Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

CesiumAstro is seeking an RF Systems Architect to lead the definition and development of next-generation ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) RF payloads, with emphasis on radar systems, RF sensing, and wideband signal collection.

This role is highly strategic and technical, focused on end-to-end RF payload architecture—from antenna and front-end design through system-level performance, signal processing considerations, and mission integration. The ideal candidate demonstrates deep experience in phased array systems, wideband RF architectures, and space-based sensing payloads.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Define and lead system architecture for advanced ISR RF payloads, including radar and RF sensing systems for space and airborne platforms.

Translate mission objectives into end-to-end RF payload architectures, including antenna systems, RF front-end, digitization, and downstream processing.

Drive architectural trade studies across performance, SWaP, scalability, and mission constraints.

Lead concept development for wideband, multi-beam, and multi-function RF payloads, including electronically steered arrays and digital beamforming systems.

Partner with business development to shape technical strategy, support proposals, and secure new program opportunities.

Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in RF payload architecture, supporting internal reviews and customer engagements.

Guide cross-functional teams through architecture definition, prototyping, and system validation.

Stay at the forefront of emerging ISR, radar, and RF sensing technologies and incorporate advancements into product roadmaps.

Mentor engineers and establish best practices in RF system architecture and payload development.

Communicate complex technical concepts, architectures, and trade-offs to internal stakeholders and external customers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).

15+ years of professional experience in RF engineering, radar systems, or RF sensing technologies.

Demonstrated expertise in RF system design fundamentals, including link budgets, noise analysis, and RF propagation.

Strong technical background in phased array antennas, beamforming techniques, and wideband RF systems.

Experience working with RF hardware components such as antennas, LNAs, mixers, ADCs/DACs, and frequency conversion chains.

Proficiency with RF and electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, ADS, HFSS, CST, or similar).

Solid understanding of radar principles and/or signal processing techniques relevant to RF sensing applications.

Experience in aerospace, defense, or space-based systems environments.

Demonstrated technical leadership experience or progression into senior/architect-level roles.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in complex engineering environments.

Effective written and verbal communication skills for technical collaboration.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Experience contributing to or leading successful program captures and technical strategy.

Demonstrated innovation, including patents or novel RF/antenna system developments.

Experience in fast-paced, startup, or advanced development environments.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

About the company

CesiumAstro develops end-to-end space and airborne communications systems, including active phased array antennas, software-defined radios, and complete payloads. Its technology enables electronically steered beams for inter-satellite links, high-rate downlinks, lunar and deep-space communication, and 5G/NTN networks. It ships plug‑and‑play, commercially manufactured hardware and SDR software as a full-stack solution, reducing development time and cost. The company targets both government programs (NASA, DoD) and commercial space ventures, aiming to make space-based connectivity more accessible and adaptable.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$780M

Headquarters

Bee Cave, Texas

Founded

2017

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

EXIM and J.P. Morgan backed $300 million financing funds the Bee Cave factory and Texas hiring.
April 21, 2026 Missile Defense Agency work validates Skylark for national-security modernization.
The $470 million Series C gives CesiumAstro cash to industrialize manufacturing and scale deliveries through 2027.

What critics are saying

Three 2026 acquisitions create integration drag and culture clashes before 2027 product revenue lands.
CesiumAstro still depends on U.S. defense buyers, EXIM financing, and Bee Cave buildout finishing on time.
L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed can crush margins on phased-array programs; CesiumAstro loses share fast.

What makes CesiumAstro unique

CesiumAstro vertically integrates antennas, radios, semiconductors, and mission software under one roof.
Its 2026 Jariet, Vidrovr, and 1Aardvark buys deepen full-stack space-defense autonomy.
Skylark and Element target software-defined, mobile-ready links across missiles, satellites, and airborne platforms.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
401(k) Retirement Plan
Stock Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

SBIR.gov

Sep 13th, 2026

Awards | SBIR

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Aviation Week

Sep 10th, 2026

CesiumAstro secures $300M EXIM credit to consolidate US manufacturing in new 270,000-ft facility

The Export-Import Bank of the United States has signed a $300 million credit agreement with CesiumAstro, an Austin-based space and defence connectivity specialist. The agreement, announced on 9 September, aims to consolidate the company's design, manufacturing, assembly and test operations into a single 270,000-square-foot US facility currently under construction. The financing includes a $20 million revolving credit facility from JP Morgan, making it EXIM's largest loan approval under its "Make More in America" initiative. CesiumAstro is the only company to receive a second credit agreement under the programme. EXIM previously approved $185 million in financing to CesiumAstro in January 2026, later increased to $280 million. Founded in 2017, CesiumAstro recently secured a $470 million Series C funding round.

GovCon Wire

Aug 26th, 2026

CesiumAstro buys 1Aardvark to add mission software for defense space.

CesiumAstro buys 1Aardvark to add mission software for defense space. * 1Aardvark is a service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone-certified business in Manassas, Virginia * Its work covers missile defense and missile tracking programs * The deal follows CesiumAstro's purchases of Vidrovr and Jariet Technologies this year CesiumAstro has acquired 1Aardvark, adding mission software and systems engineering to a portfolio built around satellites and communications payloads. CesiumAstro announced the deal Tuesday. 1Aardvark, based in Manassas, Virginia, builds software, algorithms and systems engineering for national defense programs. It holds service-disabled veteran-owned small business and HUBZone certifications. What does 1Aardvark bring to CesiumAstro? 1Aardvark's software supports missile defense and missile tracking work. The company builds systems that enable distributed platforms to coordinate and execute missions in contested or disconnected environments. CesiumAstro expects the pairing to yield spacecraft that adjust to changing conditions and keep operating when connectivity degrades. Shey Sabripour, founder and CEO of CesiumAstro, said defense space systems increasingly require software that can adapt and make decisions. According to Ryan Kenward, president of 1Aardvark, joining CesiumAstro extends the company's work pushing mission capability to the edge. How does the deal fit CesiumAstro's acquisition strategy? The 1Aardvark deal lands days after CesiumAstro closed its purchase of Jariet Technologies, a semiconductor firm focused on millimeter-wave radio frequency system-on-chip designs. That deal gave the company in-house chip capability to pair with its phased-array antenna and payload work. The company also acquired Vidrovr in March, an AI firm specializing in real-time multimodal signal analysis. Vidrovr co-founder Joe Ellis oversees integration of machine learning tools into the CesiumAstro portfolio. CesiumAstro closed a $470 million Series C round in February and took $200 million in Export-Import Bank financing in January to acquire a 270,000-square-foot West Austin facility.

Noah Business Intelligence

Aug 25th, 2026

CesiumAstro's latest acquisition enhances resilience and integration for government space missions

CesiumAstro’s purchase of Virginia-based 1Aardvark advances its strategy to deliver more resilient, software-defined communications and onboard systems for government missions, strengthening its position in the defence...

BISinfotech

Aug 13th, 2026

CesiumAstro acquires Jariet Technologies for defense capabilities

CesiumAstro acquires Jariet Technologies, expanding semiconductor capabilities across SATCOM, electronic warfare, radar and space systems.

CesiumAstro

RF Systems Architect

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