RF Engineer-Technical Staff

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Lexington (MA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and retirement benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

MIT Lincoln Laboratory seeks candidates to lead the design, testing, and integration of prototype RF systems in laboratory, vehicle, and flight environments. You will oversee lab setup, field data collection and analysis, and documentation of test results.

The role requires advanced degrees with hands-on experience in RF front-ends, cascade and spur analysis, and proficiency with RF test equipment. Collaboration and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or MS with 5+ years related experience.
• Expertise in RF front-ends for communications and sensing systems.
• Proficiency in RF cascade and spur analysis.
• Proficiency with RF and digital test equipment (oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator).
• Exposure to software development (Python, Matlab) and test planning/field experiments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, testing and integration of prototype RF systems in lab, vehicle, and flight environments.
• Configure lab environments, perform cascade/spur analyses, select components, and guide PCB fabrication.
• Plan test documentation, conduct field experiments, and analyze data post-experiment.

Skills

RF front-end design

RF cascade & spur analysis

Teamwork & communication

Problem solving

Field experimentation

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years experience

Tools

RF test equipment (oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator)

Python

Matlab

Job description

Position Description

The Group is seeking creative and enthusiastic candidates to lead the design, testing, and integration of prototype RF systems in laboratory, vehicle, and flight environments.

Day to Day Activities Include Leading:

• Design of RF front-ends for protected communications and sensing system prototypes to include e.g. cascade and spur analysis, component selection, connectorized build, and PCB design and fabrication
• Lab environment setup and configuration
• Test documentation and planning
• Field experimentation, lab and field data collection, and post-experiment analysis.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or similar field
• In lieu of PhD, an MS in Electrical Engineering (or similar field) with a minimum of 5 years of directly related experience will be considered
• Expertise in the design and prototyping of RF front-ends for communications and sensing systems, including experience in integrating components such as power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, and filters to engineer low-distortion transmitters and high-sensitivity receivers
• Proficiency in the use of RF cascade and spur analysis
• Proficiency in the use of common RF and digital test equipment (oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, etc…)
• Exposure to and/or coursework in software development and scripting (e.g. Python, Matlab, etc…)
• Exposure to test planning and execution of field experiments
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team and set priorities
• Strong problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mixed-signal design for RF systems
• Common software (e.g. HFSS and ADS software) for EM simulation and circuit design
• PCB layout and mixed signal design
• Test planning and overseeing execution of field experimentsn
• System design using RF System-on-Chip technology
• Selection of commercial RF components to build communications and sensing systems

This position will include a mixture of on-site, travel, and remote work as needed to support integration and field events.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200-$170,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200-$220,000

Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including-but not limited to-the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• MIT-funded pension
• Matching 401K
• Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
• Mentorship programs
• A range of work-life balance options
• … and much more!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and will obtain and maintain a Secret clearance to start but must be willing and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret level DoD security clearance with compartmented program eligibility in the future.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID:

43428