Principal Radio Frequency Engineer

Rise Technical; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Rise Technical is seeking a Senior/Principal RF Engineer to lead next-generation SATCOM hardware, taking designs from concept through prototype, bench testing and production with strong technical autonomy.

You will join a close-knit team covering RF, systems and PCB layout, influence technology direction, and drive IRAD projects. Work across X-, Ku- and Ka-bands and contribute to future LEO/MEO technologies, delivering high-frequency hardware in a dynamic aerospace/defense environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years hands-on RF/Microwave engineering experience.
• Experience with X-band or higher within SATCOM, aerospace or defense.
• Strong experience across RF design, simulation, prototyping and bench testing.

Responsibilities

• Own next-generation SATCOM hardware from RF design through prototype, testing and production.
• Work hands-on across X-band, Ku-band and Ka-band, solving complex RF challenges.
• Lead IRAD projects shaping the company's technology roadmap, with freedom to introduce new ideas.
• Work on future LEO and MEO technologies and see your designs move from schematic to satellite.

Skills

RF design

GHz expertise

Prototyping

Bench testing

Tools

PCB layout

RF simulation tools

Job description

$145,000 - $175,000 + 9/80 Schedule + Bonuses + Technical Leadership + Autonomy + Long-Term Development

(Commutable from: St. Petersburg, Largo, Tampa, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar)

Are you a Senior or Principal RF Engineer looking for a highly technical, hands-on role where you can set the direction of next-generation SATCOM hardware and have real influence over how products are designed?

On offer is a critical long-term position with a growing aerospace and defense manufacturer, where you'll become the senior technical point of contact for RF and take projects from initial specification and design through prototype build, bench testing and production.

You'll join a close-knit engineering team covering RF, systems, PCB layout and more, giving you a broad scope across the full product lifecycle. You'll remain hands-on while reviewing designs, supporting other engineers and leading internally funded R&D projects, with genuine influence over the technical direction of the business.

The business is already delivering SATCOM solutions to military customers and is investing in the next generation of technology, including future LEO and MEO systems. You'll work on high-frequency SATCOM hardware across X-band and above, with the autonomy to introduce new technologies and see your designs go from the bench all the way to the customer.

This is a role built around autonomy, variety and technical ownership. You'll have the freedom of a smaller engineering business, while working on complex products where your decisions genuinely matter.

The Role:

• Own next-generation SATCOM hardware from RF design through prototype, testing and production
• Work hands-on across X-band, Ku-band and Ka-band, solving complex RF challenges
• Lead IRAD projects shaping the company's technology roadmap, with freedom to introduce new ideas
• Work on future LEO and MEO technologies and see your designs move from schematic to satellite

The Person:

• 10+ years' hands-on RF/Microwave engineering experience, with strong GHz-frequency expertise
• Experience with X-band or higher within SATCOM, aerospace or defense
• Strong experience across RF design, simulation, prototyping and bench testing