Engineering Manager, Antenna & RF Hardware

General Motors; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Motors in Warren, MI seeks an experienced technical leader to build and guide a team focused on antenna and RF front‑end challenges. The role combines people leadership with deep hands‑on technical work across design, simulation, validation, and problem solving to enable successful product execution.

The candidate will define technical strategy, navigate undefined problem spaces, and drive data‑driven decisions while collaborating with product, engineering, and supplier teams.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field.
• 7+ years of antenna and/or RF development experience or similar.
• Proven success leading antenna or RF front‑end design efforts from concept through production.
• Strong background in antenna design, EM simulation, RF circuit design, and system‑level optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of antenna and RF hardware engineers.
• Establish technical direction for complex antenna and RF front‑end programs.
• Guide simulation, measurement, validation, and root‑cause investigations for data‑driven decisions.
• Foster technical growth and high‑performance engineering practices.
• Remain hands‑on and contribute to design, simulation, testing, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Represent antenna and RF engineering in reviews and cross‑functional forums.
• Drive prioritization, resource planning, and execution across multiple development programs.
• Collaborate with product teams to define roadmaps and requirements.

Skills

Antenna design

RF front‑end

EM simulation

Leadership

Cross‑functional collaboration

Technical mentorship

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

CST

ANSYS

ADS

AWR

Job description

The automotive wireless space is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing demands for advanced connectivity technologies including 5G MIMO, Wi-Fi 7, GNSS, V2X, BLE, UWB, NTN, and traditional broadcast systems. Delivering world-class wireless performance requires balancing vehicle styling, aerodynamics, cost, manufacturability, and RF performance while supporting aggressive vehicle development timelines.

We are seeking an experienced technical leader to build and lead a team focused on solving complex antenna and RF front-end challenges. This is a hands‑on leadership role requiring both people leadership and deep technical expertise. The successful candidate will provide technical direction, guide engineering decisions, support product development, and remain actively involved in antenna and RF design, simulation, validation, and problem‑solving activities when needed.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Antennas, this individual will help define technical strategy, navigate complex and undefined problem spaces, and drive data‑based decisions that enable successful product execution.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of antenna and RF hardware engineers.
• Establish technical direction for complex antenna and RF front‑end development programs.
• Guide simulation, measurement, validation, and root‑cause investigations to support data‑driven decision making.
• Foster technical growth, career development, and high‑performance engineering practices within the team.
• Remain hands‑on and capable of contributing directly to design, simulation, testing, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Represent antenna and RF engineering in technical reviews, leadership discussions, and cross‑functional forums.
• Drive prioritization, resource planning, and execution across multiple development programs.

Antenna & RF Hardware Development

• Lead the design and development of antenna systems supporting cellular, GNSS, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, V2X, satellite radio, and emerging wireless technologies.
• Guide RF front‑end architecture development including LNAs, matching networks, filters, diplexers, multiplexers, and related circuit functionality.
• Support electromagnetic simulation, RF analysis, and performance optimization activities.
• Ensure successful correlation between simulation, laboratory testing, and vehicle‑level performance.
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturing, design‑for‑test, and reliability considerations throughout product development.
• Oversee prototype development, validation testing, and design verification activities.
• Support PCB design reviews, component selection, grounding strategies, shielding approaches, and RF performance optimization.
• Lead design analysis activities including tolerance studies, sensitivity analysis, and worst‑case performance assessments.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with product teams to define technology roadmaps, engineering requirements, and execution plans.
• Collaborate with RF desense and wireless systems teams to address coexistence, interference, and noise‑related challenges.
• Work closely with mechanical, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, test, and software teams to ensure successful product integration.
• Engage with suppliers and technology partners to advance antenna solutions and support sourcing strategies.
• Influence technical decisions across vehicle programs and ensure alignment with customer experience objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related STEM field.
• 7+ years of overall antenna and/or RF development experience or similar
• Significant experience in antenna and/or RF hardware development.
• Proven success leading antenna or RF front‑end design efforts from concept through production.
• Strong technical background spanning antenna design, electromagnetic simulation, RF circuit design, and system‑level performance optimization.
• Experience with RF/EM design and simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, ANSYS, ADS, or AWR.
• Hands‑on experience with RF laboratory equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and related measurement tools.
• Working knowledge of antenna characterization methods and RF performance analysis techniques.
• Experience leading engineering teams or providing technical leadership across complex development programs.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to navigate ambiguity while driving engineering decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with vehicle‑level RF desense and multi‑radio coexistence challenges.
• Prior people leadership experience within automotive, electronics, telecommunications, or high‑reliability industries.
• Knowledge of automotive qualification, EMC, and ESD requirements.
• Demonstrated innovation through patents, publications, or novel engineering solutions.