Microwave Radiometer RF Architect

About the role

A Microwave Radiometer RF Architect position is open at Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe (Madrid). The selected candidate joins the Microwave Instrument Engineering Team, a multidisciplinary department leading spaceborne Earth Observation payload engineering. The role defines and drives the RF system architecture for microwave and millimetre-wave radiometer payloads across current and next-generation satellite missions, steering design from early concept and TRL maturation through payload verification, ground testing and in-orbit commissioning support.

Key responsibilities

• Define baseline architectures for spaceborne radiometer payloads (L-band up to sub-THz) and lead trade-offs between RF performance, mass, DC power and thermal constraints.
• Design and optimise high-sensitivity low-noise receivers, RF front-ends and calibration subsystems, keeping end-to-end budgets for noise figure, noise temperature, dynamic range and sensitivity.
• Develop high-fidelity electromagnetic and circuit simulations with tools such as Keysight ADS, CST Studio and ANSYS HFSS.
• Generate and maintain Verification Control Documents, lead TRL assessments and set ground support equipment specifications.
• Steer payload assembly, integration and testing, environmental validation campaigns and in-orbit commissioning roadmaps in line with ECSS standards.
• Represent RF engineering at ESA/customer milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, TRB) and lead the technical baseline for future Earth Observation instrument proposals.

Required profile

• MSc or PhD in Telecommunications, Electrical, RF/Microwave Engineering or Physics.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in remote sensing microwave instrument design and payload development for space applications.
• Advanced English (written and spoken); fluent Spanish is valuable, French or German desirable.
• Proven technical leadership, ability to interface with external customers and autonomy in multi-project environments.
• Nice to have: knowledge of ESA development lifecycles and standards (ECSS, MIL-STD, CCSDS), hands-on RF flight equipment testing and requirements management tools (IBM DOORS), and a track record in satellite hardware qualification and international consortia.

Required skills

• Passive microwave sensing, brightness/noise temperature theory and calibration topologies
• Active/passive antenna interfaces
• RF simulation suites: Keysight ADS, CST Studio, ANSYS HFSS

What we offer

• Permanent position with an attractive salary and hybrid working where possible.
• Vacation days plus additional days off, collective transport service, and on-site facilities such as a canteen, kindergarten and medical office.
• Life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan or study grants, and upskilling opportunities.