Principal RF Front End Designer

We're Hiring: Principal RF Front End Designer - Satellite Payloads Abu Dhabi, UAE | Full-Time | Space & Defense Sector Apply at : Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Principal RF Front-End Designer to lead the architecture, design, and qualification of RF front-end subsystems for satellite payloads. This role covers end-to-end RF design across commercial and defense satellite missions, spanning wide range of satellite platforms, and operating across multiple frequency bands. The candidate will own RF front-end performance from antenna interface to ADC/DAC, ensuring compliance with mission, regulatory, and space-environment requirements. Key Responsibilities: RF Architecture & Design Architect and design satellite RF front-end chains including: LNAs, PAs, mixers, filters, duplexers, switches Frequency converters, synthesizers, PLLs, LO distribution Define link budgets, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, EVM, and spurious performance Support multi-band and reconfigurable RF architectures Trade-off analog vs digital partitioning in payload design Payload Integration Interface RF front-end with: Antennas and beamforming networks SDRs, FPGAs, SoCs, and RFICs Support both transparent and regenerative payload architectures Collaborate with antenna, digital, power, thermal, and mechanical teams Space Qualification & Reliability Design for space environment constraints: Radiation (TID, SEE) Thermal cycling Vacuum and mechanical stress Select space-grade or qualified components Support EMI/EMC, grounding, shielding, and isolation strategies Verification & Testing Lead RF validation: RF performance testing (S-parameters, NF, ACPR, IMD) Environmental testing (TVAC, vibration) Support AIT (Assembly, Integration & Test) and on-orbit commissioning Define production test strategies for flight hardware Technical Leadership Act as technical authority for RF payload design decisions Review supplier designs and external RF subsystems Contribute to system-level reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) Required Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in RF / Microwave Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field 10+ years experience in RF front-end design, with direct satellite or space hardware exposure Proven experience across LEO, MEO, GEO, or deep-space missions Strong background in: RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST) Lab instrumentation (VNA, VSA, VSG) Deep understanding of: RF impairments, linearity, noise, phase noise Space qualification standards and best practices Preferred Experience Experience with military or secure satellite payloads Multi-beam, phased-array, or beam-steered RF systems High-power RF design and thermal management Experience working with international suppliers and foundries Familiarity with regulatory environments (ITU, spectrum coordination) Note: Sponsorship is available for qualified candidates