--- title: 'Principal RF Engineer at LeoLabs, Inc.' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-rf-engineer-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-sbqfn95qgstr' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-09' --- # Principal RF Engineer at LeoLabs, Inc. - **Company:** LeoLabs, Inc. - **Location:** Menlo Park, CA - **Posted:** 2026-07-08 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/leolabsinc/jobs/4309083009 ## Job description Why LeoLabs? At LeoLabs, we’re building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions. We’re not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations. If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here. As a Principal RF Engineer, you will lead the development of the RF electronics that define the performance of our next-generation radar systems. You will own the most challenging RF design problems across multiple programs, from architecture and requirements through design, validation, and production. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems, mentoring other engineers, and delivering robust hardware that performs in demanding environments. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded software, manufacturing, and systems engineers to develop high-performance radar hardware from concept through deployment. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Menlo Park, California. Occasional travel may be required to support hardware integration and field activities. You will be responsible for: - Lead the architecture and development of RF subsystems for next-generation radar platforms - Design and analyze RF circuits including receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, filters, frequency synthesis, and antenna interfaces - Develop system-level RF budgets, cascade analyses, and performance models - Drive RF PCB design from schematic capture through layout, bring-up, validation, and production release - Perform laboratory characterization, debugging, calibration, and performance optimization using modern RF test equipment - Work closely with electrical, mechanical, embedded software, and manufacturing engineers to integrate RF hardware into complete radar systems - Conduct technical design reviews and provide mentorship to other RF engineers - Evaluate technical tradeoffs and help define the RF architecture for future radar platforms - Support manufacturing, field deployments, and root-cause investigations as products transition into production ## Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline - 12+ years of experience designing RF and microwave electronics - Deep understanding of RF system design, microwave circuit theory, and radar fundamentals - Demonstrated experience designing complex RF PCBAs from concept through production - Proficiency with Altium Designer or equivalent PCB design software - Experience with RF simulation tools such as ADS and CST - Strong laboratory skills using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related RF instrumentation - Experience developing engineering tools and automation using Python - Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. personnel security clearance ## Preferred Qualifications - Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in RF or microwave engineering - Experience designing radar, aerospace, communications, or defense electronics - Experience with phased arrays, antenna design, or beamforming systems - Experience with RF calibration, metrology, and EMI/EMC mitigation - Familiarity with PLM systems such as Arena - Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers Within 1 month, you’ll: Complete onboarding and become familiar with LeoLabs' radar architecture, development process, and RF design environment Build an understanding of current hardware programs and future product roadmap Begin contributing to ongoing RF design efforts and technical discussions Within 3 months, you’ll: - Take ownership of a major RF subsystem under active development - Lead RF design reviews and guide key architectural decisions - Drive laboratory validation and performance optimization of prototype hardware Within 6 months, you’ll: - Own the RF development of a next-generation radar subsystem from design through prototype validation - Establish yourself as the technical authority for complex RF design challenges - Mentor engineers across the RF & Electrical Engineering Team Within 12 months, you’ll: - Deliver multiple RF designs into production - Shape the RF architecture for future radar platforms - Be recognized as a technical leader whose decisions influence hardware development across the organization ## Compensation Salary offers are based on a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, and location. The base salary range for this position $260,000 + bonus + stock options + benefits All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. More information regarding ITAR can be found at DDTC’s website ## About LeoLabs, Inc. ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: LeoLabs provides persistent orbital intelligence for space domain awareness, space traffic management, and missile defense via a global, proliferated radar network and AI-powered analytics. - **Entity Type**: Private, Venture-backed (latest round: Grant-II from SpaceWERX, total raised $115M) - **Headquarters**: Menlo Park, California, United States - **Founded**: 2016 - **Founders**: Daniel Ceperley (Founder & Chief Operating Officer), John Buonocore (Founder & Chief Technology Officer), Ramsey Price (Founder & Chief Engineer) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Space domain awareness, space traffic management, missile defense, national security. - **Target customers**: Military space commands, civil government agencies (NASA, Department of Commerce), and commercial satellite operators (B2B/B2G). - **Mission/purpose statement**: “To safeguard our way of life on Earth with the living map of activity in space.” ## Products & Services - **Space Domain Awareness (SDA)**: Real-time detection, tracking, characterization, and threat assessment of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – delivered via a cloud-based, AI-enabled platform. - **Space Traffic Management (STM)**: Comprehensive data and alerts for collision avoidance, launch support, and maneuver detection. - **Launch & Operations Support**: Post-launch communications support and monitoring to protect high-value assets. - **Multi-Mission Radars**: A proliferated, rapidly deployable radar network (including fixed and mobile “Scout” class) that provides continuous, all-weather coverage. - **Object Catalog**: The most comprehensive commercial catalog of objects in LEO (~25,000 resident space objects, tracking 99.3% of the DoD’s public catalog). ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Total raised – $115M (as of latest funding round). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: SpaceWERX (U.S. Space Force), Alumni Ventures, STRATFI program, Insight Partners, Velvet Sea Ventures, and 23+ other investors. - **Growth Signals**: - U.S. Government bookings grew over 180% from 2024 to 2025, with $29.4M in contract awards (as of September 2025). - First interagency contract between U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Space Force to license LeoLabs’ Object Catalog. - Selected for NASA Space Act Agreement and the TraCSS commercial collision avoidance pathfinder. - Awarded two SpaceWERX contracts to advance next-generation radars (Indo-Pacific UHF Seeker radar and Scout mobile radar software). ## Competitive Advantages - **Proliferated, multi-mission radar network** providing persistent coverage of LEO that is resistant to denial or disruption. - **AI-powered analytics platform** delivering actionable intelligence and real-time threat alerts. - **Highest quality commercial object catalog** – tracks 99.96% of all satellites and 98.56% of debris in the DoD catalog. - **Deep government relationships** and sole-source contracts, creating a high barrier to entry for competitors. - **Leadership team** with extensive experience in space technology, astrodynamics, and global security. ## Strategic Focus - **Proliferating radar coverage** globally (e.g., new UHF Seeker radar in the Indo-Pacific, Scout mobile radar). - **Expanding interagency adoption** of its catalog for both civil safety (TraCSS) and military security missions. - **Enhancing detection of emerging threats** such as hypersonic objects and activities in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). - **Scaling commercial and international sales** with a Senior VP of International Sales already appointed. ## Why Work Here - **Meaningful Mission**: The company’s purpose is to preserve U.S. and allied advantage in space and enable the space economy. - **Culture Values** (stated): Innovation, Integrity, and Impact. - **Benefits**: Health, Dental & Vision Plans; Health Savings Account; 401(k) with Employer Match; Life and AD&D Insurance; Voluntary Disability Insurance; Flexible Spending Account. - **Work Environment**: Offices in Menlo Park, CA, plus team members worldwide. Remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated; likely office-based with some flexibility for engineering roles. - **Engineering Culture**: Described as “builders at heart” – transforming bold ideas into breakthrough capabilities, moving fast, and pushing boundaries. ## Sources 1. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/about/) 2. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/careers/) 3. [leolabs.space](https://leolabs.space/leadership/) 4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/leolabs) ## Other roles at LeoLabs, Inc. - [Strategic Sourcing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/strategic-sourcing-manager-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-b1jvtxcr9y9m) — Menlo Park, CA - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-leolabs-inc-washington-tsdwa7sa51pg) — Washington, DC - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-leolabs-inc-denver-co-or-melo-park-0agq91pyts0h) — Denver CO OR Melo Park, CA - [Manufacturing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-manager-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-ndx1s61bzfkg) — Menlo Park, CA - [Skillbridge Administrative Operations Apprentice](https://feeny.ai/job/skillbridge-administrative-operations-apprentice-leolabs-inc-remote-szxm8mkaw2f7) - [Senior Supply Planner](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-supply-planner-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-8enwy7ysf83h) — Menlo Park, CA - [Site Acquisition Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/site-acquisition-lead-leolabs-inc-remote-37sccbmyq9w8) - [Senior Solutions Engineer - EMEA](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-solutions-engineer-emea-leolabs-inc-remote-kwdhs9dn8dgx) - [R&D Procurement Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/r-d-procurement-specialist-leolabs-inc-menlo-park-xcabmh7htc7q) — Menlo Park, CA - [Senior Engineering Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineering-project-manager-leolabs-inc-remote-exhbrb2y40ra)