Staff RF Engineer (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Staff RF Engineer (Aerospace): Leading the design, analysis, and integration of high-reliability RF and microwave electronics for defense systems with an accent on MMIC-based circuit design and full-lifecycle product development. Focus on solving complex RF performance challenges, ensuring manufacturability, and collaborating across cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical hardware.

Location: Must be based in or able to work on-site in Hawthorne, CA

Salary: $150,000–$210,000

Company

A defense technology company building coherent distributed networks to empower warfighters and commercial operators with advanced domain dominance capabilities.

What you will do

• Lead the design, prototyping, and tuning of RF circuit boards including LNAs, power amplifiers, and filters.
• Perform architecture development and component trade studies to meet system-level performance requirements.
• Conduct linear, nonlinear, and electromagnetic simulations using tools like HFSS, ADS, or AWR.
• Support PCB layout and RF stack-up definition, focusing on impedance control and shielding.
• Plan and execute RF testing, characterization, and troubleshooting at board and subsystem levels.
• Collaborate with systems, power, digital, and mechanical engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years of RF engineering experience.
• Proven experience developing RF hardware for aerospace, defense, avionics, or space systems.
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals including gain, noise figure, linearity, and impedance matching.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to operate in fast-paced development environments.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations and aerospace standards like DO-160 or MIL-STD-461.
• Experience with RF PCB layout best practices and design-for-manufacturing.
• Knowledge of RF antenna design principles.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits: Medical, dental, and vision 100% paid by the company.
• Financial security: 401k with 50% company match up to 6%, FSA, and HSA.
• Work-life balance: Unlimited PTO and 'No meeting Fridays'.
• Perks: Free daily lunch and casual dress code.
• Growth: Generous pre-IPO stock option grants and relocation assistance.