Design​/Development Engineer

RF Microwave Engineer I/II – Hands-On, Hardware-Focused (Palo Alto, CA)

Work on rare, mission-critical tech - Coupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs) used in defense and advanced communications. This is a hands-on engineering role where you’ll move between design, testing, and manufacturing, working directly with real hardware not just simulations.

• Build & improve real RF/microwave devices in production
• Own projects from concept → production
• Work at the intersection of RF, vacuum systems, and advanced manufacturing
• Tight collaboration with manufacturing (not siloed engineering)

• Mechanical, Electrical, or Physics background
• Hands-on experience (lab, manufacturing, internships, or industry)
• Interest in RF/microwave, vacuum systems, or hardware development

• Experience owning technical projects or major components
• Background in manufacturing, testing, or product development
• Ability to work independently and drive improvements

Location:

Palo Alto, CA

Pay: $75K to $110K depending on experience and leveling

Must be a U.S. person (export-controlled technology)

We are hiring at the Engineer I or Engineer II level depending on experience, scope, and demonstrated hands-on capability.

Microwave Power Products, Inc. (MPP), headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, MPP develops, manufactures and globally distributes innovative and reliable technology solutions used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals for commercial and military applications.

MPP serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets.

This is not a generic engineering role. You’ll work on Coupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs) - highly specialized vacuum electron devices that sit at the intersection of RF engineering, vacuum science, precision manufacturing, and advanced materials. These are mission-critical technologies used in demanding communications and defense environments, where performance, reliability, and precision matter.

At MPP, engineers don’t sit far from production. You’ll be directly involved in design, testing, manufacturing transition, and continuous improvement, working hands-on with real hardware and real systems — not just models and documentation. You get the agility of a focused, technically deep site, backed by the scale and stability of Trans Digm, a global aerospace leader.

You’ll support and advance both current production and next-generation CCTWT development.

• Support the production of existing CCTWT devices through process documentation, refinement, and design-for-manufacturing improvements
• Participate in development programs involving mechanical, RF, and vacuum system design and analysis
• Contribute to the concept, design, testing, and validation of new CCTWT products and associated components
• Own technical projects through multiple phases of development, from concept through production transition
• Identify design and process issues, implement corrective actions, and drive cost reduction, yield improvement, and build efficiency
• Work directly with manufacturing during pilot builds and first production runs to ensure smooth engineering-to-production handoff
• Support production through product improvement initiatives, reliability enhancements, and process optimization
• Develop and improve engineering processes and work instructions that enable consistent, high-quality builds
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program teams to meet technical and business objectives
• Support other related engineering duties as assigned

This role sits at the core of product realization. Your engineering decisions directly impact manufacturability, performance, and reliability.

• A degree in Mechanical…