Skip to content

RF & Payloads

Staff RF Embedded Software Engineer

Impulse Space logoImpulse Space$170,000–$210,000/yrRedondo Beach, CaliforniaFull-timePosted today

This role falls under U.S. export rules, so the posting asks for U.S. person status. That means a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a refugee or an asylee.

About the role

As a Staff RF Embedded Software Engineer at Impulse, your core responsibility will be to own the design, testing, and delivery of flight RF software systems for space missions anywhere from low earth orbit to mars.

Responsibilities

  • Work with a cross-disciplinary team to define and implement RF software communications requirements on a mission-by-mission basis, implement RF software architectures, and bring up RF systems
  • Development of algorithms for RF digital signal processing and calibration
  • Design and optimization of RF system control algorithms to improve performance and reliability
  • Work with ground software teams to develop and test satellite to ground data pipelines

Minimum Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in developing software for wireless systems in critical applications
  • 8+ years writing embedded C/C++ code
  • Ability to work in the lab with RF equipment including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and software defined radios
  • Proficient in testing and troubleshooting complex mixed signal boards
  • Proficient in testing RF components such as PA’s, PLL’s, LNA’s, and mixers
  • Strong understanding of the major blocks of RF signal modulation/demodulation

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Xilinx UltraScale+ board bring up and development experience
  • Experience implementing baseband software for systems using PSK, GFSK, or APSK
  • Experience with common RF protocols such as DVB-S2, and CCSDS
  • Experience writing software or firmware for a space environment (space link budgets, ground station integration, etc.)
  • Experience with GNU radio flowgraph development and troubleshooting
  • Experience in a startup or agile development environment

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here .

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Copied from the listing Impulse Space published, verified 30 Oct 2026.

About Impulse Space

Transfer vehicles that carry satellites past the orbit their rocket leaves them in.

Similar open roles

Experienced in RF, Communications & Payloads?

Space employers come to us looking for a particular skill, location or credential. Leave your details one time, at no cost, and we put you forward when a role matches, never without your yes.

Create my profile

Impulse Space openings, sent to your inbox

Each week we send what Impulse Space posted since the last email, with comparable openings at other space companies. No cost, and you can stop it with one click.

Hiring for Impulse Space? Feature this role to get a marked Featured slot above the lists and the lead place in the weekly job email for 30 days. Pricing:$99 for a single role, or $299 to cover every role you have open. To see who else is hiring your disciplines and at what pay, read the monthly space hiring brief.