RF Design Engineer

Position Title

RF Design Engineer

$60.00 - $75.00/hour

Hanover Park, IL

Our client is a leading designer and manufacturer of solid‑state RF power amplifiers and microwave generators, serving diverse sectors such as communications, aerospace, defense, medical, and scientific research. Our technology spans frequencies up to 40 GHz and power levels exceeding 100 kW. Founded by former Motorola engineering leaders, our team is known for its collaborative spirit, rapid innovation, and deep mastery of RF power amplifier design.

• Direct involvement from engineering conception to physical design
• Work in a 22,000 sq ft advanced facility committed to quality, speed, and on‑time delivery
• Solve complex RF problems using GaN, LDMOS, MOSFET, and bipolar device technologies, with a focus on high‑performance, application‑specific designs up to 18 GHz

• Design, model, and simulate RF power amplifiers within the RF chain targeting up to 18 GHz
• Engineer and optimize 50‑100 W amplifier designs focusing on small‑signal behavior, efficiency, linearity, and thermal management
• Utilize GaN and LDMOS technologies—no silicon-based devices
• Collaborate across internal manufacturing, testing, and quality teams to rapidly iterate and deliver reliable modules and systems
• Ensure designs meet performance targets—including gain, bandwidth, power output, and ruggedness—for high‑stakes applications
• Support the transition from prototype to production, contributing documentation, design reviews, and debugging efforts
• Uphold company standards of engineering excellence, design speed, and collaborative innovation

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, with a focus in RF/Microwave engineering
• Demonstrable experience in designing RF amplifiers (50‑100 W range) up to 18 GHz
• Strong expertise in GaN and/or LDMOS device technologies; preference for GaN
• Solid RF chain knowledge, including small‑signal analysis, stability, matching networks, biasing, and thermal considerations
• Skilled in industry‑standard CAD and simulation tools (e.g., ADS, Microwave Office, Ansys HFSS)
• Strong fundamentals in signal integrity, linearity metrics (e.g., IP3, P1dB), noise figure, and power efficiency
• Excellent communication and teamwork—engineer‑led, fast‑paced development environment
• Experience developing solid‑state microwave generators or high‑power RF products preferred
• Familiarity with ISO
  9001 quality systems or ITAR compliance is a plus
• Prior involvement in custom or client‑tailored RF solutions preferred

• Meaningful responsibility from initial design to hands‑on product execution
• Opportunity to contribute to solutions across a diverse application landscape—from aerospace and defense to medical, quantum, and industrial systems
• Work with a forward‑thinking, specialized RF team known for engineering speed and innovation
• Engage with both cutting‑edge technologies and real‑world impact in high‑power RF systems