Principal RF Design Engineer 6

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401(k) Savings Plan

Education Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Kratos Microwave, Inc., a Kratos' company, seeks a Principal RF Design Engineer 6 to work on-site at our Folsom, CA facility. You will design RF & microwave SSPAs, develop prototypes using GaN/GaAs/InP/SiGe technologies, and ensure reliability for aerospace/defense platforms.

The role requires independent work and team collaboration, with the ability to obtain security clearance. On-site work in San Jose or Folsom, CA, is expected. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Requires 8+ years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 6+ years with a Master’s, or a PhD with 4+ years.

Responsibilities

• Design RF and microwave SSPAs from concept to prototype and production.
• Design matching networks using harmonic balance and load-pull contours.
• Develop system-level block diagrams and physical design for reliability and derating.
• Work with assembly/test teams to support build, tuning, and test of SSPAs.
• Contribute to bid/proposal activities for new customer requirements.

Skills

RF design

Microwave circuits

ability to obtain security clearance

engineering problem solving

fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree + experience; or Master’s + experience; or PhD + experience

Tools

Microwave Office

VSS

CST

Altium

AutoCAD

ORCAD

Allegro

Job description

Job Description

Kratos Microwave, Inc., a Kratos' company, is looking for a Principal RF Design Engineer 6 to work onsite at their Folsom, CA facility.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises.

At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees and families. Recognized as thought leaders in our industry, we are motivated by creating and delivering innovative solutions to our nation and global customers. We proactively build trusted relationships with our peers, partners and customers, and take ownership for our actions—always striving to do the right thing.

Kratos offers medical, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and more.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

RF & Microwave Solid State Power Amplifier Design Engineer. You will be responsible for the design and development of RF & Microwave solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs), from conceptual system level design to device and component selection. You will develop and prototype SSPAs at frequencies from 500 MHz to 100 GHz using state-of-the-art device technologies including GaN, GaAs, InP, and SiGe. You will design products that are intended to operate in harsh environments for high reliability applications in the aerospace & defense market including land-based, ship-board, airborne, and space platforms.

Expected to work both independently and as a member of a multi-functional team.

This position requires the ability to obtain security clearance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Complete knowledge and full understanding of area of specialization, principles and practices within a professional discipline.
• Assesses unusual circumstances and uses sophisticated analytical and problem-solving techniques to identify cause.
• Resolves and assesses a wide range of issues in creative ways and suggests variations in approach.
• This job is the fully qualified, experienced professional, journey-level position.
• Works on problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
• Devises solutions based on limited information and precedent and adapts existing approaches to resolve issues.
• Uses evaluation, judgment, and interpretation to select right course of action.
• Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points.
• Enhances relationships and networks with senior internal/external partners who are not familiar with the subject matter often requiring persuasion.
• Adapts style to differing audiences and often advises others on difficult matters.
• System level block diagram development, cascade analysis, and physical design and mechanical / architectural layout including designing to meet customer reliability and derating requirements.
• Design RF & microwave amplifier assemblies, analog control circuits, power supplies and power conditioning circuitry, and some basic digital circuitry for command-&-control and fault sensing & reporting.
• Design RF matching networks using harmonic balance non-linear simulation, large signal models, and load-pull contours.
• Design for manufacturability, automated assembly & test (DFMAT)
• Responsible for design and layout of both MIC hybrid (chip-&-wire) modules and SMT PCBA assemblies using Cadence’s Microwave Office, AutoCAD, and Altium, ORCAD, or Allegro.
• Work with production personnel in Assembly & Test to support the build, tuning & alignment, and test of SSPA products.
• Responsible for the on-time development and delivery of new products to customer schedules within budget, adhering to the Product Development Process stage gate process.
• Contribute to Bid & Proposal activities as assigned to address new customer requirements.
• Experience in RF and Microwave circuit design including simulation and layout with relevant RF & mechanical CAD software (e.g. Microwave Office, VSS, CST, Altium, AutoCAD, etc.).
• Strong practical bench skills with RF test equipment in a cleanroom lab environment.
• Experience with RF test equipment including Signal Generators, Network Analyzers, VNAs / PNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Experience And Skills

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the assigned duties, including computer skills.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by company and government requirements.
• Communicate and interact effectively with peers, supervisors, and public, including maintaining respect for others, and following company policies.
• Have a willingness and ability to learn and utilize company technology for company required purposes, including, for example training, reviewing, and signing policies and procedures, benefits enrollment, and changes, and more.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow instructions.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to maintain knowledge, skills, and abilities as it pertains to your job.
• Ability to obtain security clearance

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 4 years’ experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position is a full-time on-site position based out of either our San Jose (CA) or Folsom (CA) facilities. The work environment will be split roughly 50/50 between a cubicle office environment with computer aided design work and a cleanroom lab environment working on electronics hardware on the bench inside the cleanroom.

Travel Requirements: Yes, infrequent travel may be required to visit customers and suppliers. Estimate 10%.

Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $180,000.00

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affimitive? EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation

If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to [e-mail] or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency

The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

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