RF Design Engineer III

SEAKR Engineering

$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BSEE or equivalent degree required
  • Strong grasp of RF circuit theory and properties
  • Understanding of oscillator operations and performance metrics
  • Knowledge of RF circuit characterization metrics
  • Familiarity with PCB fabrication processes
  • Proficient in schematic capture tools, preferably Siemens Xpedition
  • Experienced in RF design tools like Cadence/AWR or Keysight ADS
  • Skilled in 3D EM modeling tools, notably Ansys SIwave & HFSS
  • Proficiency in RF measurements with various analyzers
  • History of designing RF receiver, transmitter, and oscillator circuits
  • Collaboration experience in design projects
  • Effective communication skills for internal presentations

Responsibilities

  • Design front-end RF signal-chain circuits for space vehicle applications
  • Create low-phase noise oscillators and distribution networks
  • Develop RF digitizer circuits using multi-GSPS components
  • Coordinate with teams on technical requirements and design processes
  • Collaborate with engineering to meet multidisciplinary design demands
  • Generate engineering documentation per SEAKR standards
  • Support PCB layout to ensure RF performance adherence
  • Validate design performance through laboratory measurements
  • Conduct worst-case RF circuit analysis as per SEAKR guidelines
  • Aid in troubleshooting RF hardware issues during testing
  • Manage multiple assignments simultaneously
  • Provide mentorship to junior RF engineers
  • Work with the RF group to enhance hardware development workflows
  • Draft reports and present findings to leadership.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Generous 401(k) retirement plan
  • Eligibility for a year-end bonus
  • Variety of paid leave options including vacation and sick leave
Full Job Description
Job Description

Seeking a talented and highly motivated RF Design Engineer that will contribute to the development of electronic radio-frequency systems for space vehicle applications.

The RF Engineer 3 will:
  • Design front-end RF signal-chain circuits and assemblies for space vehicle communication and signal analysis systems using filters, amplifiers, mixers, couplers, impedance matching networks, and related components
  • Design stable, low-phase noise oscillators and distribution networks
  • Design RF digitizer circuits and assemblies using multi-GSPS ADC/DAC components
  • Cooperate with project teams over the course of RF system development to establish technical requirements, perform system trade studies, conduct design reviews, and track delivery schedule
  • Collaborate with RF group members and other SEAKR engineers to ensure that all multidisciplinary requirements can be satisfied in the assigned designs
  • Create engineering documentation according to SEAKR's workflow
  • Support PCB layout engineers to ensure circuit boards will meet RF performance requirements
  • Verify design performance with systematic laboratory measurements of engineering models
  • Perform worst case RF circuit analysis following SEAKR procedures
  • Assist in troubleshooting questionable RF hardware identified during test
  • Effectively balance time spent on multiple concurrent assignments
  • Provide training and guidance to less experienced RF engineers at SEAKR
  • Collaborate with RF Engineering Group to improve hardware development processes
  • Create clear reports and deliver summary presentations to product and project leadership


Qualifications
  • BSEE or equivalent university degree
  • Understanding of RF circuit theory, including transmission line propagation and coupling
  • Understanding of oscillator and clock circuit operation and key performance parameters
  • Understanding of RF circuit and signal characterization and key performance parameters: Sij, Zij, Return Loss, Insertion Loss, SNR, SINAD, SFDR, ENOB, IMD3, NPR, and Noise Figure
  • Understanding of printed circuit board fabrication and automated assembly processes
  • Skills in schematic capture (Siemens Xpedition tools preferred)
  • Skills in RF design and analysis using commercial EDA tools (Cadence/AWR Microwave Office or Keysight ADS preferred)
  • Experience in 3D EM field modeling with CAD tools (Ansys SIwave & HFSS preferred)
  • Experience in RF component and circuit verification measurements using multi-GHz VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Signal Analyzers, Vector Signal Sources, and/or Phase Noise Analyzers
  • Experience designing front-end RF receiver and transmitter circuits
  • Experience designing oscillator and distribution circuits with low phase noise
  • Experience in RF circuit board layout and transmission line design
  • Experience working in collaborative design where success depends on collective efforts
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience in presenting briefings to internal project teams
  • Understanding of sampling and signal processing in digital RF systems is a plus


Additional Information

Compensation: Base salary range is $100,000-130,000/year, depending on qualifications. SEAKR has very rich medical, dental and vision insurance plans, along with a generous 401(k) retirement plan. In addition to base salary, employees are eligible for a year-end bonus. SEAKR offers a variety of paid leave, such as vacation, sick, bereavement, and FMLA.

US Citizenship Required

Applications will be accepted until 8/14/26.

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