Joblaze summary

In the role of Senior RF Electrical Engineer at Northwood Space, the individual will focus on designing and developing Ka-band high power amplifiers for satellite communications, overseeing the entire process from architecture to production. Key skills include hands-on experience with RF hardware design, proficiency in simulation tools, and familiarity with testing equipment. This position is suited for a seasoned engineer with over five years of experience in RF design, particularly in microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies. Northwood's innovative approach to space infrastructure emphasizes collaboration across engineering disciplines to deliver impactful solutions.

Joblaze insights

Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze October 31, 2026. Last confirmed on Northwood Space's careers page October 31, 2026.
Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,600).
Starts above 36% of 25 comparable senior other roles in United States that list RF we track (median $165,000 across 8 companies).
RF appears in 1.9% of 2597 comparable senior other roles in United States; Electromagnetic Simulation appears in 0.1% of 2597 comparable senior other roles in United States.

Quick facts

What's the salary range?: Northwood Space lists $140,000–$226,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Senior RF Electrical Engineer (Amplifiers) role.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Circuit Simulation, Electromagnetic Simulation, Ka-band, RF, Thermal management, high power amplifiers.
Does Northwood Space sponsor work visas for this role?: Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
What seniority level is this role?: Northwood Space targets senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Senior RF Electrical Engineer (Amplifiers) role at Northwood Space.

From the original posting

Role:

As a Senior Electrical Engineer (RF), you will own Ka-band high power amplifier design for Prism, Northwood's 2.4-meter parabolic antenna for high-throughput satellite links. You will take amplifiers from architecture through prototype, characterization, and production, working closely with antenna, mechanical, thermal, and test engineers. This is a senior individual contributor role for someone who has designed, built, and debugged high power RF hardware at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies.

Responsibilities:

Design Ka-band high power amplifiers for Prism, from line-up and architecture through schematic, layout, and hardware bring-up

Develop power combining approaches that scale output power while protecting efficiency, linearity, and reliability

Build electromagnetic and circuit simulation models (amplifier stages, matching networks, combiners, transitions) to design and evaluate performance before hardware

Design supporting circuitry, including bias and sequencing, power conditioning, protection, monitoring, and digital control interfaces

Own thermal and packaging considerations for high-dissipation RF hardware in partnership with mechanical and thermal engineers

Characterize amplifier performance (output power, compression, PAE, linearity, spurious, stability) and troubleshoot integrated transmit chain performance

Drive designs through reliability testing and into production, including test definition and manufacturing support

Support integration and field troubleshooting of deployed Prism units

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering discipline

5+ years of RF hardware design experience

Hands-on experience designing and building power amplifiers at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies (Ku-band or higher)

Experience taking RF hardware from design through bring-up, characterization, and debug in the lab

Proficiency with RF and EM simulation tools (such as Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, Ansys HFSS, or CST)

Comfort with RF test equipment, including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power meters

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on RF or microwave design

Ka-band solid state power amplifier (SSPA) or block upconverter (BUC) design for satellite communications

GaN MMIC-based amplifier design, including device selection, matching, stability analysis, and bias networks

Power combiner design, including waveguide, spatial, or planar approaches

Waveguide component and transition design, including waveguide-to-microstrip transitions, rotary joints, and feeds

Thermal management and packaging for high power RF electronics

Linearity and modulated signal performance (IMD, ACPR, EVM, spectral regrowth), including linearization techniques

Satcom transmit compliance, including emission masks and regulatory limits

Design for manufacturing, production test development, and reliability qualification

Compensation:

RF Hardware/Level 3: $140,000-$175,000

RF Hardware/Level 4: $152,000-$190,000

RF Hardware/Level 5: $180,000-$226,000

Standard company text repeated across Northwood Space's postings is omitted here.

Senior RF Electrical Engineer (Amplifiers)

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