Senior Specialist, RF Design Electrical Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 106,500 - 197,500; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris in San Diego, CA seeks a senior RF Design Engineer with strong RF/microwave and communication theory skills to design and manufacture Tracking, Telemetry, and Command products for airborne and space applications.

Responsibilities include circuit card and subsystem design, integration, testing, and mentoring of junior engineers; ability to obtain a DoD secret clearance is required. The role offers a 9/80 schedule and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent with 6+ years of experience, or MS with 4+ years.
• Strong knowledge of RF/microwave engineering and communication theory.
• Ability to obtain a minimum secret DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF/microwave products including circuit card and subsystem design and derating.
• Lead design verification testing and design reviews.
• Troubleshoot RF hardware and digital communication systems.
• Mentor and lead early career engineers.
• Perform simulations and trade studies for technical decisions.

Skills

RF/microwave engineering

Digital modulation

Radio communications theory

Mentoring

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ADS

AWR VSS

HFSS

RF test equipment

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

Sr. Specialist, Electrical Engineering, RF Design Engineer

Job Code

40708

Job Location

San Diego, CA

Job Schedule

9/80 – employees work 9 out of 14 days, totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off.

Job Description

L3Harris in San Diego, CA is seeking a senior professional with strong knowledge of RF/microwave engineering and communication theory to support the design and manufacture of Tracking, Telemetry, and Command products for airborne and space‑based applications. This role involves circuit card and subsystem design, integration, and testing of RF hardware. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in RF/microwave engineering, digital modulation techniques, and communications theory.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for RF/microwave product development, including circuit card and subsystem design, schematic capture, circuit design, derating, and Worst-Case Analysis (WCA).
• Manage complex projects or processes with general oversight.
• Determine design approaches and parameters.
• Utilize modeling tools and equipment to establish operating data, conduct experimental tests, and evaluate results.
• Select components and equipment based on analysis of specifications and reliability.
• Perform simulations and present design reviews.
• Lead and perform trade studies for technical decisions.
• Conduct design verification testing to validate performance.Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to RF hardware and digital communication systems.
• Provide mentoring and leadership to early career engineers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a secret level DoD security clearance.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent with at least 6 years of prior relevant experience, or MS degree with at least 4 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Experience designing X‑Band or higher RF/microwave transmitter, receiver, and/or converter circuits at the circuit card or module level.
• Knowledge of RF/microwave engineering principles and hands‑on experience with RF/microwave and communications test equipment.
• Working knowledge of digital modulation techniques including BPSK, QPSK, and related distortion metrics like EVM.
• Ability to troubleshoot RF/microwave subassemblies to the component level.
• Ability to independently conduct design verification testing.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience performing RF/microwave system and circuit analysis using ADS, AWR VSS, or similar.
• Experience in transmitter design: gain distribution, linearity, modulation formats, synthesizer architecture, and EVM performance.
• Experience in receiver front end design: Noise figure, dynamic range, acquisition and tracking threshold, and BER performance.
• Experience with 3D Electromagnetic analysis using HFSS or similar.
• Understanding of digital design fundamentals, including modem architectures, power supplies, interfacing with ADCs, FPGAs, and more.
• Experience with military or space‑qualified hardware designs.
• Design experience with K band frequencies.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Seattle, Washington D.C., Maryland Greater Washington D.C. area, the city of Denver, Washington State and New York City, the salary range for this role is $106,500-$197,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company‑paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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.

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