Senior/Principal RF/Microwave Engineer - Advanced RF Applications, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas.

About the role

The Advanced RF Applications department (5376) is seeking a highly motivated RF/Microwave Engineer to join its team. This position focuses on providing specialized RF engineering expertise, particularly in applied electromagnetics. You will be involved throughout the research, development, and fielding lifecycle. Our sponsors include intelligence community (IC), special operations forces (SOF), and Department of War (DOW) organizations, who count on us to deliver high-impact solutions to evolving and pressing national security challenges. Projects range from urgent, quick-reaction requests to longer term (1-3 year) efforts. The ideal candidate will possess strong teamwork skills and a background in electronics engineering (RF, analog, digital) within size, weight, and power (SWaP) constrained systems.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling/simulation, testing, and delivery of high-impact RF solutions
• Collaborate on and develop mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs for special communication systems

Qualifications

We Require

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph

We Desire

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation)
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment
• Proven ability to work successfully within a multidisciplinary team, partner effectively across organizations, and understand and work across a diverse set of technologies and capabilities
• Experience in designing and synthesizing RF and microwave circuits
• Experience in mixed signal digital and analog circuit design
• Experience in printed circuit board design/layout including high frequency design
• Experience in a hardware electronics laboratory environment including:
  • Use of general test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, DMM, logic analyzers)
  • RF test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters)
  • Probe testing/troubleshooting of RF/microwave, analog, and digital circuits
• Experience with RF/microwave design tools (HFSS, CST, ADS, Genesys, etc.)
• Experience or familiarity in one or more of the following areas:
  • Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, Radar and/or systems and principles
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems and principles
  • Modeling, design, and tuning of unique form-factor antennas
  • Python, GNU Radio, and MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent
  • Planning, coordination, and documentation of field tests
  • Intelligence Community and Department of War organizations and mission spaces
• Proven experience in interacting with internal and external customers and partners
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple projects within appropriate scope, budget, and timeframe
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and small teams effectively
• Demonstrated commitment to developing yourself and your skill set
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally (up to 3-4 times per year)
• Active DOE Q or DOW Top Secret security clearance and the ability to acquire and maintain an SCI clearance

About Our Team

The Advanced Radio Frequency Applications department researches, develops, evaluates and deploys specialized RF systems for national security applications including space-based, airborne, and terrestrial RF communications, Command and Control (C2), remote sensing, nontraditional Electronic Counter Measures / Electronic Warfare (ECM/EW), and specialized Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL) systems. Members of the department have broadly varying skills including RF/microwave circuit and system design, antenna design, digital signal processing, embedded system hardware and software, digital system design, operational field-testing development/support, and program/project management.

Design challenges include highly miniaturized electronic system design, communication system architecture, ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP) hardware, ultra-low-noise receivers, and signal extraction/classification techniques in low Signal-to-Noise-Ratio environments. We are tightly integrated with other departments in the Advanced RF Applications business area and regularly partner across organizational boundaries internal and external to SNL, including working closely with Government/Military partners to deliver high-impact solutions to national security problems.

Pay

Salary range is $117,500 - $235,700. Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions including:
  • 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off)
  • 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks
  • Part-time work
  • Telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation
• Strong medical and other benefits
• Competitive 401k
• Learning opportunities
• Relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance

These benefits vary by job classification.