Ultralife is seeking a motivated, hands-on RF Design Engineer to support the development of military-focused RF power-amplifier and electronic systems operating from approximately 30 MHz through 6 GHz. This unusually broad frequency range requires an engineer who can grow across multiple RF disciplines, from broadband matching networks and custom magnetics at lower frequencies to microwave circuit design, PCB layout, simulation, and test at higher frequencies.
The ideal candidate will have approximately 3 to 5 years of relevant practical experience and a solid foundation in RF circuit design and laboratory testing. We are seeking an engineer who can make meaningful technical contributions today while growing into increasingly complex design responsibilities.
Success in this role requires technical curiosity, disciplined experimentation, and persistence. The engineer must be willing to build, measure, troubleshoot, modify, and retest hardware while learning from both successful and unsuccessful results. Responsibilities includes design, simulation, layout support, prototyping, and validation of RF power amplifiers, filters, matching networks, and related RF subsystems.
What You'll Do:- Design, simulate, prototype, and test RF and microwave circuits operating from approximately 30 MHz to 6 GHz, including power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, filters, matching networks, and related components.
- Develop and optimize RF power-amplifier designs with output-power levels generally ranging from 20 to 100 watts.
- Design and evaluate broadband impedance-matching structures, transformers, baluns, combiners, filters, and custom magnetic components where applicable.
- Perform RF circuit and electromagnetic simulation using Keysight ADS, AWR, HFSS, or comparable engineering tools.
- Create and review schematics, component placement, controlled-impedance routing, grounding, shielding, and other RF-sensitive PCB layout features using Altium Designer or comparable ECAD software.
- Conduct hands-on prototype assembly, modification, tuning, and troubleshooting using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related laboratory equipment.
- Evaluate gain, efficiency, linearity, harmonics, spurious response, stability, thermal performance, and tolerance to load mismatch where applicable.
- Use measured data to identify design deficiencies, develop technical hypotheses, conduct controlled experiments, and implement design improvements.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, embedded-software, manufacturing, and test personnel to integrate RF designs into complete systems.
- Support the design and integration of DC power supplies, bias circuits, protection circuits, thermal-management features, and embedded control functions for RF subsystems.
- Produce clear design documentation, analyses, test results, design-review materials, and engineering change information.
- Support design transfer, production troubleshooting, component substitutions, and continuous improvement of released RF products.
Required Education and Experience- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline, with coursework or practical experience in RF, microwave, electromagnetics, or communication electronics.
- Approximately 3 to 5 years of practical RF or microwave circuit-development experience is preferred. Candidates with somewhat different experience levels may be considered based on demonstrated hands-on capability and growth potential.
- Experience designing, testing, or troubleshooting RF amplifiers, matching networks, filters, or similar RF circuits.
- Working knowledge of RF fundamentals, including impedance matching, S-parameters, gain, noise, stability, harmonics, linearity, and transmission-line behavior.
- Experience operating common RF laboratory instrumentation and interpreting measured results.
- Experience with RF simulation and ECAD tools.
- Ability to perform prototype assembly, soldering, rework, tuning, and component-level troubleshooting.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and technical-documentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated curiosity, persistence, adaptability, and willingness to build, measure, troubleshoot, modify, and retest hardware until technical objectives are achieved.
- Current U.S. Government Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
Preferred Qualifications- RF power-amplifier design or test experience.
- Experience with broadband RF designs covering VHF, UHF, L-band, S-band, or C-band frequencies.
- Experience with broadband transformers, baluns, combiners, transmission-line structures, or custom magnetics.
- Experience with high-power RF characterization, thermal management, stability analysis, harmonic filtering, or load-mismatch testing.
- Familiarity with military, rugged, or high-reliability electronic systems.
- Exposure to embedded control devices, including microcontrollers, CPLDs, or FPGAs.
- Familiarity with digital interfaces such as I2C, SPI, and RS-232.
Benefits:- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible work environment.
