RF Applications Engineer

Analog Devices, Inc.; Dallas, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Analog Devices, Inc. is seeking a Senior Product Applications Engineer focusing on PLL/VCO and phased‑array radar systems.

You will be a technical authority, guiding customers, developing application collateral, and solving complex design challenges within multi‑channel RF configurations. You will collaborate with IC design, systems engineering, and marketing to shape product directions and accelerate adoption in radar and aerospace/defense markets.

Qualifications

• Strong system‑level understanding of frequency synthesis, phase noise, spurious mechanisms, and LO distribution in RF systems.
• Hands‑on experience with phased‑array radar or multi‑channel RF architectures.
• Proven expertise applying PLLs, VCOs, clock generators, and synthesizers in high‑performance RF designs.

Responsibilities

• Develop deep system‑level understanding of phased‑array radar and RF timing architectures; focus on synthesis, LO distribution, and synchronization.
• Serve as primary applications expert for PLL, VCO, clocking, and frequency generation ICs; support high‑frequency use cases.
• Lead development of reference designs, evaluation hardware, and customer documentation; communicate tradeoffs to customers.

Skills

RF System Knowledge

Phased‑array radar

PLL/VCO applications

Debug & analysis

Reference designs

Cross-functional

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

VNAs

Oscilloscopes

Job description

About Analog Devices

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.

Senior Product Applications Engineer – PLL/VCO & Phased Array Radar

About the Role: As a Senior Product Applications Engineer at Analog Devices (ADI), you will serve as a technical authority for PLL, VCO, and frequency‑generation products, with a primary focus on phased‑array radar, electronic warfare, and advanced RF systems. You will enable customers to successfully integrate ADI timing and RF solutions into complex, multi‑channel architectures by providing system‑level guidance, developing application collateral, and solving challenging real‑world design problems. In this senior role, you will work closely with IC design, systems engineering, marketing, and key customers to shape product definitions, accelerate adoption in radar and aerospace/defense markets, and mentor junior engineers. Your work will directly influence next‑generation phased‑array performance, including phase noise, spurious performance, synchronization, and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

• Phased Array & RF System Expertise: Develop deep system‑level understanding of phased‑array radar, EW, SATCOM, and high‑performance RF signal chains, with emphasis on frequency synthesis, LO distribution, and synchronization
• Advise customers on phase noise budgeting, spurious analysis, coherency, and calibration in large multi‑channel systems
• PLL/VCO Application Leadership: Serve as the primary applications expert for PLL, VCO, clocking, and frequency‑generation ICs, supporting high‑frequency and low‑jitter use cases
• Guide device selection and architecture tradeoffs involving fractional‑N PLLs, wideband synthesizers, external VCOs, and integrated solutions
• Advanced Tool & Reference Design Development: Lead development of evaluation boards, phased‑array reference platforms, simulation tools, and software utilities that demonstrate best‑in‑class RF and timing performance
• Create application notes and design examples addressing real‑world challenges such as LO leakage, spur mitigation, multi‑chip synchronization, and thermal effects
• Cross‑Functional Technical Leadership: Collaborate closely with IC design, systems engineering, marketing, and sales to influence product roadmaps and accelerate adoption in radar and ADEF markets
• Act as a technical bridge between customers and internal teams, translating system requirements into actionable product feedback
• Complex Customer Problem Solving: Support strategic customers by diagnosing and resolving advanced RF and timing issues using measurements, simulations, and system‑level analysis
• Provide on‑site or virtual design support for critical customer programs
• Product Validation & Characterization: Define and execute bench‑level and system‑level validation plans for PLL/VCO products, including phase noise, spurs, switching behavior, and temperature performance
• Support qualification activities relevant to aerospace, defense, and high‑reliability applications
• Competitive & Market Intelligence: Analyze competitor PLL, VCO, and clocking solutions, creating detailed performance comparisons and identifying architectural advantages
• Provide insights to strengthen ADI’s leadership in phased‑array and RF timing solutions
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior applications engineers and contribute to best practices for RF and timing applications across the team

Must‑Have Skills

• RF & Timing System Expertise: Strong system‑level understanding of frequency synthesis, phase noise, spurious mechanisms, and LO distribution in RF systems
• Hands‑on experience with phased‑array radar or multi‑channel RF architectures
• PLL/VCO Applications Experience: Proven expertise applying PLLs, VCOs, clock generators, and synthesizers in high‑performance RF designs; Ability to optimize architectures for noise, power, tuning range, lock time, and scalability
• Advanced Problem Solving & Debug: Exceptional ability to debug complex RF issues using spectrum analyzers, phase noise analyzers, VNAs, and oscilloscopes; Strong analytical skills for correlating theory, simulation, and lab results
• Application Development Leadership Experience: Independently developing reference designs, evaluation hardware, and application documentation; Ability to clearly communicate best practices and design tradeoffs to customers
• Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration: Demonstrated success working across design, systems, marketing, and sales teams to deliver customer‑focused solutions
• Technical Communication Excellence: Ability to explain complex RF and timing concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences, including customer presentations and written collateral

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience in product applications engineering, RF systems engineering, or customer technical support
• Direct experience with phased‑array radar, EW, SATCOM, or aerospace/defense RF systems strongly preferred
• Familiarity with ADI RF, timing, or mixed‑signal products
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical initiatives

Export Compliance

For positions requiring access to technical data, Analog Devices, Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position – except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) – may have to go through an export licensing review process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Analog Devices is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, union membership, and political affiliation, or any other legally protected group. EEO is the Law: Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.

Employment Details

Job Req Type: Experienced

Required Travel: Yes, 10% of the time

Shift Type: 1st Shift/Days

Additional Company Overview

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.

Come join ADI – a place where Innovation meets Impact. For more than 55 years, Analog Devices has been inventing new breakthrough technologies that transform lives. At ADI you will work alongside the brightest minds to collaborate on solving complex problems that matter from autonomous vehicles, drones and factories to augmented reality and remote healthcare. ADI fosters a culture that focuses on employees through beneficial programs, aligned goals, continuous learning opportunities, and practices that create a more sustainable future.