Feeny
wardstone.space

RF Sensing Engineer at wardstone.space (El Segundo, CA)

wardstone.space· El Segundo, CA· $100k–$160k·

Role details

Salary
$100k–$160k
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full-Time

Job description

Overview

Wardstone is looking for an RF Seeker Engineer to own our entire radar sensing system, from RF front-end integration and signal processing to real-time target tracking. You will work at the intersection of radar hardware, digital signal processing, embedded systems, and interceptor guidance. This role is central to Wardstone’s mission: your system determines whether our interceptor knows exactly where to strike. You will work directly with founders, build RF test rigs, run high-speed experiments, and ship seeker systems into hardware that performs real intercepts.

What You’ll Do

  • RF & Radar System Integration: Own radar sensor selection, antenna integration, Tx/Rx chain analysis, and high-speed data interfaces (e.g., PCIe, high-speed ADCs/DACs) within the avionics architecture.
  • Real-Time Signal Processing: Build low-latency processing pipelines capable of tracking high-speed objects, including Doppler processing, CFAR algorithms, range-Doppler mapping, and clutter/ECM rejection.
  • Sensor Fusion & Estimation: Fuse radar track data with IMU, GPS, and onboard state estimators using EKF/UKF filters to build highly accurate perception-to-guidance interfaces for closed-loop control.
  • Verification & Validation: Design RF test rigs and conduct hardware-in-the-loop tests using anechoic chambers, radar scene generators, RCS reference targets, and flight dynamics models.

Required Qualifications

  • Education & Core Knowledge: B.S. in EE, Physics, Aerospace, or similar, with deep proficiency in radar physics, electromagnetics, and noise modeling.
  • Algorithms & Software: Strong background in digital signal processing (DSP), filtering, and programming (C++/Python), with experience implementing real-time radar detection and tracking.
  • Hardware & Testing: Hands-on experience testing radar architectures (FMCW, Pulsed Doppler, AESA) using RF lab equipment like Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs, and Oscilloscopes.
  • Working with Suppliers: Experience sourcing components and performing make vs buy analysis.
  • US Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Nice to Haves

  • Domain Expertise: Background in missile seekers, high-speed air-to-air systems, counter-ballistic radar tracking, or electronic warfare (EW) resilience.
  • Compute Acceleration: Experience with FPGA-based signal processing (VHDL/Verilog) or GPU acceleration for heavy radar pipelines.
  • Electromagnetics: Familiarity with antenna array design, beamforming, radome EM integration, or atmospheric RF attenuation.
  • Simulation: Knowledge of radar cross-section (RCS) modeling, synthetic target generation, and MIL-STD high-G testing environments.

Why work at wardstone.space

  • Mission-driven: Direct impact on national security and countering hypersonic threats.
  • Early-stage startup: Opportunity to shape the company’s technology and culture from the ground up.
  • Engineering focus: Roles span mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, GNC, simulation, and sensing.
  • Compensation & equity: Competitive salaries ($100k–$160k for engineers) plus equity grants.
  • Location: El Segundo, CA — a growing aerospace startup hub near LA Air Force Base and Space Force facilities.
  • Work environment: Likely on-site/hybrid (El Segundo office); YC alumni culture with fast iteration and hands-on testing (e.g., Mojave flight tests).

Application questions