Radio Frequency Design Engineer

AppleOne Employment Services; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services has a client seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer in the Camarillo, CA area. The role focuses on advanced microwave and frequency-control technologies for aerospace and satellite communications programs.

You will lead technical projects from concept through production and mentor junior engineers. Responsibilities include developing RF/microwave hardware, evaluating design options, and interfacing with customers to translate requirements into practical solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years in RF and microwave engineering
• Hands-on RF/microwave oscillator design experience
• Strong RF fundamentals: matching, cascade analysis, noise figure

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of RF and microwave hardware for customer applications.
• Serve as technical lead on projects involving oscillators, frequency conversion, power distribution, and amplifiers.
• Translate customer specifications into engineering solutions and technical proposals.
• Develop design alternatives, perform cost, schedule, and development estimates.
• Conduct tuning, characterization, troubleshooting, and testing of prototype hardware.
• Create procedures, test documentation, and production support materials with manufacturing teams.
• Provide engineering leadership and mentorship through design reviews and guidance.

Skills

RF/microwave design

Oscillator design

Impedance matching

S-parameter analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ADS

AWR Microwave Office

OrCAD

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a highly experienced RF Design Engineer to play a key role in the development of advanced microwave and frequency-control technologies supporting next-generation aerospace and satellite communications programs. This position will be responsible for leading technical projects, developing innovative RF solutions, and guiding products from concept through production.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of RF and microwave hardware for complex customer applications.
• Serve as a technical lead on projects involving oscillators, frequency conversion products, power distribution systems, and amplifier technologies.
• Review customer specifications and translate technical requirements into practical engineering solutions.
• Develop technical proposals, evaluate design alternatives, and participate in customer-facing engineering discussions.
• Generate cost, schedule, manufacturing, and development estimates for new product opportunities.
• Perform RF circuit and subsystem design activities independently.
• Design and support analog control functions such as gain regulation, voltage control, automatic level control, and temperature compensation.
• Assess product compliance with electrical, mechanical, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish engineering methods, design approaches, and technical solutions for new development programs.
• Conduct tuning, characterization, troubleshooting, and testing of prototype hardware.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and test teams to create procedures, test documentation, and production support materials.
• Provide sound technical leadership and engineering judgment throughout the development cycle.
• Contribute to ongoing technology innovation and product improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and support junior engineers through design reviews, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing.
• Perform additional engineering-related responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor\'s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in RF and microwave engineering.
• Strong hands-on experience designing RF/microwave oscillators across multiple architectures, including ultra-low phase noise applications.
• Deep understanding of RF engineering fundamentals, including impedance matching, amplifier design, cascade analysis, stability, distortion, noise figure, and related concepts.
• Proven experience with RF simulation, analysis, testing, and hardware implementation.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design and simulation tools such as ADS, AWR Microwave Office, or similar platforms.
• Strong knowledge of RF PCB design practices, including component placement, shielding, microstrip implementation, and matching networks.
• Experience operating RF test equipment and performing laboratory measurements.
• Demonstrated involvement throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept and proposal stages through production release.
• Ability to manage multiple programs and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience creating and reviewing engineering documentation, including schematics, BOMs, assembly drawings, and test plans.
• Familiarity with schematic capture software such as OrCAD.
• Prior experience providing technical oversight or mentoring other engineers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong process-improvement mindset and commitment to engineering best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with InP-based VCO development.
• Background in microwave circuit design through Ka-band frequencies.
• Previous experience supporting aerospace, defense, satellite communications, or space-related applications.