Firefly Aerospace · 2 months ago
Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer – RF Systems
Cedar Park, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expFirefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space. They are seeking a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer to design, develop, and integrate software defined communication systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft, while collaborating with various engineering teams.
AerospaceAir TransportationSatellite Communication
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Design and implement Software Defined Radio transceiver architectures for launch vehicles and spacecraft systems
Develop baseband DSP algorithms for real-time FPGA implementations (including modulation/demodulation, timing recovery, equalization etc.)
Develop RF front end designs operating in microwave frequencies (S, C, X bands)
Perform link budgets, interference analysis, and flight qualification of the complete radio system
Hands-on board bring up, RF /analog debug using spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes
Analyze circuit performance using EM/circuit simulation tools like AWR/Ansys HFSS
Understand and implement aerospace guidelines for development and design of electronic assemblies
Perform EEE component selection, electrical simulations and analyses to support flight, qualification, and test lab PCB assemblies
Support board and system level integration activities
Work with outside vendors and contractors when necessary to verify/improve performance against design requirements and schedule
Support design reviews by presenting design, analysis, and test results, showing component design and manufacturing meets requirements for flight
Develop test requirements and work with the Avionics test team to develop test plans and procedures to ensure compliance with design specifications
Qualification
Required
Bachelor of Science (BS) in electrical engineering or equivalent
Minimum of 5 years experience working with SDRs and RF communication systems
Competent end-to-end definition, requirement generation, block-diagram design, component selection and circuit simulations
Practical experience with digital signal processing techniques for baseband processing in SDR platforms including various modulation and demodulation techniques, including but not limited to BPSK, QPSK, FSK
Experience in model-based simulation tools commonly used in signal processing, such as Python or MATLAB
Experience utilizing hardware description languages like Verilog for custom digital interfaces and embedded systems
Hands-on experience designing RF front end circuitry including power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, switches, mixers, and filter circuits
Skilled in schematic capture and PCB layout for digital, analog, and power circuits
Proficient in design, debug, and testing of RF and analog circuits
Excellent organizational skills, and experience working with vendors
Experienced with the usage of test equipment to verify component and circuit function
Skilled at giving technical presentations to peers, management and external reviewers
Ability to work well with others, be proactive, and execute with minimal guidance
Preferred
Proficiency in utilizing SDR design platforms, such as GNU Radio, HackRF, or USRP, for signal analysis, and rapid prototyping
Experience designing communication systems in X-band frequencies
Knowledge of basic spacecraft subsystems and how avionics integrate and interface with RF communication systems
Experience with Altium schematic and PCB design software
Knowledge of environmental testing NASA GEVS / SMC-S-016
Benefits
Generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
Parental leave
Educational reimbursement
Short term disability
Flexible PTO options
Company
Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space company that develops and operates launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles for commercial mission.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$796.56MKey Investors
Northrop GrummanRPM VenturesAE Industrial Partners
2025-08-07IPO
2025-05-29Corporate Round· $50M
2024-11-12Series D· $175M
Leadership Team
Jason Kim
Chief Executive Officer
Eric Salwan
Co-Founder
Recent News
Company data provided by crunchbase