Full-Time

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

Spire

Spire

501-1,000 employees

Satellite data and analytics for maritime

No salary listed

Glasgow, UK

Hybrid

Three days in-office per week required.

Category
Electrical Engineering
Hardware Engineering
Required Skills
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Altium

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Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications, Microwave or RF Electronics Engineering; Master of Science degree or Doctor of Philosophy in the same or related field is acceptable.
  • Five or more years of working experience in design, development and testing of RF systems.
Responsibilities
  • Contribute proactively to the design and development of RF subsystems for the next generation of satellite communication, navigation or RF monitoring systems.
  • Select components and perform circuit level design using printed circuit board software (Altium preferred) and perform simulations (CST, ADS preferred) where required, including transceivers for Ultra High Frequency, S-band, X-band and Ka-band.
  • Manage RF modules through production and test.
  • Conduct RF module testing and fault finding at bench level, environmental level (electromagnetic compatibility and thermal vacuum testing) and spacecraft level.
  • Lead RF testing, validation, and space qualification efforts for new and existing systems.
  • Develop test plans and operational procedures.
  • Provide technical consultancy support to software engineering, payloads, satellite operations, and manufacturing teams.
Desired Qualifications
  • Strong background in high-frequency RF systems (for example Ku-band and Ka-band).
  • End-to-end RF system analysis, simulation, and optimization.
  • Knowledge of frequency spectrum management.
  • Knowledge of state-of-the-art RF analog and high-speed digital signal processing techniques and technologies using Xilinx/AMD MPSoC/RFSoC.
  • Passive and active antenna design and antenna measurement techniques.
  • Experience of power supply design and electromagnetic interference mitigation techniques.
  • Experience of digital circuit design including microcontroller, field-programmable gate array and high-speed transceivers.

Spire Global collects and analyzes satellite data to provide real-time information for maritime tracking, weather forecasting, and global intelligence. It uses a constellation of nanosatellites to observe ship positions and weather, then downlinks data that is processed into insights delivered through APIs and data licenses. It differentiates itself with broad, real-time coverage from a large network of small satellites and API-centric data products for easy integration. Its goal is to help customers optimize operations, improve safety, and support decision-making across shipping, weather, and government intelligence.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Tysons, Virginia

Founded

2012

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Schaeffler partnership targets €250M revenue by 2030, securing European supply chains and defense satellite platforms.
  • Amadeus IT Group integrated Spire’s ADS-B data into live Virtual Airport Operations Center for global flight visibility.
  • NOAA awarded $4M HyMS payload contract in 2026, expanding total NOAA contracts to $27.6M under Space as a Service.

What critics are saying

  • Q1 2026 cash burn reached $26.2M with negative full-year EBITDA of $26M to $20.7M, risking liquidity without new capital.
  • Orbital Insight and Ursa Space Systems compete directly in RF intelligence and maritime tracking, threatening core revenue within 6–12 months.
  • NOAA HyMS contract lacks long-term commitment despite 2026 guidance, creating high delay risk for revenue assumptions through 2027.

What makes Spire unique

  • Spire operates 240+ satellites since 2013, delivering real-time RF, weather, and maritime data via APIs.
  • Its HyMS sensor validates 1,000+ hyperspectral microwave channels, outperforming ECMWF sub-seasonal forecasts by 14.2%.
  • Dual-continent manufacturing in Munich and U.S. enables 300–400 satellite annual capacity for sovereign defense missions.

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Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Professional Development Budget

Mental Health Support

Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
Executive Mosaic
Jun 1st, 2026
Spire Global, Schaeffler advance European space & defense collaboration.

Spire Global, Schaeffler advance European space & defense collaboration. * Spire Global and Schaeffler are teaming up to build satellite systems and sensing technologies to boost Europe's space capabilities * The partnership will prioritize securing spacecraft supply chains and developing scalable satellite platforms * Schaeffler will lead precision manufacturing efforts while Spire brings satellite design, software and operational expertise Spire Global, a provider of satellite data, analytics and intelligence, has signed a memorandum of understanding with motion technology company Schaeffler to jointly develop spacecraft subsystems, satellite platforms and sensing technologies to support Europe's sovereign space capabilities. Global efforts to strengthen space industrial capabilities are accelerating innovation across the air and space sectors. Discussions on emerging technologies, modernization and future mission challenges will take center stage at the Potomac Officers Club's 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. Sign up now. What areas will Schaeffler & Spire prioritize? Spire said Wednesday the partnership will focus on securing and scaling spacecraft subsystem supply chains and evaluating industrialized satellite bus platforms for constellation programs. Schaeffler will handle precision manufacturing scale-up, while Spire will provide platform architecture, flight software and operational expertise. The companies said the effort will support defense, weather, civil security and critical infrastructure missions. Why is the partnership significant for Europe's space industry? The companies aim to establish a sovereign European space hardware and mission enterprise by the end of the decade, supporting broader efforts to strengthen Europe's space-industrial capabilities. The partnership will also support Schaeffler's expansion into the space sector and Spire's manufacturing growth in Europe. Spire opened a satellite manufacturing facility in Munich in May 2025 and said the collaboration will expand its access to European defense and government customers. As part of its Strategic Ambition 2035 strategy, Schaeffler has designated the space and defense sectors as key areas for future expansion. Spire said it has deployed more than 240 satellites since 2013 and can currently produce 300 to 400 satellites each year at its manufacturing sites in Europe and the U.S. Aside from its recent partnership with Schaeffler, Spire has continued expanding its work with European government and infrastructure customers. In 2024, the company partnered with Thales and the European Satellite Services Provider to develop a satellite-based air traffic management service and secured contracts with the European Maritime Safety Agency to support global ship-tracking operations.

