Senior RF Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Senior RF Engineer (Aerospace): Design, analyze, prototype, and tune high-reliability RF circuit boards and subsystems for defense applications with an accent on MMICs, matching networks, and integration across frequency domains. Focus on architecture trade studies, electromagnetic simulations, PCB layout optimization, and troubleshooting complex performance issues under aerospace constraints.

Location: Full-time onsite in Hawthorne, California, United States. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance required.

Salary: $120,000 - $160,000

Company

Redefining modern defense with Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) powering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection. Founded in 2022, raised $1B funding, headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Washington D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London.

What you will do

• Design, analyze, prototype, and tune RF circuit boards with MMICs like LNAs, power amplifiers, baluns, filters, mixers, and bias/matching networks
• Perform architecture development, component trade studies, schematics, layouts, and documentation per aerospace standards
• Conduct simulations using HFSS, ADS, AWR; support PCB layout in Altium with impedance control and shielding
• Plan and execute RF testing, characterization, integration, and troubleshooting at board/module/subsystem levels
• Collaborate with systems, power, digital, mechanical, and software teams for seamless RF integration
• Contribute from development through production sustainment, including failure analysis and field support

Requirements

• Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years RF engineering experience in aerospace, defense, avionics, radar, EW, communications, or space
• Strong RF fundamentals: gain, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, stability, impedance matching
• Hands-on with RF test equipment: VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex RF issues
• Operate effectively in fast-paced environments with strong attention to detail
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. security clearance

Nice to have

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in EE, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related
• Power amplifier design and integration experience
• EMI/EMC for RF systems and aerospace standards compliance
• Mixed-signal or RF/digital interfaces
• Manufacturing considerations, tolerance analysis, RF PCB best practices
• DO-160, MIL-STD-461 standards; RF antenna design

Culture & Benefits

• Health benefits: medical, dental, vision 100% company-paid; 401k with 50% match up to 6%, FSA, HSA, life insurance
• Perks: free daily lunch, no-meeting Fridays, unlimited PTO, casual dress code
• Compensation: competitive base, pre-IPO stock options, relocation assistance, annual bonuses coming soon
• Team: 200+ employees across 5 global offices, focus on growth