Radio Frequency Microwave Engineer

Vivid Technology; Maryland; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Technology in the United States (Maryland) is seeking an RF / Microwave Design Engineer to join the Advanced Development team. This hands-on role focuses on next-generation RF/microwave transceivers for SATCOM user terminals, guiding designs from circuit concept through prototype bring-up and qualification.

The successful candidate will design and test RF front-end hardware, perform impedance matching, S-parameter analysis, and use tools such as ADS/HFSS, Microwave Office, and Cadence.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on RF/microwave circuit design experience.
• Experience with PAs, LNAs, mixers, filters, PLLs, VCOs.
• Proficient with RF design tools (ADS, HFSS, Microwave Office).
• Strong knowledge of S-parameters, impedance matching, noise figure, linearity.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF/microwave circuits and transceiver front-end hardware.
• Perform RF circuit simulation and modelling using Keysight ADS, HFSS or similar tools.
• Bring up and debug RF boards and prototype transceiver hardware.
• Characterize RF performance using VNAs and spectrum analyzers.
• Develop automated RF test and validation routines using Python or MATLAB.

Skills

RF/microwave design

Circuit design

RF testing

Python or MATLAB

ADS/HFSS

Impedance matching

S-parameter analysis

PCB design tools

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

ADS

HFSS

Microwave Office

Cadence Allegro/OrCAD

Altium

Job description

We are currently recruiting for an RF / Microwave Design Engineer to join the Advanced Development team of a global leader in satellite communications technology.

This is a hands-on RF circuit design and development position focused on next-generation RF/microwave transceivers for advanced SATCOM user terminals.

The successful engineer will work across the full RF hardware development lifecycle, from circuit design, simulation and component selection through schematic development, prototype bring-up, RF characterization, debugging and qualification.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF/microwave circuits and transceiver front-end hardware.
• Design and characterize RF circuits including Power Amplifiers (PAs), LNAs, mixers, filters, PLLs and VCOs.
• Perform RF circuit simulation and modelling using Keysight ADS, HFSS or similar tools.
• Support schematic design, PCB development and RF/microwave component selection.
• Perform impedance matching, S-parameter analysis, noise figure, linearity, gain and RF performance analysis.
• Bring up and debug new RF boards, circuits and prototype transceiver hardware.
• Characterize RF performance using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, vector signal generators/analyzers and other RF laboratory equipment.
• Develop automated RF test and validation routines using Python or MATLAB.
• Support hardware verification, qualification and transition into production.
• Collaborate with antenna, modem/DSP, systems, electrical and manufacturing engineering teams.

Experience & Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on RF/microwave circuit design and development experience.
• Experience designing RF circuits such as PAs, LNAs, mixers, filters, PLLs, VCOs or frequency synthesizers.
• Experience using ADS, HFSS, Microwave Office or similar RF design/simulation tools.
• Strong understanding of RF/microwave fundamentals including S-parameters, impedance matching, noise figure, linearity and RF signal chains.
• Hands-on experience with RF test and measurement equipment.
• Experience with Cadence Allegro/OrCAD, Altium or similar would be beneficial.
• Python or MATLAB experience for RF modelling, data analysis or test automation is highly desirable.
• Experience within Ku/Ka-band, SATCOM, phased-array, aerospace or advanced wireless systems would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for an RF engineer looking to take ownership of real RF hardware development and work on advanced satellite communications technology from initial circuit design through to fully tested and qualified hardware.