Principal Antenna/RF Engineer

About the role

As a Principal Wireless/RF Engineer specializing in Antenna Technology at Honeywell Aerospace (HONA), you will invent novel solutions and develop defense antenna products for advanced Electronic Warfare systems across land, sea, and air applications, while also supporting the broader aerospace business. The role leverages deep expertise in electromagnetics, aperture design, simulation, development, and test, combined with creative problem‑solving, to deliver cutting‑edge products for the warfighter. Collaboration with customers to understand requirements and provide innovative solutions is central to the position.

You will report directly to the Antenna Engineering Manager with access to senior leadership, based at the Lansdale, PA site with an on‑site work schedule. The site has over 75 years of antenna development history and includes more than a dozen test facilities: seven anechoic chambers, a compact range, near‑field scanner, multiple outdoor ranges, specialty antenna test and tune stations, load chambers, and high‑power test facilities for both room‑temperature and wide‑range environmental testing. Products span 3 MHz to 110 GHz, from narrow‑band patch antennas to 50:1 broadband low‑power antennas and multi‑octave high‑power antennas.

At the Principal level, technology leadership and execution in a team environment are essential. The successful candidate will have a solid theoretical background in RF/microwave theory, creative thinking to invent new antenna solutions, and the ability to lead development from concept to product or subsystem. Work may contribute to IoT solutions and connected products focused on military and commercial aerospace systems.

Responsibilities

• Invent, design, and develop RF/microwave antennas and/or array elements spanning 3 MHz to 110 GHz for narrow‑band and wide‑band applications; expert use of HFSS, ADS, AWR, CST, GRASP, WIPL, and MATLAB is assumed.
• Apply knowledge of a wide array of antenna types — microstrip patch, horn, spiral, dipole, blade, reflector, interferometers/AESA antenna element design — and fabrication methods including technical proposal preparation, product qualification, and production support.
• Work individually or with a team of engineers and technicians to develop antennas and act as technology advisor for varied products, technologies, and subsystems (CNI, munitions, missile, electronic warfare, situational awareness & self‑protection, interferometers, AESA, etc.).
• Lead design, analysis, and test of RF/microwave antennas, hybrids, feed structures, filters, and elements for diverse applications.
• Document design elements, antenna test procedures, and support mechanical engineering for design/drafting and R&M engineering.
• Recommend and lead setup and operational testing and evaluation of engineering hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Part‑time travel (less than 10%) to support cross‑site production, customer meetings, trade shows, etc.
• Prepare and present customer support meetings such as TIMs, PDRs, CDRs, etc.
• Provide technical leadership in antenna capital needs and technical rationale for measurement infrastructure (compact range vs. near‑field scanner vs. far‑field anechoic chamber vs. low‑frequency tapered chamber).

Qualifications

Required

• BSEE with fifteen (15) years of experience in RF/microwave antenna design.
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience with RF measurements including VSWR, insertion loss, phase, coupling, pattern, and gain measurements.
• MSEE with twelve (12) years of experience in RF/microwave antenna design.
• Twelve (12) years’ experience with RF measurements including VSWR, insertion loss, phase, coupling, pattern, and gain measurements.
• Eight (8) years of experience operating a PC using standard applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, etc.).
• Must be a “U.S. Person” under U.S. export laws (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or protected status under asylum/refugee) and able to obtain and maintain a minimum Secret security clearance.

Preferred

• PhD with ten (10) years of experience in RF/microwave antenna design.
• Ten (10) years’ experience with RF measurements including VSWR, insertion loss, phase, coupling, pattern, and gain measurements.
• Design and modeling of RF/microwave antennas and elements from 3 MHz to 110 GHz using HFSS, ADS, AWR, CST, GRASP, WIPL, and MATLAB.
• Materials and bonding experience.
• Military documentation configuration and control knowledge.
• Knowledge of RF system considerations such as path‑loss calculation, cascade noise figure, and intercept point.
• Strong analytical and test skills.
• Strong writing and interpersonal skills; ability to multitask and adjust to changing priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead a technical team on antenna‑centric development programs with cross‑functional groups (mechanical, electrical, systems, R&M engineers).
• Ability to generate white papers, technical proposal documents, and basis‑of‑estimates for advanced bid & proposal pursuits.
• Excellent presentation skills for internal and customer meetings, reviews, and updates.

Skills

• RF/microwave theory and antenna design (3 MHz – 110 GHz)
• Electromagnetic simulation tools: HFSS, ADS, AWR, CST, GRASP, WIPL, MATLAB
• Antenna types: microstrip patch, horn, spiral, dipole, blade, reflector, interferometers, AESA elements
• RF measurement: VSWR, insertion loss, phase, coupling, pattern, gain
• Technical proposal preparation, product qualification, production support
• Test facility expertise: anechoic chambers, compact range, near‑field scanner, outdoor ranges, high‑power/environmental test
• Cross‑functional leadership (mechanical, electrical, systems, R&M engineering)
• Technical writing: white papers, proposals, basis‑of‑estimates, test procedures
• Customer-facing presentations (TIMs, PDRs, CDRs)
• Capital equipment justification for RF measurement infrastructure

Benefits

• Employer‑subsidized medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program and educational assistance
• Parental leave and 12 paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation, personal, and sick time

Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com/

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $166,000 – $207,000. Honeywell Aerospace considers various factors when extending an offer, including scope and responsibilities, candidate experience, education, training, key skills, and market and business considerations.

Schedule

On‑site work schedule at the Lansdale, PA facility. Part‑time travel (less than 10%) required for production support, customer meetings, and trade shows.

About the company

Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA) is an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission‑focused execution. With systems on board 90% of the world’s aircraft, the company focuses on customers, invests in innovation, and builds a culture of accountability and performance. Approximately 36,000 employees worldwide; net