Sr Principal Design Engineer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced RF power amplifier (PA) design engineer in our advanced development team who will deliver new and innovative solutions for cellular and Wi-Fi applications in the frequency range from 700 MHz to 7 GHz.

Locations considered for this role: San Jose, CA or Cedar Rapids, IA.

Responsibilities

• Conduct feasibility studies, design, simulation, and layout of GaAs PA ICs.
• Design laminate/IPD-based matching networks using ADS and various EM simulation tools to meet power, bandwidth, efficiency, and linearity requirements.
• Perform hands-on RF tuning at the bench alongside technicians and applications engineers to optimize PA performance.
• Analyze data to validate design over PVT and VSWR.
• Mentor others in design concepts and best practices.
• Publish novel design work through internal/external reports, seminars, conferences, and invention disclosures.
• Interface with various product organizations and cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in cellular or Wi-Fi PA design using GaAs HBT-based technologies.
• Strong understanding of high-efficiency and high-linearity PA design techniques and architectures, including load and supply modulation.
• Solid knowledge of GaAs HBT device physics over temperature, voltage/current, and frequency.
• Extensive experience in linear/nonlinear ADS simulations and EM simulations (FEM, Momentum, and/or HFSS).
• Strong background in RF/microwave engineering, electromagnetics, analog circuits, and wireless communications.
• Experience with RF/microwave test equipment such as network analyzers, probe stations, source/load pull systems, and signal sources/analyzers for modulated signals.
• Strong teamwork, communication, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to meet customer needs and schedules.
• Detail-oriented to ensure delivery of high-yielding designs with good margin to specifications.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of related work experience and/or a post-graduate degree.

Qualifications

• Experience designing RFIC/MMIC and analog circuit blocks such as PAs, switches, LNAs, phase shifters, and/or attenuators using pHEMT, SiGe, and/or SOI/CMOS-based technologies.
• Experience with various PA linearization techniques.
• Knowledge of Cadence and AWR Microwave Office schematic capture, layout, and simulation tools is a plus.
• Knowledge of data analysis and programming tools such as MATLAB, JMP, Spotfire, and AEL is a plus.
• Published authorship in technical journals, conferences, and/or magazines.
• 15+ years of experience with M.S. or Ph.D. degrees is preferred.