Senior RF Systems Engineer

Advanced Reentry Technologies Who We Are: Inversion is an aerospace and defense company pioneering advanced reentry technology to enable next-generation capabilities from space. By combining high-performance materials, precision aerodynamics, and mission-driven autonomy, Inversion is transforming reentry into an operational capability for an entirely new class of missions. The company’s highly maneuverable reentry spacecraft, Arc, is designed for rapid global cargo delivery, hypersonic testing, and other national security missions that require precise, controlled flight through the atmosphere. Arc creates an entirely new transportation domain, unlocking unprecedented speed and global reach. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Inversion designs, manufactures, and integrates its spacecraft under one roof, enabling the company to move rapidly from concept to flight. The company is backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, with customers across the U.S. government and commercial space industry. Position Overview: As an RF Systems Engineer at Inversion, you will report directly to the Manager of Arc Avionics . In this role, you will be responsible for the development, integration, and verification of the flight and ground RF/Telemetry systems for Inversion’s next-generation reentry vehicles. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of communication hardware—taking systems from initial link analysis and component selection through to radiation pattern modeling, lab testing, and live mission-readiness validation. Key Responsibilities: Develop and maintain high-fidelity communication link budgets, modeling vehicle-level antenna radiation patterns and simulating RF performance in challenging flight and atmospheric reentry environments. Perform trade studies to evaluate, select, and qualify commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom RF components, including transmitters, transceivers, Power Amplifiers (PAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), and antennas. Lead benchtop and vehicle-level RF testing using standard laboratory equipment, bridging hardware with software by supporting live end-to-end telemetry validation. Establish and test ground station networks utilizing S-band and L-band frequencies to ensure robust link margins at critical elevation angles. Partner with software, guidance and control (GNC), power, and mechanical teams to ensure optimal antenna placement, proper thermal dissipation, and structural integrity under environmental stress. Lead the gathering of technical data and generating documentation required for regulatory licensing with bodies such as the FCC, ITU, and NTIA. Design and own RF test systems and develop comprehensive test plans to qualify hardware across space and reentry environments (thermal, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC, and radiation). Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering , Computer Engineering, or equivalent…