Senior Principal Phased Array Antenna Engineer - TeraWave

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior RF antenna design engineer to drive end-to-end phased array projects for microwave and millimeter-wave systems. You will shape architecture, perform cross-disciplinary collaboration across RFIC, MMIC, DSP, and mechanical teams, and guide antenna performance from element to full array.

The role emphasizes hands-on EM simulations (HFSS/CST), rigorous design reviews, and overseeing hardware through fabrication and environmental testing to ensure reliability and SWaP

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in EE with RF antenna design experience.

Responsibilities

• Own significant components of end-to-end phased array design for microwave and millimeter-wave applications.
• Define system-level RF architectures balancing analog, digital, and hybrid beamforming.
• Conduct EM simulations to optimize array performance, scan volume, and impedance matching.
• Collaborate with RFIC/MMIC, T/R, DSP, mechanical and thermal engineers to align requirements.
• Oversee hardware lifecycle from fabrication to environmental qualification (thermal-vac, vibration, radiation).
• Mentor engineers and lead design reviews with data-driven decision making.

Skills

Antenna design

RF theory

Beamforming

Anechoic testing

Data analysis

EM simulations

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

HFSS

CST

TICRA

Job description

Responsibilities

• Own significant components of the end-to-end design of advanced phased array antennas, from radiating element to the full array, for microwave and millimeter-wave applications (X, Ku, Ka-bands).
• Define system-level RF architectures, including leading trades between analog, digital, and hybrid beamforming approaches to meet platform constraints (SWaP, thermal, etc.).
• Guide and perform critical electromagnetic (EM) simulations using tools like HFSS, CST, and TICRA to optimize array performance, scan volume, and impedance matching.
• Collaborate closely with RFIC/MMIC, T/R module, DSP, mechanical, and thermal engineers to define requirements and ensure a cohesive system design.
• Oversee the entire hardware lifecycle, guiding the fabrication, characterization, and environmental qualification (e.g., thermal-vac, vibration, radiation) of antenna systems.
• Mentor other engineers and drive technical excellence through rigorous design reviews and data analysis.

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering with 10+ years of experience in RF antenna design or M.S. in Electrical Engineering or a related field with 5+ years of experience in RF antenna design.
• Deep expertise in electromagnetic theory and its application to antenna design, particularly for phased arrays.
• Proven experience leading the design of an antenna or phased array system.
• Proficiency with at least one major 3D electromagnetic simulation tool (e.g., HFSS, CST).
• Understanding of the trade-offs between different beamforming architectures (analog, digital, hybrid).
• Familiarity with antenna measurement techniques and anechoic chamber testing.