Principal RF Design Engineer-SME Communications/Electronic Warfare

Secmation

$165K — $250K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active DoD Top Secret Clearance required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 15+ years of experience with military RF systems and electronic warfare.
  • Skilled in military communication systems design and error correction.
  • Proficient in C/C++ for embedded system applications.
  • Experience designing Electronic Warfare systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and development of RF, radar, communications, and EW systems.
  • Provide expert guidance on Electronic Support and threat modeling.
  • Develop system models and signal-processing algorithms in MATLAB/Python.
  • Drive systems engineering activities and prepare for design reviews.
  • Lead integration and testing of RF/EW systems in various environments.
  • Act as a senior technical leader and mentor for engineering staff.

Benefits

  • $15,000 signing bonus.
  • Relocation assistance offered.
  • Company equity participation.
  • Flexible 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Paid time off and flexible work hours.
  • Life and disability insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions.
Full Job Description
Principal RF Design Engineer - SME Communications/Electronic Warfare

$15,000 Signing Bonus | Relocation Assistance Provided | Location: Huntsville, Alabama

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal RF Design Engineer to serve as a Subject Matter Expert in advanced communications and electronic warfare systems. This role is based in Huntsville, Alabama, and includes relocation assistance along with a $15,000 signing bonus.

Position Type: Full-Time | Hybrid

Pay Range: $165k - $250k annually with annual bonus potential

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead the design and development of advanced RF, radar, communications, and EW systems-including receivers, transmitters, front-end architectures, and tactical military communication solutions.
  • Provide SME-level guidance across Electronic Support, Attack, and Protection (ES/EA/EP), applying deep knowledge of radar, COMINT, SIGINT, and threat modeling to shape system concepts and architectures.
  • Develop and refine system models, simulations, and signal-processing algorithms in MATLAB/Python, transitioning concepts from analysis to embedded implementation.
  • Drive systems engineering activities, including requirements development, system architecture, trade studies, and preparation for major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
  • Lead integration and test of RF/EW systems in lab and field environments, developing HWIL approaches, automated test procedures, and resolving complex RF or interoperability issues.
  • Serve as a senior technical leader and customer-facing SME, mentoring engineering staff, guiding technical execution across projects, and presenting findings to internal leadership and government stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
  • Must have an active DoD Top Secret Clearance
  • BS in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
  • 15+ years' experience in military RF systems including simulation, system design, software, and implementation of communication systems and EW
  • Proficient in the design, implementation, and analysis of military communication systems including adaptive tuning, optimization, and error correction
  • Experience in C/C++ for embedded applications
  • Experience in Electronic Warfare (EW) system design and applications
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment as part of a small team and execute complex development tasks with limited supervision.

Work Environment
  • Hybrid role with on-site work required in Huntsville, AL.
  • Core work hours are Monday to Friday, with flexible 9/80 work schedules.
  • Collaborative,fast paced and technically innovative environment with remote team integration.

Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive salary (based on experience and market conditions)
  • One-time signing bonus
  • Relocation assistance
  • Company equity
  • 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)
  • Paid time off & flexible work schedules
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life and disability insurance (short & long-term)
  • 401(k) retirement benefits plus employer contributions
  • And more!

In this role, you'll lead the development of next-generation RF and cyber-integrated systems, bringing together AI-enabled RF analysis, trusted execution, and secure digital-engineering pipelines to build technology where security is designed in from day one. You'll drive architecture and product roadmaps that enable earlier detection of cyber/EW risks, faster adaptation in the field, and a smoother path from concept to deployed capability. Your leadership will directly influence products that change the defense landscape and equip mission operators with smarter, more secure tools.

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