AIT RF Operator Leader
Renens VD
Key information
- Publication date:16 December 2025
- Workload:100%
- Contract type:Permanent position
- Place of work:Avenue des Baumettes 19, 1020 Renens VD
SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.
HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact, and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has been selected by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite, by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites, and recently by Astrum Mobile to build the NEASTAR-1 satellite.
SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems for satellite communication and remote sensing applications. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.
This position is a unique opportunity to play a key role in leading the hands-on integration and testing of RF hardware for a next-generation satellite payload. As the AIT RF Operator Leader, you will guide a team of RF operators in executing precision RF hardware installation, test preparation, and issue resolution. You will be a technical reference on the ground, ensuring high standards of cleanliness, traceability, and accuracy, while fostering team capability, efficiency, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with the RF AIT Engineer and RF Lead Engineer to ensure that integration outcomes meet mission requirements, and that feedback from the ground is captured and used to improve procedures, tools, and future designs.
RF Hardware Integration
· Lead installation of RF hardware including Wave Guide (WG), coaxial lines, filters, attenuators, and RF switches per validated drawings and instructions.
· Ensure all torqueing and alignment steps are completed with precision using calibrated tools and in accordance with RF cleanliness requirements.
· Verify physical configuration of installed RF hardware against integration plans and RF test setup expectations.
Test Preparation & Support
· Coordinate and supervise RF test setup preparations including VNAs, calibration kits, loads, and measurement chains.
· Support the RF AIT Engineer in performing RF functional and performance tests.
· Ensure setup traceability and configuration integrity by guiding operators in proper documentation and visual capture of changes.
Team Leadership & Mentoring
· Train junior RF operators in technical procedures, best practices, tool usage, and safety rules related to RF integration.
· Distribute tasks efficiently, ensuring execution discipline and supporting operators as needed during hands-on activities.
· Provide performance feedback and highlight training needs or procedural gaps to AIT management.
Troubleshooting & Agile Response
· Be the first responder on the ground during RF anomalies or setup deviations.
· Help isolate root causes and assist the RF AIT Engineer and RF Lead Engineer in implementing corrective actions or rework plans.
· Ensure team agility in reconfigurations, late changes, or retest setups without compromising quality or cleanliness.
Documentation & Feedback
· Oversee proper completion of mating sheets, torque records, and non-conformance reports by the RF operator team.
· Actively report unclear procedures, tooling issues, or lessons learned to improve future campaigns.
· Contribute to updates of RF integration instructions based on practical observations.
Interfaces
· RF AIT Engineer for day-to-day technical execution and test operations.
· RF Lead Engineer (Design Office) to provide feedback and support in failure analysis.
· AIT Mechanical and Electrical Operator Leaders to coordinate cross-functional integration activities.
· AIT Manager, AIT Operations supervisor and QA for integration planning, verification, and reporting alignment.