Level 5 RF/C2 Engineer – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Job Description

Level 5 RF/C2 Engineer – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Seniority: Level 5 RF/Network C2 Engineer

Reports To: Chief Engineer

Company Description

Purple Rhombus designs, builds, manufactures, and tests unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for U.S. government and commercial customers. Focused on producibility, Purple Rhombus aircraft are engineered for scalable manufacture, rapid deployment, and mission-ready performance. We are seeking mission-driven individuals to join the team to build the next generation of unmanned aircraft.

Position Overview

Purple Rhombus is seeking a Level 5 RF/Network C2 Engineer to serve as the technical authority for command-and-control (C2), RF communications, and network architecture across UAS platforms. This role is responsible for system-level design, integration strategy, performance ownership, and survivability of C2 architectures supporting development, flight test, production, and operational deployment. The Level 5 engineer defines C2 architecture decisions, leads waveform and spectrum strategy, ensures cyber and RF resilience in contested environments, and serves as the senior technical interface to customers, partners, and internal leadership for communications performance.

Key Responsibilities

RF / C2 Architecture and Systems Ownership

Own end-to-end RF and C2 system architecture across UAS platforms including multi-band radios, mesh networking, antennas, power configuration, and waveform selection. Define link budgets, antenna placement strategies, interference mitigation approaches, and system margins supporting LOS, BLOS, and distributed operations. Establish design standards and technical baselines ensuring scalable, production-ready communications performance.

Network Engineering, Security, and Compliance

Define and govern IP-based network architectures supporting C2, telemetry, payload data, and interoperability with tactical and joint networks. Lead encryption strategy, COMSEC alignment, key management, secure boot implementation, and cyber hardening across airborne and ground segments. Ensure compliance with government security, spectrum, and communications requirements while balancing manufacturability and operational flexibility.

Flight Test Strategy and Performance Validation

Lead planning and execution of flight test campaigns validating C2 range, latency, throughput, spectrum utilization, resilience, and degradation behavior. Direct over-the-air testing, EMI/EMC exposure assessment, and environmental performance characterization. Own corrective action strategy across RF hardware, firmware, network stack, and configuration to meet airworthiness, mission assurance, and customer acceptance criteria.

Operational Deployment and Fielded System Support

Provide senior technical leadership for operational network deployment, forward-site configuration, and mobile ground node integration. Define installation kits, antenna alignment standards, frequency deconfliction procedures, and field configuration guidance. Serve as escalation authority for contested spectrum events, C2 degradation, and mission-impacting communications failures.

Cross-Functional and External Leadership

Interface with avionics, GNC, payload, manufacturing, quality, and mission operations teams to ensure C2 integration is aligned with platform constraints and production realities. Act as primary technical interface to government customers, primes, and RF vendors. Mentor junior RF, network, and systems engineers and guide technical decision-making across programs.

Required Qualifications

Twelve or more years of RF systems, network engineering, or C2 integration experience within aerospace, defense, or advanced communications industries. Demonstrated expertise in multi-band RF systems, MIMO, mesh networking, link budget analysis, waveform selection, and advanced modulation techniques. Deep familiarity with IP network architectures, tactical networking, encryption standards, Type 1 and COMSEC handling, and cyber resilience requirements. Extensive experience leading flight test, EMI/EMC evaluation, and over-the-air datalink validation. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, RF Systems, or related technical discipline. Ability to travel to test locations, customer sites, and deployment areas.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Network Engineering, Secure Communications, or related field. Experience defining DoD waveform strategies, LPI/LPD techniques, SATCOM integration, and contested communications architectures. Prior leadership experience with DoodleLabs, Silvus, Collins, TrellisWare, or comparable tactical RF systems. Familiarity with export controls, spectrum authorization processes, and rapid acquisition programs.

Competencies and Attributes

Recognized technical authority with clear and decisive communication skills. Ability to translate RF, network, and cyber constraints into mission-level and programmatic impacts. Operates effectively under flight test tempo, operational pressure, and schedule constraints. Strong ownership mindset for communications survivability, security, and mission success across deployed systems.

Annual salary range: $155,000–$195,000

Travel: 25% per year.

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance