Radio Frequency Engineer

Oleo Sustainable Palm Oil Solutions; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company equity

Healthcare and dental insurance

Competitive PTO

Job summary

Oleo is seeking an RF Engineer to lead the electromagnetic design and integration of a custom industrial microwave reactor. You will develop design principles and RF architecture to achieve uniform heating at industrial scale, including optimal geometry, working with mechanical and process engineers to ensure reliability, scalability and safe performance.

Responsibilities include designing high-power microwave applicator systems, performing EM simulations (HFSS, CST, COMSOL), integrating

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years experience in RF, microwave, or high-frequency power systems.
• Experience with high-power microwave systems (kW-100s kW range preferred).
• Proficiency in EM simulation tools (HFSS, CST, COMSOL, or similar).
• Strong understanding of waveguides, impedance matching, cavity design, and power coupling.
• Experience integrating commercial microwave generators and RF components.
• Hands-on testing, tuning, and troubleshooting RF systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and model high-power microwave applicator systems for uniform volumetric heating.
• Develop RF design principles for homogeneous field distribution.
• Run EM simulations to optimize cavity geometry and waveguide coupling.
• Define specs for and integrate microwave generators, circulators, and waveguides.
• Design impedance matching and power distribution strategies.
• Minimize hot spots, standing waves, and field non-uniformities.
• Define power requirements and scale-up to 600 kg/hr throughput.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers on applicator design and thermal management.
• Support commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting of the full-scale system.
• Establish RF safety and shielding protocols.

Skills

RF engineering experience

Waveguide knowledge

Troubleshooting RF systems

Education

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

CST

COMSOL

Job description

Oleo is an early-stage biomanufacturing company developing a platform to produce carbon-negative oil feedstocks for advanced fuel production. Our technology combines microwave hydrolysis and microbial fermentation to convert biomass waste into oil feedstocks, addressing a $21B market. Oleo's platform reduces cost exposure and improves supply chain stability for energy producers, with a targeted ~22% cost reduction compared to incumbent seed oils. This technology was developed by Oleo's founders at Stanford University and is in the process of being scaled to the 300L setting at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Oleo is supported by Activate, DOE Leep @ Cyclotron Road, and BEAM Circular, and has received investment from Gener8tor, Safar Partners, Alpine Social Ventures, Collab Fund, and G-Force.

Role Description

As the RF Engineer, you will lead the electromagnetic design and integration of a custom industrial microwave reactor. Your core responsibility will be developing the design principles and RF architecture required to achieve uniform, homogeneous heating throughout a custom microwave applicator operating at industrial scale, including optimal geometry.

You will work cross-functionally with mechanical and process engineers to ensure the system delivers reliable, scalable, and safe performance.

Primary Responsibilities of this Role Include

• Design and model high-power microwave applicator systems for uniform volumetric heating
• Develop RF design principles to ensure homogeneous field distribution within a biomass slurry reactor
• Perform electromagnetic simulations (e.g., HFSS, CST, COMSOL) to optimize cavity geometry and waveguide coupling
• Define specifications for and integrate off-the-shelf microwave generators, magnetrons or solid-state sources, circulators, and waveguides
• Design impedance matching and power distribution strategies
• Minimize hot spots, standing waves, and field non-uniformities
• Define power requirements and scale-up architecture to support 600 kg/hr throughput
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers on applicator design, materials selection, and thermal management
• Support commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting of the full-scale system
• Establish RF safety and shielding protocols

As the Ideal Candidate, You Would Bring

• MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years experience in RF, microwave, or high-frequency power systems (industrial microwave experience strongly preferred)
• Experience with high-power microwave systems (kW-100s kW range preferred)
• Proficiency in EM simulation tools (HFSS, CST, COMSOL, or similar)
• Strong understanding of waveguides, impedance matching, cavity design, and power coupling
• Experience integrating commercial microwave generators and RF components
• Hands-on experience with testing, tuning, and troubleshooting RF systems

What We Offer

• Annual salary of $110,000 with potential for expanded responsibilities and corresponding compensation growth as the company advances through the seed stage.
• Company equity.
• Healthcare and dental insurance.
• Competitive PTO.
• Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to sponsor visas.

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you're excited about this role, but do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed above, we encourage you to apply.