Sr. Principal, RF Engineer - iRF (ID: 1204)

The Narda Microwave Corporation; Maryland; On-site; USD 190,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

The Narda Microwave Corporation seeks a Sr. Principal RF Engineer in Sparks, MD to lead RF design efforts as part of a high-performing team. The successful candidate will drive the design and development of advanced RF/microwave technologies for defense applications.

This role demands extensive experience in RF circuit design, leadership abilities, and a commitment to mentoring engineering teams. Applicants need Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a robust work history in RF/microwave environments.

Qualifications

• 15+ years related experience in RF/microwave circuit design.
• Extensive experience in PCB-based RF/MW circuitry design up to 18GHz.
• Must possess leadership qualities and have good team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as RF Subject Matter Expert guiding Engineering Team.
• Lead design/development of RF/microwave products for SIGINT and EW.
• Conduct requirements analysis and provide customer interfacing support.

Skills

RF/microwave circuit design

Leadership

PCB-based design

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Keysight Genesys

OrCAD

MATLAB

PSPICE

Job description

Salary Range: $190,000 - $215,000 a year

Requisition ID: 1204

iRF - Intelligent RF Solutions is a leader in providing tailored solutions for SIGINT and Electronic Warfare (EW) missions. We understand our customers’ challenges and use our expertise to create solutions. We are not just a supplier, but a problem‑solving partner with a strong foundation in supporting global defense and intelligence missions.

We are dedicated to attracting high‑achieving individuals. Our team members are bound by a common purpose – commitment to our customers’ missions. Our culture is anchored in our steadfast values, our collaborative spirit, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all essential functions, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the discretion to add or change the duties at any time.

Job Description

The Sr. Principal RF Engineer will serve as the technical authority and RF Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the organization, providing strategy and hands‑on leadership across Engineering, Business Development, and Executive Management. This role is responsible for the architecture design, and development of advanced RF/microwave receivers, frequency converters, and related technologies supporting SIGINT, Electronic Warfare (EW), and radar applications.

The successful candidate will drive innovation through hands‑on design leadership, customer engagement, and execution of long‑term technology roadmaps, while mentoring engineering teams and supporting strategic business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the RF SME for the business, providing overall technical leadership to the Engineering Team, technical support to the iRF Management Team, as well as Sales and Business Development support for customer engagements.
• Lead the design and development of state‑of‑the‑art, RF/microwave receivers, frequency‑converters and related products for SIGINT, EW, and radar applications.
• Develop and execute the multi‑year Technology Roadmap, which includes the associated IRAD & CRAD projects, and it is also an input to the iRF Strategic Plan.
• Perform top‑level requirements analysis and design of system architecture, including frequency plan, and cascade analysis.
• Serve as the lead RF design engineer an individual technical contributor on critical development programs.
• Interface directly with customers to define concepts, requirements and technical solutions for new IRAD and product development.
• Chair internal and customer design reviews, including planning, execution, technical presentations, and documentation.
• Provides technical support for Business Development activities including white papers, presentations, technical proposals, meetings, and events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related engineering discipline) and a minimum 15 years related experience in the area of RF/microwave circuit design, or a Graduate Degree and a minimum of 13 years related experience.
• The successful candidate must have extensive circuit design experience in the area of RF/microwave products, with a history of designing products with challenging performance specifications, to include but not limited to: low noise figure, low phase noise, as well as excellent 2nd and 3rd order intercepts.
• Extensive hands‑on design experience in PCB‑based design of RF/MW circuitry supporting receivers and frequency converters to 18GHz and beyond.
• Well‑versed in receiver/frequency converter system design, including frequency planning and spur analysis, RF/MW filter technologies, cascade GNIP analysis, MW mixers, frequency generation using PLL ICs, and design trade‑offs.
• Must possess leadership qualities and be able to work well with and lead a diverse group of engineering disciplines.
• Candidate must be familiar with computer design tools including Keysight Genesys, OrCAD, MATLAB, PSPICE, or other tools.
• Must hold active Secret clearance and be eligible for TS/SCI.
• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment drug screening and background check.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and technical leads, advancing engineering excellence, scalable system design, and execution of the strategic technology roadmap.

Preferred Qualifications

• Wide bandwidth, high dynamic range, super‑het receiver design experience is desired.
• Additionally, experience in mmW frequency range design, wideband digitization, and low SWaP design is helpful.
• Active TS or TS/SCI clearance.

Location

Onsite in Sparks, MD with a 9/80 schedule. Every other Friday OFF.

Employment Considerations

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.

iRF is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Disability/Veterans Employer. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination, where all employees and applicants are treated with dignity and fairness.

Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. All qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. iRF complies with applicable Executive Orders, including affirmative action requirements for individuals with disabilities and veterans. iRF is a drug‑free workplace and conducts pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, as permitted by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require a reasonable accommodation to use or access the iRF career website due to your disability, you have the right to request such an accommodation. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Denise Nocerino at [e-mail].

Proof of employment authorization will be required. iRF is not required to sponsor applicants for work visas. As this position will require access to export‑controlled information, only applications from “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations will be considered. iRF is not required to seek export license for applicants who do not meet this requirement.