Principal RF/Microwave Engineer

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence.  Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta is seeking a Principal RF/Microwave Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and qualify RF and microwave hardware for our electronically-steered spaceborne radar systems. This engineer will translate radar-level requirements into high-performance, flight-ready hardware spanning transmit and receive signal chains, RF distribution networks, filtering, switching, amplification, frequency conversion, calibration, and interfaces to high-speed digital electronics. As a critical contributor to payload development, this role operates within a highly multidisciplinary environment requiring engineering trade studies and design decisions across RF performance, DC power, thermal management, reliability, manufacturability, environmental robustness, and overall payload performance. This is a hands-on principal-level individual contributor role with substantial technical authority across design, test, qualification, and production.

The ideal candidate combines deep RF/microwave theory with practical design and laboratory experience and has a track record of taking complex RF hardware from first principles through flight-ready implementation. This engineer will lead critical design decisions and reviews, exercise strong technical judgment, and work independently across a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team. Experience with coherent multi-channel receivers, transmitters, phased arrays, radar, or space/defense hardware is especially valuable.

Role

Required Qualifications

Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas:

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kapta Employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce as applicable.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email [email protected].

Compensation: USD 185,000 – 230,000 per year salary