Intellectia.AI
Apr 9th, 2026
Spire Global raises $70M in private placement to expand space-based data services

Spire Global has secured $70 million in a private placement. The company operates a satellite constellation that provides space-based data and analytics, offering weather intelligence, aircraft tracking and security detection services globally. Spire Global builds and operates satellites that observe earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The company also offers space-as-a-service solutions, allowing customers to leverage its infrastructure for their own operations, alongside research and development services for satellite technologies. The firm maintains operations across the United States, Canada, Luxembourg and other locations.

Business Wire
Apr 7th, 2026
Spire integrates satellite soil moisture data with 45-day weather forecasts for agriculture intelligence

Spire Global has launched an expanded agriculture intelligence offering that integrates soil moisture data with weather forecasting capabilities. The solution combines over 40 years of historical records, daily satellite observations, site-specific forecasts extending up to 45 days, and AI-driven sub-seasonal guidance. The system uses proprietary Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation and reflectometry data to provide near real-time global soil moisture observations. It can identify early signs of crop stress up to a week before visible canopy damage, enabling more efficient irrigation and water management. Delivered via API, the platform allows digital farming platforms, insurers, agribusinesses and government agencies to embed environmental intelligence into operational workflows. The solution aims to reduce reliance on hardware-based sensors whilst enabling scalable deployment across global agricultural portfolios.

Business Wire
Apr 1st, 2026
Spire Global launches satellite with diamond quantum magnetometer to advance Earth's magnetic field measurement for NGA's MagQuest Challenge

Spire Global has launched a satellite as part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's MagQuest Challenge, which offers multi-million-dollar prizes for advancing Earth's magnetic field measurement. The satellite, launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter 16 mission, combines Spire's infrastructure with SBQuantum's diamond quantum magnetometer system. MagQuest aims to improve efficiency and reliability of geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model, which powers navigation in mobile applications, GPS and military systems. Spire and SBQuantum will demonstrate the satellite system and provide data to NOAA and NASA for assessment over three years. The mission represents the first diamond-powered geomagnetic data collection from low Earth orbit. Results will inform NGA's acquisition strategy for global magnetic field data collection capabilities.

Glasgow City of Science and Innovation
Mar 31st, 2026
Three Glasgow satellites successfully deployed in major SpaceX launch.

Three Glasgow satellites successfully deployed in major SpaceX launch. 31/03/2026 Three satellites built in Glasgow have successfully launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-16 mission, marking a significant milestone for the city's growing space sector. Developed by Spire Global and AAC Clyde Space, the satellites highlight Glasgow's strength in spacecraft manufacturing and satellite communications, reinforcing its position as Europe's leading city for small-satellite production. The mission was backed by funding from the UK Space Agency through the European Space Agency's Pioneer Programme, part of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, which supports emerging UK companies to become mission providers. One of the satellites, launched by Spire Global UK, is testing optical inter-satellite link (ISL) technology, using high-speed laser crosslinks to reduce data latency. The innovation is designed to support near-real-time data delivery for aviation, maritime, weather and space weather services. Meanwhile, two satellites developed by AAC Clyde Space form part of the xSPANCION project, delivered in collaboration with partners including University of Strathclyde and the Satellite Applications Catapult. The project demonstrates the UK's capability in high-volume, low-cost satellite manufacturing and operations. These satellites will contribute to AAC Clyde Space's VIREON(TM) constellation, designed to provide space-enabled insights for agriculture, forestry and environmental management, supporting decision-making for governments and industry. The launch underscores the growing importance of satellite communications across both civil and defence applications, from broadband connectivity to secure communications. The UK Space Agency has committed more than £600m to satellite communications research and development, alongside new funding through its Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme. Together, the missions strengthen UK capability across advanced communications technologies, manufacturing and operations - while showcasing Glasgow as a global hub for next-generation space innovation.