Principal RF Electrical Engineer (Sign On Bonus Available)

About the role

We are seeking a talented, motivated Principal RF Electrical Engineer to join our Agile engineering team in Austin, Texas. This role is part of Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions, where you will design, develop, and produce advanced electronics for air, land, sea, and space applications. You will collaborate with a team of world-class professionals in a dynamic environment that values technical excellence, teamwork, and innovation.

The selected candidate will have a deep understanding of RF principles, design and test methodologies, and experience with advanced test equipment. You will ensure the performance, quality, and reliability of RF products through rigorous testing and analysis, working closely with design engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Translate system requirements into compliant complex printed board assembly designs.
• Lead analog and high-frequency RF design and layout.
• Conduct technical trade studies, evaluate technology insertion/upgrades, and perform laboratory testing and troubleshooting using complex RF test equipment.
• Integrate and evaluate hardware module performance using simulation tools and prototype hardware in a laboratory environment.
• Generate design documentation and verification test procedures.
• Lead design reviews throughout the development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with test engineers to identify and resolve design/testability issues early in the development process.
• Analyze design artifacts and test data, providing detailed reports on performance, quality, and reliability.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to other team members in the RF domain.
• Design, develop, and troubleshoot test solutions for Design Verification Testing (DVT) and high-volume production testing.
• Perform high-volume RF testing using advanced test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators.
• Document test procedures, results, and issues encountered during testing.
• Assist in developing new RF testing methodologies and best practices.
• Support the hardware engineering department in RF Technology Training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of 6 years of prior work experience, or an Advanced degree and minimum 4 years of prior work experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of RF/analog/power/mixed signal electronics fundamentals.
• Proficiency with electrical engineering design, schematic capture, and analysis tools.
• Strong “hands-on” laboratory experience with instrumentation, equipment, and processes.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, phase noise analyzers, and signal generators.
• Eligible to obtain a DOD Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of engineering development processes for the aero/defense industry, including designing and testing to MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-461.
• Experience with printed board assembly (PBA, PCB, PWB) design using Cadence tools.
• Experience with tools such as MATLAB, Python, CST, Microwave Design Studio, HFSS, Keysight Genesys, or Advanced Design System (ADS).
• Experience with RF cascade analysis and frequency planning for RF conversion.
• RF circuit design experience, including high-frequency board stack-ups and trace routing (to 40 GHz), lumped element filter design, and RF signal chain design (LNAs, mixers, LO/frequency generation, equalizers, filters, attenuators, switches).
• Strong hands-on lab skills with the ability to prototype and test RF circuits, including experience with network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and signal source analyzers.
• Experience in Power Supply (AC to DC / DC to DC) design.
• Experience developing compact embedded systems for harsh environments.
• Familiarity with AS9145 compliant processes.
• Experience with Electronic Warfare systems, radar systems, or RF software-defined radio (SDR) hardware.
• Agile hardware development experience.
• Exceptional ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time management, and leadership skills.
• Active DOD security clearance.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• 401(k) savings plan with company contributions.
• Disability, life, and accident insurance.
• Employee assistance program and legal plan.
• Paid time off, holidays, parental leave, military leave, and bereavement leave.
• Employee recognition program with monetary and non-monetary awards.
• Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $118,095 - $200,762. Individual salaries are determined by factors including business considerations, local market conditions, internal equity, and candidate qualifications such as skills, education, and experience.

Schedule

Flexible work environment with a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off).