Antenna Systems & Hardware Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory seeks an RF Antenna Systems & Hardware Engineer to advance antenna modeling, test and measurement, and hardware integration for next‑generation sensor systems. You will design and evaluate RF apertures and phased arrays, perform lab and field measurements, prototype RF front ends, and collaborate with designers to translate results into system‑level improvements.

Requires a Master’s in Electrical Engineering or Physics, 3+ years of experience, and an

Qualifications

• Master's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent, with a concentration in electromagnetics (EM), RF, or related fields.
• 3+ years of experience in antenna or RF aperture modeling, test, and measurement for radar, EW, or communication systems.
• Experience with commercial computational EM software packages such as HFSS, FEKO, CST, ADS, or equivalent.
• Hands-on experience developing or integrating antenna and RF hardware (e.g., RF front ends, feed networks, up/down converters, LNAs, PAs) and basic RF prototyping and debug.
• Strong MATLAB or Python skills for data processing, visualization, automation, and development of custom analysis tools.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed, for field tests, range measurements, or sponsor engagements.
• An Active Secret Clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply antenna and RF aperture modeling and simulation tools (e.g., full-wave EM solvers, array analysis codes, custom MATLAB/Python tools) to design, analyze, and trade antenna and array performance across a variety of operational scenarios.
• Plan, execute, and analyze antenna and RF aperture measurements in laboratory, chamber, and field test environments, including radiation pattern measurements, gain and efficiency, impedance, polarization characteristics, and array calibration.
• Lead the rapid prototyping, integration, and debug of antenna systems, including RF front ends, feed networks, and integration of antennas with RF electronics and software-defined radios. Use RF lab equipment and automated test scripts to quickly assess and iterate on designs.
• Collaborate closely with antenna designers, RF hardware engineers, and systems engineers to translate modeling, measurement, and prototyping results into system-level recommendations and design updates, and document and present findings in internal reports and technical briefings to sponsors.

Skills

MATLAB or Python

Antenna / RF design

Data analysis

Education

Master's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent

Tools

HFSS

FEKO

CST

ADS

Job description

Description

Are you interested in advancing the state of the art in antennas and RF apertures for next-generation sensor systems?
Do you enjoy combining high-fidelity modeling with hands-on RF hardware development?
If so, we\'re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

The Sensor Technologies Group has an exciting opportunity for an engineer who is motivated to make critical contributions to our nation’s defense through advanced antenna modeling, test & measurement, antenna hardware design and system integration. In this position, you will develop and apply analytical, simulation, and experimental techniques to understand and optimize the performance of advanced RF apertures and phased array systems, while also building and testing RF hardware to demonstrate new concepts.

As a RF Antenna Systems & Hardware Engineer you will..

• Develop and apply antenna and RF aperture modeling and simulation tools (e.g., full-wave EM solvers, array analysis codes, custom MATLAB/Python tools) to design, analyze, and trade antenna and array performance across a variety of operational scenarios.
• Plan, execute, and analyze antenna and RF aperture measurements in laboratory, chamber, and field test environments, including radiation pattern measurements, gain and efficiency, impedance, polarization characteristics, and array calibration.
• Lead the rapid prototyping, integration, and debug of antenna systems, including RF front ends, feed networks, and integration of antennas with RF electronics and software-defined radios. Use RF lab equipment and automated test scripts to quickly assess and iterate on designs.
• Collaborate closely with antenna designers, RF hardware engineers, and systems engineers to translate modeling, measurement, and prototyping results into system-level recommendations and design updates, and document and present findings in internal reports and technical briefings to sponsors.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have...

• A Master\'s in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent, with a concentration in electromagnetics (EM), RF, or related fields.
• 3+ years of experience in antenna or RF aperture modeling, test, and measurement for radar, EW, or communication systems.
• Experience with commercial computational EM software packages such as HFSS, FEKO, CST, ADS, or equivalent.
• Hands-on experience developing or integrating antenna and RF hardware (e.g., RF front ends, feed networks, up/down converters, LNAs, PAs) and basic RF prototyping and debug.
• Strong MATLAB or Python skills for data processing, visualization, automation, and development of custom analysis tools.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed, for field tests, range measurements, or sponsor engagements.
• An Active Secret Clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You\'ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• A Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent
• Experience with advanced antenna measurement techniques (e.g., near-field to far-field transformations, compact range measurements, array calibration, polarization purity characterization).
• Experience with RF PCB design tools and techniques and the rapid prototyping of RF hardware (e.g., quick-turn boards, evaluation boards, or custom front-end modules).
• Experience with RF lab equipment such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, arbitrary waveform generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Experience planning and executing antenna or RF aperture measurements in anechoic chambers or other antenna test facilities, and interpreting measured pattern and S parameter data.
• An Active Top Secret Clearance

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate
105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate
290,000 Annually