Principal Antenna/RF Front End Design Engineer

Prattwhitney; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

RTX BBN Technologies (BBN) in Arlington, VA (or Columbia, MD) seeks an experienced RF and Antenna Design Engineer to join a team delivering networked sensor system solutions for DoD and IC customers. The role emphasizes RF front‑end design, antenna systems, and high‑fidelity modeling, with onsite requirements in Arlington/Columbia.

The position requires a STEM degree with extensive experience and eligibility for a U.S. government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years of experience.
• Experience with antenna system design, modeling, prototyping and deployment.
• Experience with RF front‑end design (LNA, PA, filters, distribution).
• Experience with system design, cascade analysis, link budgets, control interfaces.
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement RF systems from the lab to field deployment.
• Collaborate with scientists to prototype sensing systems for DoD/IC tasks.
• Model, simulate, and validate antennas, matching networks, and RF components.
• Conduct testing across lab and field environments; iterate designs based on results.
• Prepare designs and data for government customers and program reviews.

Skills

Antenna design

RF front-end design

System design

Security clearance eligibility

Citizenship required

Education

STEM degree

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-11-04 Country: United States of America Location: US-VA-ARLINGTON-111 ~ 1300 17Th St N ~ BBN ARLINGTON Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance Security Clearance Type: DoD Clearance: TS/SCI Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Role Overview:

RTX BBN Technologies (BBN) has solved challenging problems of high importance to our customers in the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community and Industry by rapidly prototyping systems for sensing complex physical phenomena, correlating them to events of interest, and producing high-value, actionable information from the sensed data. The team specializes in delivering networked sensor system solutions by combining a strong understanding of the underlying physics, high-fidelity modeling, simulation of complex signatures and propagation phenomenology, deep expertise in signal processing, EM and RF phenomenology, and computer science, proven capabilities in system development, and mature tools to enable rapid design cycles from theory to demonstration. We are currently searching for a highly qualified RF and Antenna Design Engineer to join our team in Arlington, VA or Columbia, MD. The position requires routine onsite presence at our Arlington, VA or Columbia, MD office. As an RF Engineer at BBN, you will work with scientists to implement RF systems in support of cutting‑edge research. RF systems include everything between the digital domain and air; antennas, matching networks, feedlines, filters, low noise/power amplifiers, signal distribution and switching in a variety of environments from the lab to field tests to autonomous operation. Frequencies range from HF to millimeter‑wave at powers levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The goal is to find low technical risk solutions that work the first time, are repeatable and provide the margins needed to support the science. Solutions can be custom designed and purpose‑built hardware or commercial off‑the‑shelf components and no two projects will ever be the same.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience
• Experience with antenna system design, modeling, prototyping and deployment
• Experience with RF front‑end design; LNA, PA, gain control, filters, RF distribution
• Experience with system design, cascade analysis, link budgets, control interfaces
• Ability to obtain a government security clearance
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Position may require some overnight travel
• Experience applying advanced methods, theories, and R&D techniques to solve difficult problems
• Skillset to tackle research challenges proactively with minimal supervision and periodic check‑ins with team leads
• Experience documenting designs and scientific findings with opportunities to present to government customers
• Hands‑on experience building RF systems and antennas, verification testing and fielding hardware
• Proposal support: Preparing cost estimates, BOMs, technical descriptions, schedules and labor estimates

To help you achieve your goals, BBN will provide: A strong leadership team well‑versed in government R&D. A collaborative and collegial environment to push state‑of‑the‑art research. A technically competent pool of research scientists who are willing to mentor, listen, and help you refine our research vision and strategy. Business development, programmatic, contracting, finance, and HR support. Access, through RTX, to opportunities that help transition capabilities and ultimately see it fielded.

What We Offer:

Benefits:

Whether you’re just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care. Relocation Assistance available

Work Location: Onsite - Arlington, VA or Columbia, MD

Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role: Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in‑person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on‑site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 118,300 USD - 224,900 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX 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. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry‑leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.