Sr. RF Engineer, Transmit/Receive Modules

Assured Space Access, Inc; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company matching

Relocation assistance considered

Professional development support

Job summary

Assured Space Access Technologies, Inc. in Irvine, CA is hiring a Sr. RF Engineer to own the RF design of TRMM transmit/receive modules, including the high‑power amplifier, LNA, beamforming chip, switching, and interconnect.

You will drive the design from requirements through simulation, supplier components, first article, and production, collaborating with the TRMM team and other engineers. The role requires 8+ years in RF/microwave hardware design, hands-on lab characterization, and proven

Qualifications

• 8+ years of RF/microwave hardware design experience, including active circuits such as power amplifiers, LNAs, or transmit/receive modules.
• Proficiency with RF circuit and EM simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, Ansys HFSS, or Sonnet.
• Hands-on lab characterization with network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and noise figure measurements, including pulsed measurements.

Responsibilities

• Own module RF architecture and budgets: gain, phase, amplitude control, noise figure, output power, efficiency, linearity, and isolation.
• Design and simulate RF circuits and interconnects with circuit and 3D EM tools.
• Select MMICs, amplifiers, beamforming ICs, and passive components; set requirements for supplier parts.
• Lead technical work with RF component suppliers: requirements, design reviews, test data review.
• Guide PCB and package layout for RF performance, thermal behavior, and manufacturability.
• Support first article builds and resolve RF issues found in build and test.
• Characterize module RF performance in lab over temperature; correlate with models.
• Set RF test requirements and review production test data for yield and drift.
• Own RF design documentation and changes under configuration control.

Skills

RF/microwave hardware design

Circuit and EM simulation

Lab characterization with RF test gear

Production experience with RF hardware

On-site Irvine work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Keysight ADS

Cadence AWR

Ansys HFSS

Sonnet

Job description

Assured Space Access Technologies, Inc. is a defense and engineering firm delivering phased array, radar, RF payload, and secure communications solutions to government and prime contractor customers. We are headquartered in Irvine, California. This role joins the Ground-Based Radar transmit/receive module (TRMM) team, which designs, builds, and tests the modules at the core of our ground-based phased array radar.

Team:

Ground-Based Radar (GBR) Products, Transmit/Receive Module (TRMM) Team

Location:

Irvine, CA (on-site)

Employment Type:

Full-Time, Exempt

Base Salary Range:

$155,000 – $200,000

Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. An active clearance is preferred.

Position Summary

As the Sr. RF Engineer on the TRMM team, you will own the RF design of our transmit/receive modules: the high-power amplifier, low-noise amplifier, beamforming chip, switching, and interconnect that make up each channel, and the module-level gain, phase, noise, power, and efficiency the array depends on. You will drive the design from module requirements through simulation, supplier components, first article, and production. You will work with the TRMM technical lead, the module systems engineer, the DC power and embedded engineer, the polarizer and PCB designers, the test station engineers, and suppliers. This is a senior individual contributor seat for an RF engineer who has designed active microwave hardware and taken it into production.

Key Responsibilities

• Own module RF architecture and budgets: gain, phase and amplitude control, noise figure, output power, efficiency, linearity, and isolation across operating states and temperature.
• Design and simulate RF circuits and interconnects (matching networks, transitions, distribution, and bias networks) with circuit and 3D EM tools.
• Select and specify MMICs, amplifiers, beamforming ICs, and passive components, and set requirements for supplier-provided parts.

Supplier and Build Support

• Lead technical work with suppliers of RF components and subassemblies: requirements, design reviews, test data review, and corrective action.
• Guide PCB and package layout for RF performance, thermal behavior, and manufacturability.
• Support first article builds and resolve RF issues found in build and test.

Characterization and Production

• Characterize module RF performance in the lab, including pulsed measurements over temperature, and correlate results with models.
• Set RF test requirements and limits with the test station engineers, and review production test data for yield and drift.
• Own RF design documentation, analyses, and changes under configuration control.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 8+ years of RF/microwave hardware design experience, including active circuits such as power amplifiers, LNAs, or transmit/receive modules.
• Proficiency with RF circuit and EM simulation (Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, Ansys HFSS, or Sonnet).
• Hands-on lab characterization with network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power meters, and noise figure measurement, including pulsed measurements.
• Experience taking RF hardware from design through first article and into production with suppliers.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to work on site in Irvine, CA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Phased array or AESA transmit/receive module design experience, including beamforming ICs and channel calibration.
• GaN power amplifier design and the thermal considerations that come with it.
• Microelectronics packaging experience (chip and wire, LTCC, or multilayer RF boards).
• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering.
• Active Secret or higher security clearance.

What we offer

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company matching; and paid time off.
• Professional development support, including training and certifications relevant to your field.
• Relocation assistance considered case by case.
• Hands-on ownership of real scope in a growing defense technology company.

Equal Opportunity

Assured Space Access Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Compensation Range: $155K - $200K