Senior HPM Systems Engineer - RF & Defense Tech

ThinKom Solutions; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401k Matching (4%)

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Bonus plan

Job summary

ThinKom Solutions in Hawthorne, CA seeks a Physics & Hardware Systems Engineer (HPM) to lead the architectural design and testing of High Power Microwave systems for defense applications. You will manage the full engineering lifecycle from layout to validation, using RF modeling tools and lab equipment such as VNAs and spectrum analyzers.

You will require U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain one, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver reliable,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related STEM field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in systems engineering with HPM or RF/Directed Energy focus.
• Experience with Python, COMSOL, CST HFSS or Ansys HFSS for modeling.
• Lab testing with VNA, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers.
• U.S. Citizenship with active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural layout, component breakdown, and interface definition for high‑performance HPM systems.
• Drive requirements flow-down, traceability, and lifecycle management from concept to production.
• Evaluate COTS/custom components using RF lab equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes).
• Engage defense customers and lead design reviews (IDRs/ PDRs/ CDRs).
• Collaborate across programs to ensure on-time delivery and improve testing frameworks.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

System architecture

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Physics or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

COMSOL Multiphysics

CST Microwave Studio

Ansys HFSS

Vector Network Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

ThinKom Solutions in Hawthorne, CA seeks a Physics & Hardware Systems Engineer (HPM) to lead the architectural design and testing of High Power Microwave systems for defense applications. You will manage the full engineering lifecycle from layout to validation, using RF modeling tools and lab equipment such as VNAs and spectrum analyzers.

You will require U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain one, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver reliable,