Senior RF Engineer

General Atomics; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

General Atomics, based in Herndon, VA, is seeking an RF Engineer to join the CSS group. The role focuses on designing and testing RF/microwave systems for defense and national security applications, including satellite payloads and antenna systems.

The candidate will lead technical efforts, develop simulation models, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Extensive RF experience and willingness to work extended hours are required.

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with progressive engineering experience.
• Experience with satellite space systems is required.
• Experience with RF components, wiring harnesses and RF test equipment.
• Knowledge of digital communication systems and modulation schemes (QPSK, APSK, QAM).
• Environmental testing such as vibration, thermal and TVAC is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction for multi-year solution development and deployment.
• Oversee documentation, testing, maintenance and engineering updates.
• Design and evaluate RF and microwave antenna systems and test setups.
• Create electromagnetic simulation models and verify against product requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate with management on progress.

Skills

Technical leadership

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

PhD in engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Oscilloscopes

RF test equipment

Environmental testing equipment

Job description

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

Job Summary

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.
We have an exciting opportunity for an RF Engineer to join our CSS group located in Herndon, VA. The CSS team provides innovative, cutting-edge, security solutions for the United States Government. Our employees provide a multi-disciplinary, sometimes non-traditional, approach to generate innovative solutions to incredibly challenging technical problems in the national security arena. Our areas of expertise are in spacecraft payload and system development (especially in the confines of implementing very large amounts of functionality in extremely small, power-constrained environments); unique system development; ground control and operational software development; embedded software development; and unique cyber capabilities. Key customers include the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
With consultative direction, this position exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives for the review, research, design, development, and/or solution(s) for a designated engineering system(s) or project(s)/program(s).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Functioning in an advisory or leadership role participates in the planning and oversight of the successful resolution and implementation of engineering problem(s) and provides direction and guidance to professional and support staff.
• Formulates technical plans, typically multi-year, for solution(s) development, documentation, and deployment of the engineering solution (s), as well as responsible for meeting various compliance, reporting, and safety standards.
• Evaluates the integration of the engineering solution within the overall engineering environment; and responsible for planning/overseeing documentation, testing, maintenance, and engineering updates.
• Communicates with engineering professionals, solution users, and management throughout the solution development cycle; represents the company as a prime technical contact on assigned system(s) or project (s)/program(s); selects, motivates, and develops professional and support staff; interacts with senior internal and external personnel on technical matters requiring coordination between the organizations; anticipates future engineering needs; and, develops new or expands existing business opportunities.
• Ensures compliance, reporting, and safety standards are maintained.
• Responsible for troubleshooting of avionics hardware spanning PCBA board testing and defect detection, full functional testing of an assembled unit, and resolving on-vehicle anomalies.
• Create electromagnetic simulation models of hardware (antennas, filters, PCB layout) to design and evaluate performance.
• Write and execute verification test plans, test procedures, and test reports against product requirements.
• Modify electrical schematics and mechanical drawings for flight applications as they relate to reliability and manufacturability.
• Design and troubleshoot RF (UHF, S-Band, X, Ka, or Ku bands) test setups and associated support equipment to support execution of testing strategies.
• Participate in development of new RF designs and drive optimization for manufacturability and cost.
• Actively participate in system level design of satellite systems across all project phases, through attitude control subsystem architectural design development.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Demonstrates a detailed and extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice as well as project and/or program leadership including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordinating workloads to meet established project deadlines or milestones.
• Must possess the ability to contribute to the development of new concepts and principles; resolve unusually complex technical problems; serve as spokesperson on projects and/or programs; and be a technical expert in one or more areas of engineering.
• Previous experience with satellite space systems is required.
• Experience with RF components, wire harnesses, and electrical test equipment (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.) is required.
• Must possess extensive knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM.
• Understanding and experience in environmental testing such as vibration, shock, thermal, burn-in, and TVAC is required.
• Extensive experience with design/analysis/testing of radio frequency (RF) and/or microwave antenna systems is required, as is practical design/analysis experience, innovative thinking, and familiarity with the state-of-the-art.
• Proficiency in electromagnetic theory, electromagnetic analysis, and performance budgeting/allocation is required.
• Must have the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required enabling an effective leadership interface with other departments, all levels of management, professional and support staff, customers, potential customers, and government representatives is a must.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• US Citizenship is required as is the ability to maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.

Job Type: Full-Time Salary
Salary range: 105,890 - 189,545