Senior RF Integration & Test Engineer

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

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A Senior/Principal Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer responsible for development, integration, testing and troubleshooting of RF communications and sensor systems. The RF engineer is expected to demonstrate strong understanding of RF and Electromagnetic principles. This is a very hands-on position, requiring expertise in characterizing RF device signal and noise, and mitigation noise leakage, EMI and grounding issues in transmitter/receiver circuitry. Following identification of noise issues, the RF engineer is responsible for driving noise mitigation solutions through utilization of RF design tools and hands-on lab bench integration and test, as well as applying experience utilizing ferrite beads, RF chokes and baluns, RF shielding and Faraday cages.

Key tasks include supporting and/or leading in-house testing and local field testing of electromagnetic field propagation, antenna characterization and communication link performance. The role requires excellent communication skills and ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary groups, including software and hardware engineering.

• Provide expert level system test and troubleshooting using signal generators, vector network analyzers, signal analyzers, E-field and B-field sensors
• Integration and test of passive LF/HF high power, standard and electrically small antennas as well as optimization of associated matching networks
• Anechoic chamber testing
• Support and/or lead engineering teams for in-house and local field testing of electromagnetic field propagation, antenna and communication link performance
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction – contribute to requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements
• Perform analysis and modeling of RF hardware, provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback

• Extensive experience utilizing ferrite beads, RF chokes and baluns in radio and antenna systems
• Experienced with capacitive and inductive coupling
• Experienced with RF shielding and EMI characterization
• Experienced writing software scripts to interface with and capture data from test equipment
• Very experienced with RF active and passive circuits and components (LNAs, filters, mixers, etc.)
• Advanced knowledge of electrical noise, linearity, stability, etc.
• Skilled with the following tools: RF software tools (ADS, AWR, HFSS, or similar) MATLAB or Python
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative team environment
• Excellent management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details

Requires bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Requires 5-10 years experience in Radio Frequency or Communications Engineering or related field.

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