Director – Radar Payloads
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Before you apply
SalaryNo pay range posted
LocationRedmond, WA
Work modeon-site
Typefull-time
SeniorityDirector
Experience10+ yrs
DepartmentTechnical Engineering
Company size51–200 people
PostedAug 25, 2026 · 2mo ago
Verified live23h ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline
10+ years of experience developing complex RF, radar, communications, or space payload hardware
Demonstrated experience as a senior/principal technical leader owning architecture and delivery of multidisciplinary payload or RF systems
6+ years of engineering leadership/management experience leading multidisciplinary teams
Deep technical expertise in radar system architecture and performance
Deep technical expertise in RF/microwave systems
Deep technical expertise in electronically-steered/phased-array antennas
Deep technical expertise in RF front-ends
Deep technical expertise in high-speed digital/FPGA processing
Deep technical expertise in mixed-signal electronics
Deep technical expertise in timing/synchronization
Deep technical expertise in power electronics
Strong system-level understanding of embedded firmware/software
Strong system-level understanding of PCB design
Strong system-level understanding of signal/power integrity
Strong system-level understanding of EMI/EMC
Strong system-level understanding of mechanical/thermal design
Strong system-level understanding of spacecraft electrical/mechanical interfaces
Proven success taking complex flight hardware from architecture and design through integration, environmental qualification, acceptance testing, manufacturing handoff, and spacecraft/field deployment
Demonstrated ownership of technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, resource planning, supplier execution, and cross-functional delivery for complex engineering programs
Excellent communication skills, with ability to clearly present technical findings and collaborate effectively across engineering functions
Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance
MS or PhD preferred
Experience with electronically-steered or phased-array radar systems
Familiarity with space-qualified component selection, radiation-tolerant design, COTS-to-space qualification, reliability engineering, and fault-tolerant payload architectures
Familiarity with radar system modeling and simulation, RF/antenna tools, radar/link budgets, signal-processing performance analysis, and thermal/structural analyses
Experience planning and executing qualification and acceptance programs for space hardware and familiarity with applicable standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, and MIL-STD-461
Experience in defense contracting environments or ISR/target-tracking radar missions
Prior work in small, fast-iteration aerospace teams
U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
Skills
RF
microwave
antenna
FPGA
radar
SAR
About the company
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.
About the role
Kapta is seeking a Director - Radar Payloads to own end-to-end development and delivery of Kapta’s spaceborne electronically-steered radar payloads. This leader directs multidisciplinary teams spanning RF/microwave, antennas, digital/FPGA, firmware/software, power, mechanical/thermal, systems, AI&T, and manufacturing. The Director is accountable for technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, qualification, spacecraft integration, and delivery, and is a key interface to customers, suppliers, partners, and program leadership. This role requires a hands-on leader who drives rapid technical decisions and execution in a fast-paced environment.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts, and will have the drive and discipline to complete projects independently and on time. Kapta Space recognizes that strong candidates come from diverse backgrounds; if you bring relevant experience and the capacity to grow into this role, we encourage you to apply.
Role
•
Own radar payload architecture and technical baseline across the electronically-steered aperture, RF front-ends, digital/FPGA processing, timing, power, thermal/mechanical, and control electronics.
•
Lead full payload lifecycle execution from requirements and architecture through design reviews, prototype builds, qualification/acceptance, AI&T, spacecraft integration, and on-orbit checkout.
•
Recruit, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary payload team; set priorities, staffing, technical ownership, expectations, and a culture of accountability and innovation.
•
Partner with Systems Engineering, radar algorithms, software/firmware, GNC, spacecraft, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations to achieve mission-level performance.
•
Own payload V&V, calibration, and flight-readiness strategy, including RF/beam performance, timing, reliability, environmental qualification, and end-to-end radar testing.
•
With the Program Management Office, own integrated plans, budgets, schedules, technical milestones, risks/opportunities, and recovery actions to meet cost, schedule, and performance commitments.
•
Drive manufacturability, testability, reliability, cost, and production readiness; lead the transition from prototype builds to repeatable manufacturing and acceptance testing.
•
Serve as the payload technical focal point for customers, suppliers, subcontractors, spacecraft partners, and test facilities; lead reviews, trades, issue resolution, and supplier performance.
Required Qualifications
•
BS in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline; MS or PhD preferred.
•
10+ years of experience developing complex RF, radar, communications, or space payload hardware, including flight or mission-critical systems.
•
Demonstrated experience as a senior/principal technical leader owning the architecture and delivery of complex multidisciplinary payload or RF systems through major lifecycle milestones.
•
6+ years of engineering leadership/management experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including staffing, mentoring, performance management, and execution accountability.
•
Deep technical expertise in radar system architecture and performance, RF/microwave systems, electronically-steered/phased-array antennas, RF front-ends, high-speed digital/FPGA processing, mixed-signal electronics, timing/synchronization, and power electronics.
•
Strong system-level understanding of embedded firmware/software, PCB design, signal/power integrity, EMI/EMC, mechanical/thermal design, and spacecraft electrical/mechanical interfaces.
•
Proven success taking complex flight hardware from architecture and design through integration, environmental qualification, acceptance testing, manufacturing handoff, and spacecraft/field deployment.
•
Demonstrated ownership of technical performance, cost, schedule, risk, resource planning, supplier execution, and cross-functional delivery for complex engineering programs.
•
Excellent communication skills, with ability to clearly present technical findings and collaborate effectively across engineering functions.
•
Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI security clearance
Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas:
•
Experience with electronically-steered or phased-array radar systems, including beam-steering, calibration approaches and general space reliability.
•
Familiarity with space-qualified component selection, radiation-tolerant design, COTS-to-space qualification, reliability engineering, and fault-tolerant payload architectures.
•
Familiarity with radar system modeling and simulation, RF/antenna tools, radar/link budgets, signal-processing performance analysis, and thermal/structural analyses.
•
Experience planning and executing qualification and acceptance programs for space hardware and familiarity with applicable standards such as SMC-S-016, GSFC-STD-7000, and MIL-STD-461.
•
Experience in defense contracting environments or ISR/target-tracking radar missions.
•
Prior work in small, fast-iteration aerospace teams.
Concerned you do not meet all the requirements? Not a problem - please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.
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].