Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer Lead

About the role

Battelle’s Advanced Microsystems Solutions – RF Spectrum portfolio delivers advanced Radio Frequency (RF), Electronic Warfare (EW), and communications systems for U.S. Government and select commercial customers—spanning concept development, capture, system design, integration, test, and operational transition. As a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer Lead, you will support the development of advanced RF, communications, sensing, and electronic warfare (EW) systems. This role blends RF design, system integration, signal processing, and test execution while serving as a technical lead on projects or major workstreams.

Responsibilities

• RF System Design & Signal Chain Development
• Design and develop RF/microwave systems, subsystems, and components across the signal chain (antenna → RF front end → processing)
• Perform RF system analysis, link budgeting, and performance modeling
• Apply DSP techniques (e.g., filtering, detection, waveform processing) to RF systems
• Contribute to architecture, trade studies, and design reviews
• System Integration & Technical Execution
• Lead or support integration of RF hardware, DSP, and embedded/software components
• Plan and execute system-level integration and validation activities
• Ensure alignment between system requirements, design implementation, and verification
• Test, Measurement & Validation
• Develop and execute test plans for RF, EW, and communications systems in lab and field environments
• Analyze test data to evaluate performance, identify issues, and inform design improvements
• Utilize RF test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators)
• Modeling, Simulation & Analysis
• Build system-level models to evaluate RF performance (SNR, interference, propagation)
• Support simulation and analysis for phased arrays, beamforming, and RF propagation
• Validate models using lab and field data
• Technical Leadership & Project Contributions
• Lead discrete technical efforts, workstreams, or small-to-mid scale projects
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to junior engineers
• Serve as a key contributor to design reviews, risk assessments, and technical decisions
• Support proposal writing, IRAD efforts, and customer deliverables
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Collaborate across RF design, systems engineering, antenna, software, and test teams
• Interface with program leadership, customers, and external partners
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience in:
• RF system design, integration, and analysis
• Signal processing and modeling tools (MATLAB, Python, etc.)
• RF lab/test equipment and measurement techniques
• RF modeling tools (HFSS, ADS, CST, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
• Electronic warfare (EW), radar, or communications systems
• Software Defined Radio (SDR) or FPGA-based systems
• Phased arrays, beamforming, or direction finding
• RF modeling tools (HFSS, ADS, CST, etc.)

Benefits

• Livings an Extraordinary Life
• Live an Extraordinary Life
• Balance life through a compressed work schedule
• Prioritize wellness
• Build your financial future
• Advance your education