Senior RF Systems & Hardware Design Engineer

We are hiring a Senior RF Systems & Hardware Design Engineer to lead system-level RF architecture and board-level hardware design across multiple RF-based product lines. This role owns the entire RF signal chain — from discrete analog front-end components through digitization and integration with DSPs and FPGAs.

This is a hands-on, lab-focused engineering role with responsibility for architectural redesigns
, obsolescence-driven board updates, and integration across hardware, software, and test teams. The successful candidate will be trusted to define architecture, make design tradeoffs, and lead redesign initiatives
, not just troubleshoot existing designs.

This is not a chip-only, RF test-only, RF systems-only, network, FPGA-only, or antenna-only role.

• Products are distributed, multi-board RF systems
• Discrete RF front ends (LNAs, mixers, filters, PAs) feed into:
• ADCs
• DSPs
• FPGAs
• Up/down conversion
• Clock distribution
• Cross-board signal integrity
• Portable field units
• Desktop and depot test systems
• Many designs originate from acquisitions (CA/TX), creating:
• Obsolescence-driven redesign needs
• Hardware/software integration challenges

• Own end-to-end RF system architecture
  , not just individual components
• Define how discrete RF front-end components work together as a system
• Make architectural tradeoffs across:
• Performance
• Cost
• Power
• Scalability
• Lead architectural redesigns and platform evolution efforts
• Design and own the full RF signal chain through digitization

• Own board-level RF hardware design
• Perform schematic capture and PCB design (Altium preferred)
• Lead or directly contribute to:
• Board bring-up
• Debug
• Redesigns driven by obsolescence or performance gaps
• Work within real board-level constraints:
• Layout
• SI/PI
• EMI/EMC
• Thermal

Board design is a non-negotiable requirement.

• Be highly hands-on in the lab
• VNAs (SOLT calibration, S-parameters)
• Spectrum analyzers
• Signal generators
• Perform:
• RF validation
• Root-cause analysis
• Comfortable with soldering, rework, and iterative lab-based development

This role requires someone who is “handy in the lab”, not lab-adjacent.

• Work closely with:
• Software engineers
• Test procedure teams
• Provide technical leadership across multiple product lines
• Mentor engineers and influence technical direction without formal authority

• Ownership of board-level RF hardware design
• Hands-on schematic capture and PCB layout experience
• Strong understanding of RF system architecture
  , not just component behavior
• Experience integrating RF hardware with DSPs and FPGAs
• Hands-on RF lab experience (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, calibration)
• Ability to lead architectural redesigns
  , not just support them
• Comfortable working onsite in a lab-heavy environment
• US Person requirement

If a candidate has not:

• Designed boards
• Owned RF systems
• Led architectural decisions

they are not a fit.

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering (RF focus)
• Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
• Ability to clearly explain SDR concepts and HW/SW tradeoffs
• Experience in defense, aerospace, or regulated hardware environments
• RF simulation tools (ADS, HFSS, AWR, CST)
• Experience supporting products through production and sustaining