Senior RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

K2 SpaceLos Angeles, CA

seniorPosted 17 Sept 2026

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Skills in this posting

python

About the role

<div class="content-intro">K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.</div>About the Role&nbsp; We are looking for a hands-on Senior RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF and mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.

You will work closely with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware, and validation teams to characterize RF performance, validate calibration algorithms, debug complex silicon issues, and build our RF test and validation capability from the ground up.

Responsibilities&nbsp;

<ul>

<li>Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave&nbsp;silicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Develop automated RF/mmWave&nbsp;test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and&nbsp;identify&nbsp;performance gaps and root causes.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Partner with systems/DSP teams to&nbsp;validate&nbsp;RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Contribute to building the RF/mmWave&nbsp;validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test&nbsp;methodology, and automation from the ground up.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

Qualifications&nbsp;

<ul>

<li>BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.&nbsp;</li>

<li>5+ years of RF/mmWave&nbsp;silicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave&nbsp;circuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave&nbsp;test equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Ability to&nbsp;operate&nbsp;effectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

Preferred Qualifications&nbsp;

<ul>

<li>Ka-band or higher-frequency&nbsp;mmWave&nbsp;silicon characterization experience.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with wideband RF transceivers.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience&nbsp;validating&nbsp;digitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with RF probing,&nbsp;mmWave&nbsp;fixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.&nbsp;</li>

<li>Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.&nbsp;</li>

<li>SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.&nbsp;</li>

</ul>

Compensation and Benefits:&nbsp;&nbsp;

<ul>

<li>Base salary range for this role is $170,000 – $250,000 + equity in the company&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited&nbsp;to:&nbsp;knowledge and skills, education, and experience level&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>

<li>Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other&nbsp;perk

From K2 Space's careers page on Greenhouse. See the original posting. OneProfile isn't the employer and doesn't take applications; you apply on their site.

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