RF Design Engineer - Senior

Wenzel Associates Inc; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wenzel in Austin, TX is seeking a Senior RF/Microwave Design Engineer to lead the development of next-generation RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave circuits and systems for aerospace, defense, quantum computing, and advanced test applications. You will architect solutions, create block diagrams, and drive design through verification, collaborating with customers to meet stringent performance targets.

The role requires a minimum of 10 years in RF/microwave design, with hands-on experience in

Qualifications

• Minimum BSEE or equivalent; MSEE or equivalent preferred.
• 10+ years in RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave design and development.
• Experience with RF/microwave circuits, subsystems, and systems.
• Experience with EMI/EMC analysis and IPC standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, develop, build and test RF/microwave solutions for aerospace, space, defense, test, and quantum computing.
• Design circuitry and blocks up to 50 GHz and beyond; develop DROs, LNAs, amplifiers, filters, mixers, PLLs.
• Lead testing, debugging, integration, and verification; support customer reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
• Collaborate with customers to decompose requirements into architecture and specs.
• Guide small team; develop procedures to ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

RF design

Microwave design

MM-wave systems

Test & debugging

Leadership

PCB layout Altium

EMI/EMC analysis

US work authorization

Education

BSEE or equivalent

MSEE or equivalent preferred

Tools

Altium Designer

Jira/Confluence

Job description

Description

Job Title: Senior RF/Microwave Design Engineer
Location: Austin, TX – On Site

Hey there, Senior RF/Microwave Design Engineer! At Wenzel, we're not your ordinary electronics engineering and manufacturing company. We're the kind of place where "Dream Big, Have Fun, Get Stuff Done" isn't just a slogan; it's the way we roll. We want you to unleash your superhuman intelligence, help us push boundaries, take calculated risks, and make a real impact on the future of mission-critical electronics. You'll do all of this in a people-first environment filled with passionate, innovative, and committed colleagues.

If you're ready to take your career to new heights (literally, we are talking rocket science here), keep reading!

Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It:

As our Senior RF/Microwave Design Engineer, your job is to develop the world's next generation of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave circuit and system designs, supporting applications ranging from quantum computing to deep space, aerospace, defense, and advanced test systems.

Here's What You'll Be Doing:

• Architecting, designing, developing, building, and testing RF and microwave solutions for next-generation aerospace, space, defense, test, and quantum computing systems.
• Designing and developing solutions ranging from modules and circuit cards to subsystems and systems operating to 50 GHz and beyond.
• Designing DROs (Dielectric Resonator Oscillators), crystal oscillators, extremely low-noise time/frequency sources, LNAs (Low Noise Amplifiers), amplifiers, filters, frequency mixers, frequency multipliers, PLLs, up/down converters, synthesizers, reference generators, IMAs (Integrated Microwave Assemblies), and subassemblies.
• Working with leading aerospace, space, defense, test, and quantum computing customers to understand needs and requirements and decompose them into product architecture, design, and performance specifications.
• Architecting solutions, creating block diagrams, developing compliance matrices, designing circuits, supporting PCB layout and hardware builds, and leading testing, debugging, integration, and verification/validation.
• Working with a small engineering and development team focused on delivering high-performing RF/microwave products.
• Leading and/or supporting customer SRRs (System Requirements Reviews), PDRs (Preliminary Design Reviews), CDRs (Critical Design Reviews), and TRRs (Test Readiness Reviews).
• Ensuring final verification and validation of designs and successful delivery of customer requirements.
• Testing, debugging, troubleshooting, performing root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
• Developing and documenting procedures and processes to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Developing project plans and managing work to cost and schedule.
• Participating in and staying current with RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave industry trends, technologies, and breakthroughs.

Requirements

What We're Looking for in Our Senior RF/Electronics Design Engineer:

• Minimum BSEE or equivalent; MSEE or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave design and development, with the ability to design with minimal direction.
• Extensive experience with RF/microwave circuits, subsystems, and systems.
• Experience with RF chain analysis.
• Experience with RF/microwave test equipment, processes, test procedures, testing, and debug.
• Experience designing military, aerospace, or space-grade hardware.
• Experience with EMI/EMC analysis and practices and IPC standards.
• Exposure to RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave manufacturing technologies, including chip and wire, SMT, hybrids, die attach, wire bonding, and hermetic versus non-hermetic modules for IMAs/MICs.
• Experience with PCB layouts, including tools such as Altium.
• Experience with requirements/specification management and decomposition.
• Experience converting customer needs and requirements into successfully delivered solutions on time and within budget.
• Experience leading small engineering and development teams.
• Experience managing projects to schedule and cost.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Atlassian Jira/Confluence.

Skills & Qualifications You Need:

• RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave design, development, test, and debug.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, multitasking, and detail-oriented.
• Strong prioritization skills and the ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.
• Collaborative approach and strong logical problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle customer challenges.
• Strong ethical standards.
• Ability to lead small engineering and development teams and work effectively across functions.
• Lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

We can't wait to have you on board. ?Keep in mind you must have the legal right to work in the United States, and in some cases, you may be subject to a government security investigation to obtain a government security clearance. So, what are you waiting for? If you're up for this electrifying mission, let's chat! And, in case you're wondering, we're an equal opportunity employer, so all you dreamers, innovators, and RF enthusiasts out there are welcome.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROLS As a U.S. defense manufacturer, Wenzel is required to safeguard U.S. defense-related and other export-controlled articles, technologies, and services from unauthorized access, export, or re-export. The transfer of U.S. export-controlled articles, technologies, or services (including manufacturing processes) to individuals or entities that do not qualify as “U.S. persons,” as defined by 22 CFR 120.62, is prohibited without prior authorization from the appropriate U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Under 22 CFR 120.62, a “U.S. person” is defined as a lawful permanent resident as per 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), or a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also includes any corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, or other entity that is incorporated to do business in the United States, as well as governmental entities at the federal, state, or local levels. It does not include foreign persons as defined in § 120.63. To ensure compliance with U.S. export control regulations, candidates for this position are required to undergo an Export Compliance Assessment. As part of this process, candidates may be asked to provide documentation verifying their status as “U.S. persons” or “foreign persons,” in accordance with U.S. regulation, to determine whether prior authorization is required to perform specific job duties related to this position.