Direction Finding (DF)/Antenna RF Engineer

Thales Defense & Security, Inc.; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Yearly incentive

Medical insurance

401(k)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid leave

Parental leave

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. in Germantown, MD, is seeking a Direction Finding (DF)/Antenna RF Engineer to join our Germantown office.

You will design 360-degree antenna arrays and contribute to direction finding algorithms to support advanced RF subsystems. The ideal candidate holds an MSEE or equivalent and has hands-on RF test experience with SDRs and RF equipment, plus proficiency in HFSS, Microwave Office, ADS, Genesys, Matlab, and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required. Applicants may be subject to a government security investigation.
• MSEE or equivalent in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Electromagnetics, Antenna Theory, or Microwave Engineering.
• Interest in antenna theory supported by coursework, labs, or research projects.
• In-depth knowledge of DF algorithms – correlation and Eigen Vector methods.
• Experience with RF propagation parameters including gain, beamwidth, patterns, and efficiency.
• Experience using RF test equipment and Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Work in multidisciplinined teams to design and develop circular array antennas for 360-degree azimuth coverage and precise direction finding.
• Develop advanced direction finding algorithms.
• Collaborate in small RF teams or under supervision to define requirements, simulate, prototype, test, and optimize antenna and algorithm designs.
• Design, analyze, simulate, test and optimize antennas, RF amplifiers, and ancillaries for product performance.
• Perform system-level RF analysis including propagation, range estimates, and link budgets.
• Support prototype development and testing of antennas and RF subsystems.

Skills

Direction finding

Antenna design

RF engineering

English communication

Education

MSEE or equivalent

Tools

HFSS

Microwave Office

ADS

Genesys

Matlab

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Location: GERMANTOWN, MD, US, 20876

Date: Sep 9, 2026

Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) Headquartered in Clarksburg, MD, is a U.S. company that has been serving domestic and international defense Air, Land and Sea domains for 60+ years. With over 1,000 employees, TDSI and its four subsidiaries (Advanced Acoustic Concepts, Digital Receiver Technology, Tampa Microwave, and Trusted Cyber Technologies), supports U.S. Joint Services, special operations forces and multi-national partners with a variety of communication, visualization, signal intelligence/electronic warfare, and sensor/sonar capabilities. TDSI’s key technologies include tactical handheld radios, expeditionary satellite terminals, helmet-mounted displays, optics and target recognition capability, advanced radars, undersea sensing and missile systems. Lives dependon what we do!

Top Benefits (Subject to terms of applicable policies/plans)

• Yearly IncentiveCompensation Plan


• Medical insurance for self and eligible family members


• Generous 401(k) program- up to 7% company contribution and 100% immediate vesting


• Tuition Reimbursement


• Paid wellness, vacation, and holiday leave


• Paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave


• 9/80 Work Schedule (every other Friday off)

We are seeking a Direction Finding (DF)/ Antenna RF Engineer to work in our Germantown, MD office. This position reports to the Engineering Director.

Responsibilities

• Work within multidisciplined engineering project teams as an RF design engineer to design and develop circular array antennas to provide 360-degree spatial azimuth coverage and precise direction finding by evaluating phase and amplitude across symmetrically spaced elements.


• Participate in the development of advanced direction finding algorithms.


• Participate in small RF engineering teams and/or work under the supervision of a senior member of the RF design staff to define requirements, conceive, document, analyze/simulate, build prototypes, perform verification testing, debug, and optimize antenna and algorithm designs to meet requirements at the product level.


• Design/source, analyze/simulate, test and optimize antennas, external RF amplifiers, and ancillaries for use with products to achieve overall product performance requirements.


• Perform system level analysis to study RF propagation, range estimates, link budgets, cascade analysis, and sensitivity calculations.


• Support prototype development of advanced antennas and supporting RF subsystems, including fabrication and assembly of early prototypes.


• Contribute to technical trade studies and analyses to select RF architecture and key components.


• Assist other RF team members to develop and implement detailed design specifications, test plans and test procedures.


• Verify product performance vs. predictions for prototype products and production hardware products.


• Participate in continuous improvement and team building activities. Maintain productive working relationships with all team members.


• Complete assigned tasks in a quality and timely manner.


• Effectively support and communicate to management status, issues, needs and ideas.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• U.S. Citizenship required. -Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.


• MSEE or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Electromagnetics, Antenna Theory, or Microwave Engineering.

Interest in antenna theory, antenna design, and electromagnetics, supported by relevant graduate coursework, laboratory experience, or research projects.

In-depth theoretical knowledge of antenna theory and direction finding techniques, and RF propagation.

• Basic knowledge and understanding of DF algorithms – correlation and Eigen Vector methods


• Must be accustomed to working with various antenna performance parameters including gain, beamwidth, patterns/sidelobes/nulls, and efficiency.

Experience is desired utilizing engineering development software tools including RF propagation simulation, HFSS, Microwave Office, ADS, Genesys, Matlab, and Microsoft Office tools.

• Experience using Software Defined Radios (SDRs).

Hands-on experience is highly desired using RF test equipment and facilities, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, and RF anechoic chambers.

Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Ability to think \"out-of-the-box\", develop, and implement innovation design solutions.

Ability to comply with all Company guidelines, policies, procedures and embrace Company Core Values.

The annualized pay range for this role is $95,000.00 - $120,000.00USD along with a target incentive compensation plan (ICP) of5%. The pay range provided is a good faith estimate representative of the experience level for the role described above. TDSI considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

For specific questions about this job posting, candidates may contacttalent acquisitionat [e-mail].

ThalesDefense & Security, Inc.is committed to non-discrimination as applicable under federal, state and local laws. We are an E-Verify Employer.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales Defense & Security, Inc., please call Human Resources at 240-864-7000.

22605 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, Maryland 20871, United States

Phone (outside the U.S.): [phone]
Toll Free (in the U.S.): 800-258-4420