Senior Staff Engineer – CATV RF Design

Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff Engineer with deep expertise in CATV RF and HFC network design, including active device architecture and amplifier design. This role serves as a senior technical authority responsible for the design, optimization, and modernization of broadband HFC networks and the active components that power them. The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of progressive RF engineering experience within the cable telecommunications industry and demonstrates strong technical leadership, innovation, and cross‑functional collaboration.

• Lead end-to-end RF design and architecture for CATV/HFC networks including system expansion, segmentation, node splits, and capacity upgrades.
• Develop cascade designs including amplifier spacing, tilt planning, equalization strategy, and link budget analysis.
• Perform forward and return path design including mid-split, high-split, and extended spectrum DOCSIS implementations.
• Support fiber‑deep, DAA (Remote PHY/Remote MACPHY), and DOCSIS 3.1/4.0 evolution strategies.
• Define and maintain RF design standards, engineering guidelines, and performance metrics.

• Design and optimize broadband RF amplifier stages for HFC applications across 5 MHz–1.8 GHz (and beyond for extended spectrum).
• Develop gain‑stage architectures including push‑pull and GaN/LDMOS‑based output stages.
• Perform distortion analysis including CCN and NPR performance.
• Design automatic gain control (AGC) and automatic level control (ALC) systems.
• Engineer equalization networks and slope compensation to maintain flatness across extended bandwidth.
• Analyze thermal performance, power dissipation, and efficiency of amplifier modules.
• Evaluate noise figure, return loss, isolation, and impedance matching performance.
• Support power‑supply integration, standby‑powering schemes, and surge protection design.
• Conduct simulation and modeling using RF design tools (e.g., ADS, Microwave Office, SPICE‑based modeling).
• Lead validation testing including sweep alignment, MER/SNR performance, ingress resilience, and field qualification.
• Experience with Altium CAD software tools.

• Conduct system‑level performance analysis including MER, SNR, group delay, distortion products, and return‑path noise.
• Optimize cascade depth and amplifier count to balance performance, cost, and reliability.
• Lead troubleshooting of plant impairments related to active‑device nonlinearities or misalignment.
• Collaborate with operations teams on deployment, activation, and field support.

• Serve as subject‑matter expert on RF active devices and HFC architecture.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide technical development of the organization.
• Partner with product, operations, and executive leadership on long‑term network strategy.
• Evaluate vendor components, silicon technologies, and emerging architectures.
• Support compliance with SCTE, ANSI, and FCC standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline (required).
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in CATV/HFC RF design.
• Direct experience designing or architecting broadband RF amplifiers for HFC systems.
• Strong understanding of RF transmission theory, impedance matching, and nonlinear distortion mechanisms.
• Extensive knowledge of DOCSIS 3.0/3.1/4.0 and extended spectrum evolution.
• Experience with RF modeling and simulation tools.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives.

• Experience with GaN or LDMOS device technologies in broadband applications.
• Familiarity with digital predistortion (DPD) techniques.
• SCTE certifications (SCTE‑T, SCTE‑IE).
• Experience leading extended spectrum or DOCSIS 4.0 deployments.
• Background in hybrid analog/digital amplifier module design.

This position will be on‑site based in Duluth, GA.

In addition to a competitive salary, AOI offers the following benefits:

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offering the employee the right options to meet individual and family needs.
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.
• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at the end of the year.
• Relocation package available within the U.S.
• Immigration sponsor ships (must be currently authorized to work in the U.S.).