RF Systems Engineer – National-Impact, Travel-Ready

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 92,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks analytical RF engineers to design, test, and integrate advanced wireless RF systems. The role involves frequent travel to sponsor locations and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.

Partial on-site work in State College, PA with project-dependent hybrid options. ARL welcomes transitioning military members and offers security-clearance considerations.

Qualifications

• Experience with passive and active RF systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot, measure, and design RF systems.
• Knowledge of RF circuit implementation, test and analysis.
• Familiarity with EM and acoustic fundamentals across RF bands.
• Strong link-budget understanding and RF fundamentals.
• Experience converting analog to digital domains.
• Familiarity with software radio architectures and RF analytics.
• RF simulation using CST, XFdtd, ADS, Genesis, Spice.
• PCB layout for RF prototype design applications.
• Knowledge of phased arrays and antenna theory.
• Ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines.
• Capable of working in fast-paced, security-conscious environments.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, develop, and test advanced wireless RF systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, sponsors, and investigators.
• Provide updates on program status to stakeholders.
• Ensure on-time completion of project tasks.
• Travel to sponsor locations and contractor sites as needed.

Skills

RF systems

RF troubleshooting

RF measurements

RF design

RF circuit design

RF test

RF analysis

EM theory

Antenna theory

Phased arrays

Link budget

Analog-digital conversion

Nyquist sampling

Software radio

RF simulation

RF prototyping

Cross-discipline collaboration

Security clearance

Electrical Engineering degree

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

Master’s in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CST

XFdtd

ADS

Genesis

Spice

Job description

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks analytical RF engineers to design, test, and integrate advanced wireless RF systems. The role involves frequent travel to sponsor locations and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team.

Partial on-site work in State College, PA with project-dependent hybrid options. ARL welcomes transitioning military members and offers security-clearance considerations.