RF Hardware Engineer 3/4

Apex Systems; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Systems is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal RF Hardware Engineer to lead complex RF subsystems for radar and sensing systems. You will contribute as a technical lead within an RF hardware engineering team, with responsibilities spanning integration, testing, analysis, and production support.

The role requires deep RF/microwave expertise, DoD clearance is preferred, and you will mentor junior engineers while collaborating across hardware disciplines.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required and ability to obtain DoD clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Microwave Engineering with 5+ years of relevant RF hardware experience.
• Experience testing and troubleshooting RF hardware in lab, manufacturing, or production environments.
• Strong knowledge of RF/microwave systems and hardware.

Responsibilities

• Support RF hardware subsystem integration, test, analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Act as hardware/RF technical lead or support multidisciplinary teams.
• Analyze RF subsystem performance to meet system requirements.
• Support lab, manufacturing, qualification, and production test activities.
• Perform data analysis using MATLAB and Python and document results.
• Troubleshoot hardware assemblies to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Review subsystem metrics (gain, ERP, noise figure, TOI) and ensure health of RF paths.

Skills

RF engineering

Microwave engineering

Test engineering

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

ATE

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Job description

Job#: 3047664

Job Description:

Candidates must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Defense security clearance as a condition and continuation of employment.

Senior RF Hardware Engineer (Principal / Senior Principal)

Overview

Our client, a leading aerospace and defense technology organization, is seeking a Principal or Senior Principal RF Hardware Engineer to support advanced radar and RF sensing systems. This individual will contribute as a technical lead or key team member within a hardware and RF engineering organization responsible for the integration, testing, analysis, and production support of complex RF subsystems.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in RF hardware, microwave systems, phased array technologies, and test engineering, with the ability to troubleshoot, analyze, and validate hardware performance throughout the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Support RF hardware subsystem integration, test, analysis, and troubleshooting activities.
• Contribute as a hardware or RF technical lead, or support multidisciplinary hardware engineering teams.
• Analyze RF subsystem performance and ensure compliance with system requirements.
• Support laboratory, manufacturing, qualification, and production test activities.
• Perform data analysis and modeling using tools such as MATLAB and Python.
• Troubleshoot RF hardware and electronic assemblies to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Review and evaluate subsystem performance metrics including:
  • Gain
  • Effective Radiated Power (ERP)
  • Sensitivity
  • Third Order Intercept (TOI)
  • Noise Figure
  • RF path and subsystem health metrics
• Work within hardware test environments including:
  • Component and subsystem test stations
  • Automated test equipment (ATE)
  • Near-field, far-field, compact range, and spherical near-field antenna test facilities
• Support Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and qualification testing activities including:
  • Test readiness reviews
  • Environmental screening
  • Data reviews
  • Approval and release processes
• Participate in hardware development lifecycle reviews including:
  • Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR)
  • Detailed Design Reviews (DDR)
  • Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
• Develop and review engineering documentation including:
  • Technical specifications
  • Interface control documents
  • Hardware drawings
  • Test procedures and reports
• Support engineering investigations and quality review processes related to hardware anomalies and failures.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance when appropriate.

Required Qualifications - Principal RF Hardware Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Microwave Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 5+ years of relevant experience, or:
  • Master's degree with 3+ years of experience, or
  • Additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Experience testing and troubleshooting RF hardware in laboratory, manufacturing, or production environments.
• Working knowledge of RF and microwave systems and hardware.
• Experience analyzing hardware performance and resolving technical issues.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to solve increasingly complex RF design and test challenges.

Required Qualifications - Senior Principal RF Hardware Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Microwave Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience, or:
  • Master's degree with 6+ years of experience, or
  • Additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Extensive experience testing and troubleshooting RF hardware and subsystems.
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles, RF test methods, and associated tools.
• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex RF/microwave hardware issues.
• Experience working in manufacturing, integration, or production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret Clearance or higher.
• Experience designing, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting RF hardware and subsystems.
• Ability to troubleshoot electronic assemblies to the component level.
• Experience using RF lab equipment, including:
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Signal generators
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Network analyzers
• Experience with phased array, radar, or advanced RF sensing technologies.
• Hands-on experience with RF test systems and specialized RF test equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware/software integration issues.
• Experience developing or utilizing software to control hardware test equipment.
• Experience with automated test scripting, data analysis, and signal processing.
• Experience leading or mentoring RF and hardware engineering teams.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems
• Phased array antenna technologies
• Receiver/exciter hardware
• RF test and measurement
• Data analysis using MATLAB and Python
• Hardware integration and verification
• Environmental and qualification testing
• Manufacturing test support
• Root cause and failure analysis

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

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