RF Engineering Manager - Sacramento, CA

RF Microwave Engineer

RF Microwave is a technical leader responsible for driving advanced RF hardware design and development. This role emphasizes deep technical expertise in RF engineering, guiding complex product architectures, and ensuring performance excellence across high-frequency systems. Designs, develops, and implements new products with emphasis on the latest technological advancements while considering product quality/reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and budgetary concerns.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• RF System Architecture:
  Define and oversee RF product architectures, including converters, amplifiers, and thin-film circuits.
• Advanced RF Design:
  Lead design efforts for:
  High-performance frequency converters (up/down-converters, mixers, synthesizers);
  Power Amplifiers (PAs) and Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNAs);
  Thin-film RF circuits such as filters, couplers, and precision components.
• Performance Optimization:
  Ensure compliance with stringent RF performance metrics (gain, noise figure, linearity, thermal stability).
• Simulation & Modeling:
  Utilize advanced RF simulation tools for circuit and system-level analysis.
• Testing & Validation:
  Direct RF testing using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and other precision instruments; interpret complex data for design refinement.
• Manufacturing Integration:
  Apply knowledge of thin-film, PCB, and final product assembly (box-build) processes to ensure manufacturability and reliability.
• Cross-Disciplinary
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Integrate RF designs with mechanical and software systems for complete product solutions.
• Component Lifecycle Management:
  Perform end-of-life (EOL) component analysis and recommend suitable replacement components to maintain product continuity and compliance.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) Development:
  Develop accurate BOMs in a timely manner to help Sales provide customers with the best pricing for quotes.
• Overall activities of the team, identifying problem areas and taking corrective actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned by manager.

Management Responsibilities:
Manages the engineering staff, providing guidance and coaching, prepares individual and group goals as well as providing annual appraisals and group measurements.

Technical

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required;
  Master's in RF/Microwave Engineering strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of hands-on RF design experience, including amplifiers, converters, and thin-film circuits.
• Expertise in RF simulation tools (ADS, HFSS, CST, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in RF testing methodologies and equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers).
• Strong understanding of electromagnetic theory, impedance matching, and signal integrity.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes for RF hardware.
• US Citizenship required for compliance. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• 3–5 years in a technical leadership role
• Ability to work within constantly changing priorities.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong understanding of contractual obligations as defined in purchase orders and government contract flow down (Q, FAR, DFAR, ITAR, NISPOM clauses).
• Strong understanding of US Government Export Controls; working with the Export Compliance Officials to identify commodity jurisdictions and product classification. Experience determining the scope of Technical Assistance Agreements.

Physical/Mental Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following:

• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Business travel as required.