Senior RF IC Design Engineer

Destinus; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking an RF IC Design Engineer to own the design, simulation and validation of high-performance RF/MMIC solutions. You will work across schematic, layout, and EM simulations, collaborating with foundries and industrial partners to deliver robust hardware.

You will bring PhD or Master’s level expertise, strong RF fundamentals, and hands-on measurement experience to drive the complete RF/MMIC design flow from concept to characterization.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or Master's with at least 4 years of RF IC design experience.
• Strong RF fundamentals and design skills across analog/digital domains.
• Hands-on experience with EM simulations and RF measurement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF ICs using III-V and CMOS/SOI technologies.
• Lead schematic design, layout optimization, and EM simulations.
• Characterize and validate RF performance through simulations and measurements.
• Collaborate with foundries, design houses, and external partners.
• Prepare technical documentation and progress reports.
• Coordinate projects with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Analog/Digital design

EM simulations

Schematic/layout

HFSS/Momentum

ADS/AWR/Virtuoso

PCB design basics (Altium)

RF measurements

Project coordination

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

Momentum

ADS

AWR

Cadence Virtuoso

Altium Designer

Job description

Imagine this. You're designing the RF integrated circuits that power the next generation of advanced aerospace and defence technologies. As an RF IC Design Engineer at Destinus, you'll take ownership of designing, simulating, optimizing, and validating high-performance RF and MMIC solutions using III-V and CMOS/SOI technologies.

From circuit design and electromagnetic simulations to hands-on measurements and collaboration with foundries and industrial partners, you'll play a key role in turning complex RF concepts into reliable, high-performance hardware. This is an opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with real engineering impact in a fast-moving, innovative environment.

At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

- PhD in Electrical Engineering or a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with at least 4 years of relevant professional experience in RF IC design or a closely related field.

- Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, performance metrics, circuit theory, and RF design techniques.

- Solid knowledge of analog and digital circuit design principles and practices.

- Good understanding of the complete RF/MMIC design flow, from schematic development and layout to simulation, fabrication, and characterization.

- Hands-on experience with electromagnetic simulation tools such as HFSS, Momentum, or equivalent software.

- Proficiency in RF circuit simulation and design environments such as ADS, AWR, or Cadence Virtuoso.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex RF design and performance challenges.

- Familiarity with PCB design tools such as Altium Designer is a plus.

- Experience working with RF measurement equipment and performing laboratory characterization is an advantage.

- Ability to manage technical projects independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams and external partners.

- Strong technical documentation, organizational, and communication skills.

- Fluency in written and spoken English.

What You'll Do

- Design and develop RF integrated circuits using III-V semiconductor and CMOS/SOI technologies, contributing to high-performance RF and MMIC solutions.

- Take ownership of schematic design, layout optimization, and electromagnetic (EM) simulations to ensure circuit performance meets technical requirements.

- Simulate, characterize, and validate RF circuit performance through both simulation and physical measurements, identifying opportunities for optimization and improvement.

- Collaborate with semiconductor foundries, design houses, and external partners to support IC development, manufacturing, and integration into existing systems.

- Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure RF IC designs meet system-level requirements and performance expectations.

- Prepare clear technical documentation, progress reports, and design reports, maintaining accurate project plans, schedules, and development milestones.

- Coordinate and supervise technical projects with external design houses and industrial partners, ensuring alignment on technical specifications, quality, and delivery timelines.

Who You Are

You're a technically driven engineer who enjoys solving complex RF challenges and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in circuit design. You combine a strong analytical mindset with a hands-on approach, moving confidently between simulation, design, and real-world validation. You're comfortable taking ownership of projects, making technical decisions, and working independently, but you also recognize the value of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Organized and detail-oriented, you know that great engineering requires both innovation and precision. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to new challenges, and take pride in turning ambitious technical concepts into reliable, high-performance solutions.