Senior RF Engineer
UT Engineering
Description

  

We are seeking a highly skilled RF Design Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, and verification of advanced RF systems and phased array antennas for radar applications. This role spans the full product lifecycle, from RF front-end architecture and circuit design through system integration, test, and performance validation. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or a related discipline) and possesses hands-on experience in RF/microwave design, antenna systems, and radar technologies.


Key Responsibilities

· Design, develop, and validate RF circuitry for transmit and receive signal chains, including frequency conversion stages, phase-locked loops (PLLs), high-speed ADCs/DACs, filters, mixers, amplifiers, and high-speed digital interfaces (JESD204, LVDS, etc.). 

· Perform RF system analysis, including cascaded gain, noise figure, compression performance (P1dB), harmonics, spurious responses, and intermodulation distortion. 

· Support hardware bring-up, debugging, integration, and verification of RF subsystems and radar platforms. 

· Conduct system-level integration, testing, and performance verification in laboratory and field environments. 

· Perform RF and antenna characterization using vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and anechoic chamber measurement systems. 

· Analyze test results, identify performance issues, and drive design improvements through iterative development. 

· Develop software tools and automation scripts in Python and/or MATLAB for test automation, modeling, simulation, and data analysis. 

· Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including systems, electrical, mechanical, firmware, software, and algorithm engineers, to ensure successful product development. 

· Generate technical documentation, test reports, and design reviews to support development and verification activities. 

· Ensure designs comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, reliability, and performance requirements. 

Requirements

  

· Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field. 

· Strong background in RF and microwave circuit design, analysis, and troubleshooting. 

· Solid understanding of electromagnetics, antenna theory, and RF propagation. 

· Experience with phased array antenna concepts, including beamforming, beam steering, grating lobes, and mutual coupling effects. 

· Hands-on experience using RF test and measurement equipment, including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes. 

· Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB for modeling, simulation, automation, and data analysis. 

· Experience with schematic capture and PCB design tools (e.g., Altium Designer). 

· Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. 


Preferred Qualifications

· Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related field. 

· Experience designing and developing radar, electronic warfare, or other advanced RF sensing systems. 

· Hands-on experience with PLLs, frequency synthesizers, high-speed ADCs/DACs, JESD204 interfaces, and mixed-signal RF architectures. 

· Experience with antenna measurement and characterization techniques, including near-field and far-field testing in anechoic chamber environments. 

· Familiarity with phased array calibration, RF system integration, and beamforming architectures. 

· Experience developing automated test systems and production test methodologies. 

· Knowledge of RF simulation and electromagnetic modeling tools such as ADS, HFSS, CST, or similar software. 

· Experience working in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated engineering environments.