Senior RF Integration & Test Engineer

draper; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper, an independent nonprofit R&D company based in Cambridge, MA, seeks a Senior/Principal RF Engineer to lead RF system development, testing and troubleshooting. You will characterize RF noise, mitigate leakage, and implement shielding solutions with ferrites, baluns and ferrite beads.

Collaboration with software and hardware teams is essential for success. The role demands hands-on lab work, anechoic chamber testing, and field validation of antenna and link performance, with emphasis on

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years experience in Radio Frequency or Communications Engineering.
• Strong hands-on lab and system testing background.
• Ability to mentor and lead engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert system test and troubleshooting with signal generators and analyzers.
• Integrate and test passive LF/HF antennas and matching networks.
• Anechoic chamber testing for RF propagation and link performance.
• Lead in-house and local field testing activities.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies; support requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers and share engineering knowledge.

Skills

Ferrite beads & baluns

RF shielding & EMI

LNAs, filters, mixers

RF design & testing

Capacitive/inductive coupling

RF scripting (Python/MATLAB)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ADS/AWR/HFSS

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com .

Job Description Summary:

A Senior/Principal Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer responsible for development, integration, testing and troubleshooting of RF communications and sensor systems. The RF engineer is expected to demonstrate strong understanding of RF and Electromagnetic principles. This is a very hands-on position, requiring expertise in characterizing RF device signal and noise, and mitigation noise leakage, EMI and grounding issues in transmitter/receiver circuitry. Following identification of noise issues, the RF engineer is responsible for driving noise mitigation solutions through utilization of RF design tools and hands-on lab bench integration and test, as well as applying experience utilizing ferrite beads, RF chokes and baluns, RF shielding and Faraday cages. Key tasks include supporting and/or leading in-house testing and local field testing of electromagnetic field propagation, antenna characterization and communication link performance. The role requires excellent communication skills and ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary groups, including software and hardware engineering.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide expert level system test and troubleshooting using signal generators, vector network analyzers, signal analyzers, E-field and B-field sensors
• Integration and test of passive LF/HF high power, standard and electrically small antennas as well as optimization of associated matching networks
• Anechoic chamber testing
• Support and/or lead engineering teams for in-house and local field testing of electromagnetic field propagation, antenna and communication link performance
• Drive solutions to complex problems with limited direction - contribute to requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements
• Perform analysis and modeling of RF hardware, provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies
• Actively mentor less experienced engineers and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback

Skills/Abilities

• Extensive experience utilizing ferrite beads, RF chokes and baluns in radio and antenna systems
• Experienced with capacitive and inductive coupling
• Experienced with RF shielding and EMI characterization
• Experienced writing software scripts to interface with and capture data from test equipment
• Very experienced with RF active and passive circuits and components (LNAs, filters, mixers, etc.)
• Advanced knowledge of electrical noise, linearity, stability, etc.
• Skilled with the following tools: RF software tools (ADS, AWR, HFSS, or similar)
• MATLAB or Python
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative team environment
• Excellent management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details

Education

Requires bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

Requires 5-10 years experience in Radio Frequency or Communications Engineering or related field.

Additional Job Description

Candidates selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.

Job Location

City: Cambridge

State: Massachusetts

Postal Code: 02139-3563

Salary

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $82,300.00 - $245,000.00 Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.