Radio Frequency Engineer

Akkar; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Akkar is seeking an experienced RF Engineer in the United States for a hands-on hardware role. You will design, build and test RF hardware, with emphasis on analog circuits and discrete components, high‑performance amplifiers, and transmit/receive chains.

The role covers analog transparent / bent-pipe payload architectures and may involve ASIC design depending on experience. Terrestrial or space backgrounds are welcome; ITAR considerations apply.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of RF design experience.
• Strong practical analog/RF design capability with hands-on lab experience.
• Experience designing analog circuits using discrete components.
• Experience with high-performance RF amplifiers and transmit/receive chains.
• Knowledge of analog transparent / bent-pipe payload architectures.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop analog/RF circuits using discrete components.
• Work on high-performance RF amplifiers and transmit/receive chains.
• Contribute to the design of complex RF payload and communications architectures.
• Work with analog transparent / bent-pipe payload architectures.
• Build, modify and troubleshoot prototype hardware.
• Perform hands-on laboratory testing, measurement and validation.
• Diagnose performance issues and iterate designs to meet specs.
• Collaborate with other RF and electronics engineers.
• Potentially contribute to ASIC design and development.

Skills

RF design

Analog circuit design

Discrete components

High-performance amplifiers

Transmit/receive chains

Bent-pipe architectures

ASIC design

Satellite RF payloads

Terrestrial or space background

Job description

Sector: RF / Communications / Space / Advanced Technology

The Opportunity:

I’m working with a rapidly growing space technology company developing a next-generation MEO satellite constellation, and I'm looking for an experienced, highly hands-on RF Engineer.

This is a technically focused role for an engineer who enjoys getting close to the hardware - designing circuits, building prototypes, testing in the lab and solving challenging RF problems. You will be involved across the design lifecycle, with particular emphasis on analog circuit design, high-performance amplifiers and transmit/receive chains.

The ideal candidate will have experience designing analog circuits using discrete components and an understanding of analog transparent (bent-pipe) payload architectures.

We are open to engineers coming from either terrestrial or space backgrounds. What matters most is strong practical RF design experience and the ability to take a design from concept through to physical hardware and test.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop analog/RF circuits using discrete components.
• Work on high-performance RF amplifiers and transmit/receive chains.
• Contribute to the design of complex RF payload and communications architectures.
• Work with analog transparent / bent-pipe payload architectures.
• Build, modify and troubleshoot prototype hardware.
• Perform hands-on laboratory testing, measurement and validation.
• Diagnose performance issues and iterate designs to achieve required specifications.
• Work closely with other engineers across the wider RF and electronics development team.
• Potentially contribute to ASIC design and development, depending on experience.
• 5+ years' RF design experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with analog circuit design using discrete components.
• Experience with high-performance amplifiers.
• Experience working with transmit and receive chains.
• Practical experience designing, building and testing RF hardware.
• Strong laboratory skills and a willingness to be physically involved with hardware.
• Experience with RF systems from either a terrestrial or space background.
• Experience with ASIC design or involvement in ASIC development.
• Experience with satellite communications or RF payloads.
• Knowledge of analog transparent / bent-pipe architectures.
• Experience taking RF designs from initial concept through prototype, test and validation.

The Person:

This role is not a management position. We are specifically looking for an engineer who is comfortable getting hands-on with the hardware. You should be someone who enjoys spending time in the lab, putting circuits together, testing performance, debugging problems and understanding why something isn't working - rather than simply specifying requirements or managing a team of engineers. A terrestrial RF background is absolutely acceptable. The key requirement is strong practical analog/RF design capability and genuine hands-on laboratory experience.

Why Join?

You will have the opportunity to work on technically challenging RF systems within an engineering-led environment, with significant scope to influence the hardware and contribute directly to the development of advanced RF technology.

If you're an experienced RF engineer who still wants to design, build, test and solve problems at the bench, we'd like to hear from you.

The role is subject to US ITAR requirements, so applicants will need to meet the relevant eligibility requirements.