Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

Job description

ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: - Role: Senior Radio Frequency Engineer - Department: Space Systems - Location: Valencia, Spain - Reports to: Engineering Manager, Space Systems - Working type: Hybrid - Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required) THE MISSION OF THE SENIOR RADIO FREQUENCY ENGINEER As Senior RF Engineer, you will be at the heart of designing and advancing the next generation of ICEYE's satellites — pushing the boundaries of what small sensing satellites can achieve. Working closely with cross-functional engineering teams, you will own the design, testing, and continuous improvement of satellite RF and microwave hardware, from PCB design and component selection to link budget analysis and advanced measurements. When things go wrong, you will be the one to diagnose why — conducting root-cause analysis and providing hands-on technical support for an ever-expanding fleet of operational satellites in orbit. WHO ARE WE? ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE's world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world's largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy – day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits. As a trusted partner for defense, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE's near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, Japan, the UAE, Greece, Germany, and the US. The company has more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES: - You will work closely with engineers from other domains to design a new generation of satellites and ensure continuous improvements of them. - Your responsibilities will include designing and testing satellite RF hardware, tackling the challenges inherent in the new space engineering approach, and pushing the boundaries of what small sensing satellites can achieve. - You will also be involved in the design of both passive and active microwave systems, and provide technical support for our expanding fleet of satellites. If you're ready to take on these exciting challenges, we’d love to have you on board. REQUIREMENTS: MUST HAVE SKILLS - Master's degree in Radio/RF/Communications/Signal/Electrical engineering. - 5 years+ of experience in RF and microwave engineering (including PCB board design, link budget, component selection). - Familiar how to use common measurement equipment and skilled to do advanced measurements. - Proficient problem-solving and debugging skills. Capability to tackle unconventional tasks and problems. - Ability to perform root-cause analysis on failures. - Ability to communicate clearly in English (written and spoken). - Ability to work independently, but also a co-operative team player. - Suits well in a multicultural environment. - Capability to drive a new project from the technical side, facing unknown issues and collaborating with people from different domains to solve it. - Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills. - Willingness to be involved in the whole life cycle of the satellite NICE TO HAVE SKILLS - Prior experience in aerospace systems. - Prior experience with high frequency (5+ GHz) systems. - Capability to manage basic projects. - Prior experience in Altium, CST, Python. APPLICATION PROCESS - Talent Acquisition Interview - Hiring Manager Interview - Technical Interview (onsite or virtual), including a Technical Challenge - Hiring Team Interview - Offer Decision WORKING AT ICEYE At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale-up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win. HOW WE WORK (OUR VALUES) Make the impossible possible: We set ambitious goals and stay calm under pressure. We bring grit, optimism, and ownership when things get hard, and we keep moving until we find a way. - Be curious: Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the “why” behind decisions. - See the big picture: Stay close to what’s happening across the company so you can make better decisions. Consider how your work affects others. - Drive effective teamwork: Create psychological saf