Senior/Principal R&D RF/Microwave/Sensor Design Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks an experienced RF/microwave/sensor design engineer to shape and deliver advanced specialty communication systems for national security applications. The role emphasizes deep RF design thinking, leadership, and collaboration on cutting-edge hardware, circuits, and antennas for current and future deployed products.

You will lead design and development, mentor teammates, model and simulate circuits, prototype and test in state-of-the-art labs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 5 years of directly relevant experience or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of cutting-edge RF hardware products.
• Contribute to conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling/simulation, and product realization.
• Prototype, characterize, and troubleshoot RF/microwave/sensor hardware in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and guidance on mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) designs delivered in operational systems.
• Brainstorm solutions to complex problems of national security significance.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to develop fielded products and troubleshoot issues.

Skills

RF design

Microwave engineering

Sensor design

Circuit modeling

Mentoring

Lab testing

Schematic capture

FPGA experience

Python/ Matlab

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering (desirable)

Tools

HFSS

ADS

CST

Momentum

Genesys

FEKO

IE3D

Job description

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part‑time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated R&D RF/Microwave/Sensor design engineer to help shape and deliver advanced special communication systems for critical national security applications.

This role is well suited for a senior RF/microwave/sensor engineer who is energized by solving complex technical challenges through the development of advanced RF systems, circuits, and antennas for current and future deployed products. Our systems integrate advanced signaling approaches with ultra-low-power RF receiver/transmitter designs to address high-impact, high-consequence mission needs. The work is technically challenging, highly collaborative, and directly connected to national security outcomes. This is an opportunity to bring deep RF design thinking, sound engineering judgment, and trusted leadership to programs of significant importance and visibility.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the design and development of cutting-edge RF hardware products
• Contribute to conceptualization, requirements development, circuit design, modeling/simulation, and product realization
• Prototype, characterize, and troubleshoot RF/microwave/sensor hardware in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and guidance on mixed-signal (RF, analog, digital) electrical designs being delivered in operational systems
• Brainstorm solutions to complex problems of national security significance
• Provide innovative ways to enhance our processes and products
• Work with a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technologists to develop fielded products and troubleshoot issues

Successful candidates will join a high-performing, mission-driven team delivering systems that address some of the nation's most important security challenges. This position offers the opportunity to combine technical depth, leadership, and mission engagement in a role with meaningful impact.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Microwave & Sensor Engineer candidate will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment.

Also for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Experience in design and analysis of RF communications systems and circuits
• Experience with RF network modeling and optimization
• Experience in designing and testing RF receivers, transmitters, and limiters
• Experience with mixed signal digital, RF/Microwave, and analog hardware design including schematic capture and layout of high density printed wiring assemblies incorporating micro-controllers and FPGA's
• Experience with commercial RF/microwave circuit simulation and antenna design tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST, Momentum, Genesys, FEKO, IE3D, etc.
• Experience in scripting language (i.e., Matlab, Octave, and/or Python)
• Experience in RFIC design including tape-out, packaging, testing, and integration
• Knowledge of Digital Communications, radar, and/or EW systems and principles
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver clear, credible, and compelling briefings to technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience developing systems or components across the full lifecycle, including requirements development, design, qualification, laboratory and field testing, production, and documentation
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across disciplines, build consensus, and incorporate diverse technical perspectives
• Ability to contribute effectively in both small, agile teams and larger, matrixed organizations

About Our Team

The Embedded Signal Processors Department (5371) develops and delivers specialized radar and communication systems for some of the nation's most demanding high-consequence national security applications. Our work requires exceptional reliability, technical rigor, and performance in mission environments where failure is not an option. We are a multidisciplinary team with deep expertise in RF communication system design, RF and digital circuit design, and reconfigurable analog and digital signal processing. Our efforts span the full product development lifecycle, including system architecture, subsystem and component design, rigorous test and evaluation, and support for higher-level system integration. Our technical challenges include developing highly miniaturized electronics, designing power-efficient transceivers, extracting signals in extremely low signal-to-noise environments, and analyzing advanced RF and communication system performance. Our team has earned the reputation of delivering for our customers, and we take pride in working together to make the world a safer place.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.