Senior Advanced RF Hardware Engineer

systemstechnologyresearch; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

STR is seeking a Senior Advanced RF Hardware Engineer to design, analyze, and test RF hardware architectures to support software and hardware modeling efforts. You will contribute to RF HWIL systems, surrogate builds, digital twins, and modeling platforms across COTS and custom boards.

You will participate in design reviews, develop automated test suites, and collaborate to ensure high-quality outputs for future reuse. A TS clearance and strong lab skills are required.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain TS clearance.
• BS degree with 5+ years experience or MS with 3+ years.
• Experience in RF, analog or digital circuit design.

Responsibilities

• Develop rapid prototype RF solutions from free space to bits using COTS and custom designs.
• Characterize and debug complex electronic systems in a lab with spectrum analyzers and VNAs.
• Prepare and execute test events for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead development of lab-based acquisition and control platforms for test and characterization.
• Contribute to system architecture discussions and assist with BOM/cost estimates.

Skills

RF design

Analog/digital design

System testing

Mentoring

Technical presentations

Project planning

Education

BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field

MS in related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

VNA

PCB CAD tools (Cadence/Altium)

Job description

STR's Cyber Division is hiring a Senior Advanced RF Hardware Engineer who will leverage their RF, analog/mixed signal and system test skills to contribute to a multi-disciplinary team engaged in solving unique problems. The successful candidate will be comfortable designing, analyzing, and characterizing a variety of hardware architectures to aid with software and hardware modeling efforts. They should have a firm grasp of the fundamentals of RF system architecture to support both software and hardware reverse engineering tasks and be able to use their hardware expertise to rapidly test prototype solutions.

We are seeking candidates with design experience to participate in the development of RF Hardware in the Loop (HWIL) systems, surrogate builds, digital twins, and hardware modeling support platforms that integrate a variety of electrical subsystems, ranging from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to custom-designed boards. The successful candidate will contribute to the design process of a growing hardware team by participating in design reviews with comprehensive design documentation, building and executing automated test suites, and collaborating to ensure quality outputs and support for future design re-use.

What you will do

• Develop rapid prototype RF solutions to go from free space to bits using a combination of COTS and custom designs
• Work in a laboratory environment utilizing test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs etc.) to characterize and debug complex electronic systems
• Prepare and execute test events for customers and internal and external stakeholders
• Lead efforts to develop lab-based acquisition and control platforms to aid in test and characterization of hardware systems
• Serve as the hardware team representative on interdisciplinary efforts to contribute knowledge of system architecture and focused processor implementations
• Participate in proposal efforts by providing input on technical path and BOM/cost and schedule estimates

Who you are

• This position requires the ability to obtain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance , for which U.S. citizenship is needed by U.S. Government
• BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 5 years of related experience OR a MS and 3 years
• Proven expertise of electrical circuit design principles in at least one of the following areas: RF, analog, or digital
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to mentor junior engineering staff
• Experience preparing and presenting technical material to customers and internal staff
• Experience leading hardware efforts from concept to implementation managing cost and scheduling requirements

Nice to Haves

• Active Top Secret (TS) Security Clearance
• Strong RF design or implementation background with experience in system analysis and component characterization
• Experience with FPGA forward and reverse engineering processes and methodology
• Experience with RF electromagnetics theory, antenna modeling, and link budget analysis for OTA testing
• Experience integrating and working with software defined radios and RFSOC platforms
• Experience developing PCB-based designs and implementing FPGA and embedded software to support HWIL and surrogate designs
• Experience with Analog and RF circuit simulation and modeling tools (e.g., Spice, MATLAB/Simulink, Microwave Office)
• Experience in DSP or other signal processing skills
• Experience using and developing tools and test software for Linux (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu)
• Software development in support of RF systems testing with a variety of tools/packages in MATLAB, Python, or C++
• Knowledge of PCB design and fabrication principles and familiarity with industry standard CAD tools (e.g., Cadence, Altium, Eagle)
• Digital/FPGA HDL experience using dedicated design tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus, Simulink/HDL Coder)

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $134,000 - $184,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Final offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STR is committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people,