RF Engineer - Internship

Position Overview:

As an RF Engineering Intern, you will support the verification, validation, integration, and performance characterization of flight and ground RF/Telemetry systems for Inversion’s next-generation re-entry vehicles. You will sit within the Avionics team and work closely with engineers on hands-on RF testing, antenna and GPS integration, communications system validation, and ground station compatibility efforts, helping take systems from benchtop validation through integrated hardware testing and mission-readiness verification.

You will be a member of the Avionics team, supporting the development, test, integration, and troubleshooting of critical communications hardware and systems for cutting-edge maneuverable reentry vehicles. This is a practical, lab-heavy internship for students interested in spacecraft communications, telemetry, antennas, and RF system integration in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with RF engineers and cross-functional teammates to build practical understanding of how aerospace RF and telemetry systems are developed, tested, integrated, and prepared for flight applications.
• Perform component-, subsystem-, and system-level RF test and measurement activities using standard laboratory equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Support over-the-air and antenna test activities, including range setup and validation, as needed.
• Support GPS testing and integration for the Arc vehicle.
• Support ground station compatibility testing, including potential travel to test sites.
• Help test and evaluate in-house RF hardware, including SDR-based systems.
• Collect, process, and document RF test data and support generation of test reports and summaries.
• Assist with test automation and analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master's or doctorate degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable).
• Coursework or project experience in RF, antennas, electromagnetics, or communications systems.
• Strong problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical results clearly to multidisciplinary teams.

Desired Qualifications:

• Hands-on familiarity with RF lab equipment such as a spectrum analyzer or VNA.
• Experience with Altium, HFSS, or similar RF/PCB design tools.
• Completed an RF or antenna course.
• Experience designing a circuit board.
• Experience designing a simple microwave antenna or filter.
• Hands-on experience through Formula SAE, student rocketry, CubeSat, robotics, or similar engineering projects.
• Previous internship experience at a space, aerospace, or hardware startup.
• Experience with Python or MATLAB for test automation or data analysis.
• Experience with antenna test methods.
• Familiarity with S-band and L-band communication or telemetry systems.
• Familiarity with S-parameters and their use in evaluating RF component and system performance.

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in-office presence.

_{The California annual base hourly rate for this role is currently $38-$41.  Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.}