Senior RF Engineer

About the role

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA‑EMS) designs and manufactures first‑of‑a‑kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. The CSS group in Herndon, VA provides innovative, cutting‑edge security solutions for the United States Government, focusing on spacecraft payload and system development, ground control and operational software, embedded software, and unique cyber capabilities for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. This position offers considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and solution of designated engineering systems or programs.

Responsibilities

• Function in an advisory or leadership role, participating in planning and oversight of engineering problem resolution and providing direction to professional and support staff.
• Formulate multi‑year technical plans for solution development, documentation, deployment, and compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluate integration of engineering solutions within the overall environment; plan and oversee documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates.
• Communicate with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the development cycle; act as the prime technical contact on assigned systems or projects; select, motivate, and develop staff; interact with senior internal and external personnel; anticipate future engineering needs; and develop new or expand existing business opportunities while ensuring compliance and safety standards.
• Troubleshoot avionics hardware, including PCBA board testing, defect detection, full functional testing of assembled units, and resolution of on‑vehicle anomalies.
• Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design and evaluate performance.
• Write and execute verification test plans, test procedures, and test reports against product requirements.
• Modify electrical schematics and mechanical drawings for flight applications related to reliability and manufacturability.
• Design and troubleshoot RF test setups (UHF, S‑Band, X, Ka, or Ku bands) and associated support equipment to support testing strategies.
• Participate in development of new RF designs and drive optimization for manufacturability and cost.
• Actively participate in system‑level design of satellite systems across all project phases, including attitude control subsystem architectural design development.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution, with progressive engineering experience: nine + years with a bachelor’s, seven + years with a master’s, or four + years with a PhD (equivalent experience may substitute).
• Extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice; demonstrated project/program leadership including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established deadlines or milestones.
• Ability to develop new concepts, resolve unusually complex technical problems, serve as spokesperson on projects/programs, and act as a technical expert in one or more engineering areas.
• Previous experience with satellite space systems (required).
• Experience with RF components, wire harnesses, and electrical test equipment (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.) (required).
• Extensive knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single‑ and multi‑carrier techniques, and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK, and QAM.
• Understanding and experience in environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal, burn‑in, and TVAC) (required).
• Extensive experience with design, analysis, and testing of RF and/or microwave antenna systems; practical design/analysis experience, innovative thinking, and familiarity with state‑of‑the‑art technologies.
• Proficiency in electromagnetic theory, electromagnetic analysis, and performance budgeting/allocation (required).
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills enabling effective leadership interaction with other departments, all levels of management, staff, customers, and government representatives.
• Willingness to work extended hours as required.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Skills

• RF design and troubleshooting across UHF, S‑Band, X, Ka, and Ku bands.
• Electromagnetic simulation and modeling (antennas, filters, PCB layout).
• Verification test plan development and execution.
• Electrical schematic and mechanical drawing modification for flight reliability and manufacturability.
• Use of spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and related test equipment.
• Digital communications, spread spectrum, multi‑carrier modulation (QPSK, APSK, QAM).
• Environmental testing procedures (vibration, shock, thermal, burn‑in, TVAC).
• Antenna system design, analysis, and testing.
• Electromagnetic theory and performance budgeting.
• Multidisciplinary team collaboration and leadership.

Pay

Salary range: $105,890 – $189,545 per year.