Principal Electrical Engineer-RF/Microwave Design

Prattwhitney; United States; On-site; USD 118,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k) match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

RTX in Goleta, CA, is seeking an experienced RF/microwave hardware engineer to lead design from concept to production. You will develop RF/microwave circuitry, translate system requirements into schematics, and support PCB/CCA design while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

The role requires onsite work and active security clearance; travel for integration activities may be needed. You will mentor engineering talent and contribute to multiple programs in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in STEM with 8+ years of experience, or advanced degree with 5+ years.
• Experience designing RF/microwave hardware up to ~40 GHz and beyond.
• Experience with schematic capture, component selection, and hardware debugging.

Responsibilities

• Own RF/microwave hardware designs from concept through production.
• Define system, module, and component-level architecture.
• Translate requirements into block diagrams, schematics, and hardware solutions.
• Design and develop RF, microwave, mixed-signal, and power circuitry.
• Create schematics, select components, and support PCB/CCA design.
• Lead and mentor RF/microwave design teams across programs.

Skills

RF/microwave hardware design

System architecture

Schematic capture and debugging

Leadership in design teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

HFSS

ADS

Genesys

SPICE

MATLAB

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-14 Country: United States of America Location: US-CA-GOLETA-H01 ~ 6380 Hollister Ave ~ BLDG H01 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: Secret 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. Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedom and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense. At Raytheon, our Electronic Warfare teams design and deliver advanced Radio Frequency and microwave hardware that protects platforms and missions in the most demanding operational environments. The Advanced RF Hardware Section in Goleta, California is the focal point for cutting-edge EW hardware development, from early architecture through production and test. This position is onsite in Goleta, CA.

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. This position requires onsite work in Goleta, CA: Welcome to Raytheon in Goleta, CA This position requires security clearance.

What You Will Do

• Own RF/microwave hardware designs from concept through production.
• Participate in defining system, module, and component-level architecture.
• Translate system requirements into block diagrams, schematics, and hardware solutions.
• Design and develop RF, microwave, mixed-signal, and power circuitry.
• Create schematics, select components, and support PCB/CCA design.
• Contribute to integrated RF assemblies including amplifiers, filters, mixers, LNAs, PAs, and related subsystems.
• Use industry-standard tools such as HFSS, ADS, Genesys, SPICE, and MATLAB.
• Analyze performance across frequency, noise, gain, linearity, and signal integrity domains.
• Debug and validate designs at the board and module level.
• Use lab equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and power supplies.
• Demonstrate leadership within the RF/microwave design team and multidisciplinary engineering teams, including plans and execution on one or more simultaneous programs to meet technical, schedule, and cost requirements.
• Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and test engineers.
• Support design reviews and technical trade studies across the full lifecycle.
• May support proposals for both Cost and Technical Volumes.
• Mentor and develop the engineering and technical talent within the team.
• Occasional travel to support integration activities at Raytheon facilities, subcontractors, or customer sites as needed.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of experience, or an advanced degree in a related field and minimum 5 years’ experience.
• Experience designing and developing RF/microwave hardware, with ability to operate as a subject matter expert.
• Experience designing hardware operating into microwave and higher-frequency regimes (up to ~40 GHz and beyond).
• Experience with RF/microwave, digital, and power electronics on complex boards.
• Experience with schematic capture, component selection, and hardware debugging.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Background in Electronic Warfare, radar, aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding hardware environments.
• Experience supporting hardware through integration, test, and production.
• Experience in engineering oversight of defense programs including tracking of requirements, cost, and schedule.

What We Offer

• parental (including paternal) leave
• flexible work schedules
• achievement awards
• educational assistance
• child/adult backup care
• healthcare
• wellness
• work/life benefits
• career development and recognition programs
• 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
• holidays
• relocation assistance available

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.

More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process.

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.

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, the company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. 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.