Senior Scientist, Electrical Engineering (Phased Array RF Design Engineer) 1

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Palm Bay (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Palm Bay, FL seeks a Senior Scientist, Electrical Engineering (Phased Array RF Design Engineer) to advance space-qualified RF/Phased Array hardware.

The role emphasizes leading design, simulations, and trade studies, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with business development to win programs. Requires extensive experience in phased arrays and RF hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 15 years of prior relevant experience (Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, CS, or related STEM).
• Graduate Degree with 13+ years of related experience. In lieu of a degree, 19+ years of related experience.
• Experience with AESA/ESA phased array RF performance, RF link budget, S-parameters, and RF cascades.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex RF and Phased Array development from research through design and analysis.
• Drive multidisciplinary teams through milestones like SRR, SDR, PDR, BOE proposals, and startup reviews.
• Mentor engineers and guide IRAD initiatives and technical trade studies.

Skills

Phased array design

RF design

Technical leadership

Trade studies

System requirements

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM field

Graduate Degree in a related field

19 years of related experience in lieu of degree

Tools

ADS

HFSS

SystemVue

MATLAB

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Scientist, Electrical Engineering (Phased Array RF Design Engineer)

Job Code: 44092

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

Job Description:

The L3Harris Space Systems Sector is seeking an exceptional Phased Array RF Design Engineer to advance our customers’ complex missions in space. This pivotal role requires extensive expertise in Phased Array and RF hardware design during the early phases of capture and program execution. The Phased Array expert will champion Internal Research and Development (IRAD) projects, conduct technical trade studies, author innovative white papers, support business development pursuits, author detailed BOE proposals, lead new customer programs, and provide mentorship throughout the engineering organization. Success will be achieved through the utilization of a diverse array of advanced RF and Phased Array simulation tools to create innovative hardware solutions and ensure our commitment to design excellence.

The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in Phased Arrays and RF with an entrepreneurial approach, capable of collaborating with technical experts, business development, and senior leadership within a large engineering enterprise. Additionally, they will address customer and mission needs through technical analysis and strategic guidance while assessing technical risks, budget, and schedule commitments to build trust in the Space Systems Sector and L3Harris.

Essential Functions:

• Lead complex RF and Phased Array development including research, detailed design, and analysis for exquisite space-qualified Phased Arrays.
• Drive multi-disciplinary engineering teams through early lifecycle milestones and reviews, including Capture / Pursuits, Technical Baselines (TBR), BOE Proposals, Program Startups, System Requirements (SRR), System Designs (SDR), and Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR).
• Champion Internal Research and Design (IRAD) initiatives and conduct technical trade studies to influence tactical and strategic decisions for senior leadership.
• Research industry trends to develop phased array and RF roadmaps, utilizing the latest innovative technologies to advance RF hardware capabilities while simultaneously reducing SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost).
• Support customer pursuits for Phased Arrays with business development and support Basis of Estimates (BOE) Proposals to capture program awards while ensuring success in technical performance, cost, and schedule.
• Collaborate with customers, technical experts, and program leadership to align Phased Array and RF performance requirements with all stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership to fellow engineers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 15 years of prior relevant experience (Accredited course of study in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another relevant STEM field.). Graduate Degree and a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
• Experience with Digital and Analog Phased Array design for multi-beam AESAs and ESAs.
• Experience with detailed design of Phased Array RF performance through RF Link Budget analysis, RF cascade analysis (gain, noise figure, linearity, noise power, etc.), Signal Analysis (Eb/No, BER vs. noise, receiver sensitivity), S-parameters, matching networks, filtering (bandwidth, types, implementations, etc.), nonlinear effects and their remedies (intermodulation, IP3, IP2, group delay variation, dynamic range), temperature effects, and isolation.
• Experience with RF performance characteristics of both passive and active components such as amplifiers, oscillators, attenuators, mixers, filters, splitters, couplers, phase shifters, VCOs, PLLs, etc.
• RF hardware design experience for electromagnetics in the RF spectrum, including VHF, UHF, and microwave applications in the L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, and V bands.
• Advanced user of RF simulation and analysis tools including ADS, HFSS, SystemVue, MATLAB, and other ECAD design tools.
• Experience in an engineering leadership role, such as Integrated Product Team Lead (IPTL), Principal Investigator (PI), Chief Systems Engineer or Chief Engineer.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• TS/SCI Security Clearance highly preferred.
• MMIC or RFIC Design Experiencepreferred.
• RF Hybrid Multi Chip Module (MCM) experience integrating diverse RF components on a single substrate with precision ribbon wire interconnections.
• Advanced user of RF lab equipment including Network Analyzers, Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power Sensors, etc.
• Ability to troubleshoot RF systems, payloads, modules and complex RF issues down to the component level.
• Schematic and PCB layout experience using Xpedition or Cadence.
• Team leader experience, guiding a team of RF engineers across diverse projects to advance their career expertise.
• MATLAB, Python, or similar programming experience for RF design and data analysis.

#LI-LS4

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.