RF Engineer IV/V/VI

The RF Engineer leads the design, analysis, and integration of RF and antenna systems across Zone 5 products. This role is responsible for developing high-performance communication and RF architectures that operate reliably in complex electromagnetic environments. 

You will work across the full lifecycle—from concept and trade studies through integration, test, and production—partnering closely with Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software, Integration, and Test to deliver robust, scalable RF solutions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Design, model, simulate, and integrate RF and antenna systems across multiple frequency bands and technologies.  

• Define RF system requirements and drive architecture decisions through analysis, trade studies, and feasibility assessments.  

• Perform RF analysis including link budgets, antenna patterns, RF chain performance, interference/desense, and installed system effects.  

• Develop and validate RF/data link models and communication performance simulations.  

• Conduct hardware and software trade studies to optimize RF system performance, robustness, and scalability.  

• Support design, prototyping, integration, and qualification of wireless communication systems.  

• Debug and characterize RF issues including noise sources, interference, and aggressor/victim interactions.  

• Integrate RF subsystems with avionics, payloads, and platform constraints to ensure end-to-end system performance.  

• Develop and maintain internal RF modeling, simulation, and analysis tools.  

• Support test activities including lab validation, ground testing, and flight test data analysis.  

• Present technical findings in design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR) and leadership discussions.  

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to RF engineering standards and best practices.  

Qualifications 

Required 

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.  

• 7+ years of experience in RF system design, analysis, or integration.  

• Strong experience with RF architectures including transceivers, front-end design, and antenna integration.  

• Familiarization with MANET radios (e.g. Silvus, Persistent Systems, DTC, or similar). 

• Proficiency with RF modeling and simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, ADS, or similar).  

• Experience performing RF system analysis (interference, system performance).  

• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, UDP, multicast, RTSP, and other transmission protocols, with the ability to perform link budget and data throughput analysis. 

• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators).  

• Programming or scripting experience (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C/C++, bash) for modeling and data analysis. 

• Strong troubleshooting skills in complex RF environments.  

• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively across IPTs.  

Preferred 

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.  

• Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) or contested electromagnetic environments.  

• Familiarity with communication systems, signal processing, and data link design.  

• Experience with PCB design tools (e.g., Altium) and hardware implementation.  

• Understanding of antenna theory and real-world integration constraints.  

• Experience designing for manufacturability, cost, and production scalability.  

• Experience supporting flight test or deployed RF systems.  

• Active or eligible for U.S. DoD security clearance. 

Pay Range by Level for San Luis Obispo, CA:

Level IV - $155k - $199k
Level V - $199k - $248k
Level VI - $248k - $284k