Lead System Architect

Lead Antenna System Architect ( Phased Arrays )

Location: Redmond, WA

Salary: up to $275,000 Gross Per Annum + Equity grants + Comprehensive benefits package

About the Company:

You’ll join a venture-backed, early-stage space technology company based in the Seattle area, breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. The company’s technology centers on a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for spaceborne applications, including earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as advanced defense missions such as ground and air target tracking.

This is an outstanding opportunity to work on novel, cutting-edge technology that is pushing the boundaries of Geospatial Intelligence as we know it today. About the Role The company is seeking a Lead Antenna System Architect to lead the development of its radar antenna systems.

You’ll be responsible for developing high-frequency and millimeter-wave electronically scanned antenna systems in collaboration with diverse engineering disciplines.

This position requires a strong, self-driven engineer capable of working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts, and will have the drive and discipline to complete projects independently and on time.

Day to day, you’ll:

• Assist the multidisciplinary team in translating radar performance requirements into electronically steered antenna system requirements; own electronically scanned array architecture and requirements.

• Architect and develop proof-of-concept systems or prototypes for next-generation antennas.

• Lead advanced definition and selection of antenna system components to enable key antenna and radar system-level performance metrics, including gain, bandwidth, side-lobe performance, polarization purity, power consumption, power handling, manufacturability, and cost. • Analyze measured performance of electronically scanned antenna systems, compare to modeled performance, and conduct root-cause analysis of performance deltas.

• Develop, refine, and integrate antenna system-level modeling capabilities, working with other system engineers to build full system models that predict overall radar system performance and support system-level optimization.

• Lead development of antenna control and calibration methods and algorithms in collaboration with FPGA, DSP, software, mechanical, and RF engineers to achieve required performance across environmental and lifetime operating conditions.

• Drive technical problem solving, data reviews, and system maturation from early prototypes through flight-ready products.

• Develop internal analysis tools and scripts to iterate on the antenna system design space.

• Mentor other engineers, engage in team building, and contribute to recruiting, interviewing, and hiring efforts to support team growth.

Your background:

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or a related discipline.

• 10+ years of RF/antenna development, including electronically scanned arrays for radar or communications.

• Strong array theory: impedance matching, coupling, polarization, electronic scan behavior, and hybrid beamforming.

• Proven track record of designing creative antenna systems that successfully balance multidisciplinary engineering requirements.

• Familiarity with high-density PCB-based antenna design and fabrication.

• Experience with phased-array design principles and digital beamforming (DBF).

• Proficiency with 3D electromagnetic simulation tools (HFSS, CST, FEKO).

• Proficiency with Python/MATLAB for custom analysis tools, frameworks, and scripts.

• High-frequency/mmW PCB antennas, feeds, waveguide/passives, prototyping, and strong cross-functional ownership.

• Demonstrated ownership of complex technical challenges from concept through implementation, validation, and deployment.

It’s a bonus if you also bring spaceborne phased array/radar antenna design, spacecraft integration, and environmental qualification experience, radar experience (especially SAR, GMTI/AMTI, performance analysis, high-power RF, or digital beamforming).

This role requires U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or refugee/asylee status, and eligibility to obtain and hold an active U.S. DoD Top Secret/SCI security clearance.