Amplifier Design Engineer

Elve Inc; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Vacation time

Startup experience

Exposure to vacuum electronics

Job summary

Elve, Inc in Davis, CA seeks an amplifier design engineer to lead design and optimization of RF power amplifiers. You will work with a team on all stages from concept to prototyping and testing in a fast-paced startup environment.

The role offers hands-on exposure to cutting‑edge vacuum electronics, collaboration with manufacturing, and opportunities to influence process improvements and product integration.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in RF/microwave design and simulation software (HFSS, CST).
• Experience in designing and characterizing vacuum RF power amplifiers (e.g., TWT).
• Solid understanding of amplifier architectures and circuit theory.
• Strong analytical skills to analyze circuit performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Hands-on RF test equipment experience (network analyzers, oscilloscopes).
• Detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving abilities.
• Great communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Self-motivated and adaptable.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize RF power amplifiers with a team of engineers from concept to prototyping and testing.
• Conduct simulations and design RF components; select materials for high-frequency applications.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and test teams to ensure designs transition into production.
• Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and contribute to process improvements.
• Address engineering challenges directly to deliver impactful RF solutions.

Skills

RF/microwave design

HFSS

CST

Vacuum RF power amplifiers

Amplifier architectures

Circuit theory

RF test equipment

Network analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree, Electrical Engineering

Master's degree, Electrical Engineering

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Vacuum amplifier design experience

Tools

HFSS

CST

Job description

Who is Elve?

Elve, Inc is a deep‑tech startup in Davis, CA, specializing in the design and manufacturing of high‑efficiency lightweight millimeter‑wave and near‑THz RF power amplifiers. Our groundbreaking technology enables 100x faster wireless internet access in urban settings and remote locations, revolutionizing the future of wireless connectivity well beyond 5G. We are looking for an amplifier design engineer to play a pivotal role in developing our innovative products. If you are passionate about RF design, eager to tackle challenges in high‑frequency circuits, and want to work in a dynamic team environment, we can’t wait to meet you!

Job Description

The amplifier design engineer at Elve will be responsible for the design and optimization of RF power amplifiers together with a team of engineers and technical experts. This role encompasses the complete design process, from conceptualization to prototyping and testing. Key responsibilities include conducting simulations, designing RF components, and selecting appropriate materials for high‑frequency applications. The engineer will collaborate closely with manufacturing and test teams to ensure the successful integration of designs into production. Opportunities include hands‑on work with cutting‑edge technology, involvement in process improvements, and tackling engineering challenges directly. This is a full‑time salaried position, ideal for someone looking to make a substantial impact in the RF sector.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing facility
• ISO 5 - ISO 7 Cleanroom
• Laboratory
• Machine shop
• Warehouse
• Office

Must have:

• Proficiency in RF/microwave design and simulation software (e.g., HFSS, CST)
• Experience in designing and characterizing vacuum RF power amplifiers (e.g., TWT)
• Solid understanding of amplifier architectures and circuit theory
• Strong analytical skills to analyze circuit performance and troubleshoot issues
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment (e.g., network analyzers, oscilloscopes)
• Detail‑oriented with excellent problem‑solving abilities
• Great communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment
• Self‑motivated and adaptable

Good to have:

• Experience with high‑frequency circuit design and fabrication techniques
• Knowledge of thermal management in RF applications
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Experience with in‑depth modeling and simulation of RF components
• Familiarity with testing protocols for RF amplifiers

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 6 years of relevant engineering experience in vacuum amplifier device design
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 4 years of relevant engineering experience in vacuum amplifier device design
• Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant engineering experience in vacuum amplifier device design
• Basic hands‑on tools experience

Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary
• Health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• Vacation time
• A taste of the start‑up life
• Exposure to cutting‑edge technology in vacuum electronics, materials science, and additive manufacturing.
• Rubbing shoulders and brainstorming with multiple Ph.D. and masters‑level engineers

What it’s like to work at Elve

We are a small team (for now!) on a mission to bring the next generation of high‑speed wireless connectivity to a billion people worldwide. That kind of impact is not going to be achieved with incremental improvements—we are gunning for orders of magnitude advances in production capability, cost, size, and power in the mm‑wave RF amplifier market. We ask “dumb” questions all the time because we always have something to learn. We work really hard, make sure to get good sleep, handle conflict intentionally, and expect great things from each other.