RF Engineer, Senior (Level III) - Secret clearance

Job ID: 706181BR Date posted: Sep. 25, 2025 Program: FBM Eastern Range - Data and Reduction Center (DARC)
Description:Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security, and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire, and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.

At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we’re reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.

Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you

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Come join the Lockheed Martin Space Radio Frequency (RF) Talent Center (RFTC) team and shape the future!
You can join our mission and contribute to challenging programs in support of Space Vehicles, Hypersonics, Human Space Flight and Interplanetary Missions, Missile Defense, and more.

The Senior RF Engineer role will be located at the Eastern Range and will be responsible for:
• Analyzing RF hardware to validate performance characteristics and ensure compliance with requirements, release documentation, and supporting programs through flight test to ensure performance integrity and mission success.
• Supporting life cycle considerations including cost analysis, reliability, maintainability, and obsolescence management.
• Preferred candidates will bring deep expertise in range telemetry system operation, including experience with ground station architectures, link analysis, and trade studies. A strong working knowledge of RF communication theory, electromagnetic propagation, modulation techniques, and signal analysis across S- through X-band is highly valued. Proficiency with industry-standard test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, and power meters is essential.

Additional skills that will set you apart include:
• Familiarity with IRIG standards and telemetry data formatting
• Experience with Vista TEC™ software and telemetry decommutation programming
• Demonstrated ability to conduct CAIV analyses and manage cost and schedule commitments
• Expertise in developing RF system architectures spanning antennas, transmitters, receivers, amplifiers, and conversion elements

Successful applicants typically possess 3+ years of related experience and may have a post-secondary degree or training in a related discipline
Basic Qualifications:
Required Skills:
• Demonstrated ability to design, layout, prototype, and test RF telemetry systems
• Ability to analyze and test RF hardware to verify performance characteristics
• Firm understanding of RF fundamental principles and test & measurement systems
• Ability to provide inputs to product development for release documentation and support manufacturing during the deliverable assembly and test phases of system implementation
• Ability to communicate and coordinate with subcontracts & Program Management
• Ability to lead informational tours and present technical information
• Demonstrated ability to identify and track RF Technical Performance Measurements (TPMs)
• Understands and can support Life Cycle Cost analysis, reliability, availability, obsolescence, and maintainability analysis

Security Clearance / Work Authorization:
• To meet requirements of the program/customer, this position requires the selected employee to be a U.S. Citizen.
• Qualified applicants must possess at minimum a currently Active Secret security clearance to be considered.
• Selected candidates will be required to obtain, and maintain, a government issued Top Secret for long term employment on this program.
Desired Skills:
• Knowledge of telemetry decommutation including the ability to program hardware for telemetry decommutation
• Familiarity with telemetry ground station architectures and equipment
• Demonstrate understanding of current IRIG standards
• History working with L3Harris’ Vista TEC™ software
• Ability to perform RF system/subsystem/component trade studies and Cost as An Independent Variable (CAIV) analysis
• Perform link analysis and optimization, including effects of propagation medium and possible interference sources
• Capable of Developing RF system/subsystem architectures consisting of Antennas, RF transmitters/receivers, low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, RF conversion elements, transmission line equipment, etc.
• Ability to develop and allocate RF system/ subsystem functional and performance requirements
• Firm knowledge and understanding of:
- Analog Communication
- Digital Modulation, specifically; Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM) and Shaped Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (SOQPSK) modulation
- Bit error detection and correction
- Signal analysis in both Frequency and Time domains
- Electromagnetic wave propagation theory
- Fluency and understanding of RF signal strength when expressed in dB & dBm
- Ability to collect and analyze measurements on RF metrology i.e. Vector Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, RF power meters, Oscilloscopes, etc…
- Wireless communication analysis in S-band through X-band
- Multipath propagation
• Demonstrated knowledge of the following Telemetry principles:
- Telemetry Data formatting (PCM stream, SOQPSK stream, etc…)
- Ability to perform bit-synchronous operations
- Knowledge of telemetry commutation & decommutation
- Understanding of Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Eb/N0, Bit error rate, and their role in assessing telemetry system performance
• Cost account management experience and a demonstrated ability understand and manage cost and schedule
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Top Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 9x80 every other Friday off
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.

With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.

If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: SPACE
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: RF Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First