Block Upconverter; BUC Designer

Mission Microwave Technologies – Cypress, CA

Design high-performance RF systems that power next-generation communications for aerospace, defense, and space.

Mission Microwave Technologies was founded in 2014 to revolutionize the next generation of Solid‑State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) and Block Up converters (BUCs). We utilize advanced GaN transistors, unique power‑combining technology, and innovative full‑system designs to create the industry’s most efficient, lightweight, and compact high‑power SSPAs.

Our leadership team brings more than 100 years of combined experience delivering high‑performance, high‑reliability SSPAs to commercial, military, and space customers. In just 10 years, our rapid growth and industry‑leading innovation have attracted private‑equity ownership and national recognition.

We’re proud to be ranked #23 on the Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production and certified as a Great Place to Work® since 2022.

Mission Microwave’s headquarters are located at 6060 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA 90603.

As a Block Up converter (BUC) Designer, you will design, develop, and validate advanced RF and microwave components that power mission‑critical communications. You’ll take ownership of the full development cycle — from concept and simulation to integration and production — ensuring every product meets stringent performance and reliability standards.

Your designs will directly impact system‑level performance and manufacturability, and you’ll collaborate across product development, manufacturing, test, and quality teams to create scalable, production‑ready RF hardware.

• Design block up converters (BUCs) and block down converters (BDCs).
• Design innovative pre‑distortion techniques to linearize PA modules.
• Generate cascade analyses for system designs.
• Perform electromagnetic, RF, and microwave simulation (e.g., ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST) and analyze results to optimize performance.
• Design and simulate RF/microwave circuits and subsystems (driver amplifiers, up‑/down‑converters, transmit/receive modules, frequency synthesizers, filters, mixers) to meet system requirements.
• Specify and source RF components (transistors, mixers, switches, passives) and evaluate component performance for high‑reliability, high‑power, high‑frequency applications.
• Ensure components meet requirements through stress analysis and system‑level performance criteria, including spurious, LO leakage, EMI/EMC, and phase noise.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, robust, and optimized for production.
• Develop test plans, set up measurement systems (vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters) and characterize prototypes for RF performance, gain, power, linearity, noise figure, stability, and thermal behavior.
• Document design reports, test reports, root‑cause analyses, failure reports, and manufacturing support documentation.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), including manufacturability reviews, transfer to production, prototype builds, and ramp‑up support.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design, test, reliability, or manufacturing issues, providing corrective actions and continuous improvement recommendations.
• Stay updated on emerging RF/microwave technologies and contribute to technology roadmaps and process improvement initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related discipline (MS/PhD preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of hands‑on experience designing and producing block up converters (up to V‑band) and performing simulation and measurement.
• Proficiency with network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Experience with Microwave Office, ADS, HFSS, CST, or equivalent RF design tools.
• Strong mathematical competency, including calculus, statistics, probability, and spatial reasoning.
• Self‑motivated and results‑oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong verbal and written communication…