RF Hardware Design Engineer

Powerus; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Powerus is seeking an RF Hardware Design Engineer to design radio frequency hardware for unmanned platforms. You will create transmit/receive chains, power amplifiers, and filtering, taking boards from schematic through layout to bench bring-up, collaborating with antenna, mechanical, and test teams.

The role requires at least two years of RF/microwave board-level experience, knowledge of link budgets and impedance matching, and proficiency with VNA/Spectrum analyzers and RF layout tools.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of board-level RF/microwave hardware design experience.
• Strong knowledge of link budgets, impedance matching, and filtering.
• Experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators.
• Experience with RF layout and schematic capture tools.
• U.S. Person status required due to ITAR/EAR controls.

Responsibilities

• Design RF and microwave circuits from 100 MHz to 6 GHz, including transmit chains, receive paths, filtering, switching, and frequency conversion.
• Perform schematic capture and RF printed circuit board layout, including controlled-impedance routing, grounding, shielding, and thermal management.
• Select and characterize amplifiers, mixers, synthesizers, and passive components against link budget, linearity, noise figure, and DC power requirements.
• Simulate circuits before fabrication and compare simulation results against measured results.
• Perform board bring-up using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators, and isolate faults to the component level.
• Coordinate with mechanical, power, and integration engineers on enclosure, connector, and cabling design.
• Support design reviews, qualification testing, and transition to production.

Skills

RF design

Microwave design

Schematic capture

RF layout

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

EDA tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

RF layout tools

Schematic capture tools

Job description

Powerus is building a next-generation American autonomous systems platform designed to move, protect, and sustain critical assets in high-consequence environments. The company combines advanced autonomy, manufacturing capability, operational expertise, and strategic acquisitions to support defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial operations globally.

Mission

Our mission is to deliver resilient autonomous technologies that strengthen national security, improve operational safety, and expand the capabilities of organizations operating in complex environments.

Why Join Powerus

Powerus designs and manufactures its own aircraft, and the radios that fly on them are designed in house rather than bought off the shelf. RF hardware decisions made now set the performance envelope for the whole fleet.

This role sits close to the hardware. You will design a board, bring it up on the bench, and see it fly on the aircraft it was built for.

Position Overview

Powerus is seeking an RF Hardware Design Engineer to design the radio frequency hardware carried on our unmanned platforms. You will design transmit and receive chains, power amplifiers, and filtering, take boards from schematic through layout and bench bring-up, and work alongside antenna, mechanical, and test engineering through qualification and into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design RF and microwave circuits from 100 MHz to 6 GHz, including transmit chains, receive paths, filtering, switching, and frequency conversion
• Perform schematic capture and RF printed circuit board layout, including controlled-impedance routing, grounding, shielding, and thermal management
• Select and characterize amplifiers, mixers, synthesizers, and passive components against link budget, linearity, noise figure, and DC power requirements
• Simulate circuits before fabrication and compare simulation results against measured results
• Perform board bring-up using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators, and isolate faults to the component level
• Coordinate with mechanical, power, and integration engineers on enclosure, connector, and cabling design
• Support design reviews, qualification testing, and transition to production

Qualifications

• Must be located in the United States, within commuting distance of Charlotte, NC
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Two or more years of board-level RF or microwave hardware design experience, from schematic through bring-up
• Working knowledge of link budgets, noise figure, impedance matching, filter design, and intermodulation
• Experience with vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators
• Experience with an EDA tool for schematic capture and RF layout
• U.S. Person status required (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)); this role involves access to ITAR- and EAR-controlled technical data

Preferred Qualifications

• RF design experience for airborne, unmanned, or space systems with size, weight, and power constraints
• Experience with RF circuit simulation tools and electromagnetic solvers
• Experience with vibration, thermal cycling, and altitude qualification testing
• Active or prior U.S. security clearance

What We Look For

We are looking for an engineer who is comfortable owning a design end to end and validating it on the bench rather than on paper. You should be able to read a datasheet critically, defend a component choice against a link budget, and say plainly what has and has not been measured.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Powerus is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and mission-driven workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.