Senior Antenna Engineer

Intellian Technologies; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Intellian Technologies in Rockville, MD, seeks a Senior Antenna Engineer (7+ years) to lead design and test of RF and antenna modules for SatCom user terminals. You will drive full-wave simulations, prototype testing, and DVT activities while coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and software teams.

The role requires hands-on lab work, test planning, and delivering antenna packages for Ku/Ka-bands, including AESA concepts, polarizers, radomes, and metasurface radiators, with close

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in EE/Physics with antenna research or related field.
• 5+ years in SatCom antenna aperture design and phased arrays.
• 5+ years in antenna and RF system architecture design.
• Solid knowledge of antenna design principles and microwave theory.
• Experience with HFSS, CST, or equivalent simulation tools.
• Experience operating RF test equipment (spectrum analyzer, vector network analyzer, signal generator).
• Familiarity with antenna test facilities, far- and near-field measurements.
• Knowledge of cost-effective manufacturing technologies for antenna products.
• Experience designing flat-plane active steerable-beam phased arrays and beam-forming chips.
• Experience with polarizers is a plus.
• Experience with PCB-based radiators like meta-surface radiators for wide-scan angles.
• Knowledge of microwave PCB materials and processes.
• Experience with AESA design for LEO user terminals.

Responsibilities

• Architect antenna and RF systems for Ku- and Ka-band SatCom terminal products.
• Design various Ku- and Ka-band phased array antenna apertures for SatCom user terminal applications.
• Utilize simulation software and physical models to conduct antenna analyses for design optimizations and trade-offs.
• Generate design documents and packages to support contract manufacturers for prototype fabrication.
• Draft test plans of RF and antenna modules for design verification test (DVT) campaigns.
• Setup and manage RF lab facilities to conduct various RF and antenna tests and characterization.
• Design RF and antenna test setup and implement testing fixtures.
• Write and manage script languages to automate testing processes.
• Generate antenna and RF test reports.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to review the antenna system design.
• Support production build-up for the manufacturing partners for prototypes and volume ramp-up.
• Provide engineering analysis and system specifications for ESA that incorporate radiating elements & beamforming chips, polarizer & radome.
• Calculate/estimate the AESA design features & performance parameters including radiators, elements, beam scan range, cross-pol discrimination, G/T & EIRP from customer requirements.
• Design, optimize & develop AESA antennas & related components such as polarizers & radomes using computer simulation followed by prototyping & measurements.
• Provide engineering analysis and system specifications for ESA that incorporate radiating elements & beamforming MMIC chips, polarizer, radome & controller.

Skills

Antenna design principles

Microwave theory

Antenna testing

AESA / Phased array

RF system architecture

Antenna simulation

Education

MS in EE or Physics with antenna research

Ph.D. in EE or Physics (preferred)

Tools

HFSS

CST

Job description

Senior Antenna Engineer (7+ years of experience), you will participate design and test works of novel RF and antenna module development for SatCom user terminals. An ideal candidate should have extensive experience with microwave and antenna engineering, prototyping, and testing. The candidate should be very familiar with simulation design modeling and implementation of prototypes. This engineering role will be responsible for leading various full-wave EM simulations to deliver the antenna design packages. This engineer will also lead prototype testing, including writing test plans, setting up test configurations, conducting measurements, generating test reports, and supporting troubleshoots during the design verification test (DVT) processes. This member shall proactively interact with the other engineering teams (e.g. mechanical, electrical, software, etc.) to communicate and organize the daily tasks.

Main Responsibilities

• Architect antenna and RF systems for Ku- and Ka-band SatCom terminal products
• Design various types of Ku- and Ka-band phased array antenna apertures for SatCom user terminal applications
• Utilize simulation software and physical models to conduct antenna analyses for design optimizations and trade-offs
• Generate design documents and packages to support contract manufacturers for prototype fabrication
• Draft test plans of RF and antenna modules for design verification test (DVT) campaigns
• Setup and manage RF lab facilities to conduct various RF and antenna tests and characterization
• Design RF and antenna test setup and implement testing fixtures
• Write and manage script languages to automate testing processes
• Generate antenna and RF test reports
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to review the antenna system design
• Support production build-up for the manufacturing partners for prototypes and volume ramp-up.
• Provide engineering analysis and system specifications for ESA that incorporate radiating elements & beamforming chips, polarizer & radome
• Calculate/estimate the AESA design features & performance parameters including the type of radiators, number of elements, beam scan range, Cross-Pol. Discrimination, G/T & EIRP based on customer requirements
• Design, optimize & develop AESA antennas & related components such as polarizers & radomes using computer simulation followed by prototyping & measurements
• Provide engineering analysis and system specifications for ESA that incorporate radiating elements & beamforming MMIC chips, polarizer, radome & controller

Required Qualification

• Minimum: MS degree in EE or physics with antenna research experience. Preferred: Ph.D. degree in EE or physics with extensive antenna and EM-wave theory research experience
• 5+ years of experience with SatCom antenna aperture design and development, including phased array antennas
• 5+ years of experience with antenna and RF system architecture design
• Solid knowledge & understanding of antenna design principles and microwave theories
• Extensive experience with antenna design and simulation tools, including HFSS, CST, or equivalent
• Extensive experience operating RF test equipment, including signal generator, spectrum analyzer, vector network analyzer, etc.
• Solid knowledge of antenna testing facility and methodology, including far- and near-field ranges and measurements
• Knowledge of applying cost-effective manufacturing technologies to deliver antenna products
• Design & development of flat-plane active steerable-beam phased array antennas incorporating beam-forming chips
• Experience in the design & development of polarizer is a plus
• Experience in the design and development of advanced PCB-based radiators such as meta-surface radiators capable of wide-scan angles & low-cross-polarization
• Knowledge of commercial microwave PCB materials & processes is highly preferred
• Experience in the design & development of flat-panel active electronically steerable phased array (AESA) for LEO user terminals is highly desirable

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk working on computers.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Must be able to lift up to at least 25 pounds at times.
• Ability to traverse to multiple locations.

About Intellian Technologies

Intellian is the world’s leading provider of satellite antennas and terminals, with a mission to empower connectivity so connectivity can empower the world. We are driven by a passion for innovation and agile responsiveness to customer needs. As the crucial link between satellite networks and millions of people on Earth, Intellian’s leading technology and antennas empower global connectivity across oceans and continents, organizations, and communities. Strategic thinking, an obsession with quality, and a proven ability to deliver enable Intellian to invent for the future, creating mutual success for partners and customers as the world’s connectivity needs evolve.

Benefits

• flexible time off and paid holidays
• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with employer safe harbor
• additional compensation elements may be offered depending on the role, which may include an opportunity for an annual bonus based on both company and individual performance