Senior RF Engineer - Amplifier Design

Job Description

The RF Power Amplifier (PA) Design Engineer will design, simulate, build, and test RF products, including RF circuit boards. The main duties of this role will be to create new RF power amplifier module designs/merge existing designs into new RF boards, simulate an RF board design, and assist with getting the design fabricated, assembled, and tested. The ideal candidate for the position is someone who has experience with high power amplifier design and can own product development through all stages of conception, prototype, and productization. In this role, you will work closely with a talented engineering team in a fast-paced environment to apply emerging technologies in innovative ways to rapidly produce new products. This position will report to the Manager of RF Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design of high-power microwave amplifiers for CW or pulsed operation

• Evaluate, characterize, and select off-the-shelf power amplifier components like discrete transistors, MMICs, couplers, splitters/combiners, etc.

• Modeling, simulation, analysis, design, test, and optimization of high-power active and passive power amplifier circuits

• Generate schematics and work closely with mechanical, thermal, and PCB layout teams to ensure circuit designs meet requirements while striving for first-pass design success

• Board bring-up, test, and circuit optimizations

• Develop circuit verification test plans and assist with testing

• Assist with RF system and/or subsystem requirement development and feasibility studies

• Assist with manufacturing process and test requirement development

• Coordinate with internal quality and supply chain teams for process improvements

• Work with vendors to explore new device capabilities and modeling

• Troubleshoot board-level RF issues/failures and provide recommended paths forward

• Hold design reviews and presentations with peers and act as an expert reviewer

MUST HAVE Skills

• Must Have:
  • 4 years of Amplifier design
    • 4 years is absolute minimum
    • Power amplifier design preferred
  • Full RF amplifier lifecycle
    • Concept creation, design, testing, integration, all the way to carrying over the finish line
      • Taking full ownership of RF design
      • Have to understand if the design is manufacturable and quick to build
      • Have to be able to balance having the flexibility to own the product/make design decisions with the rigidness of working off a product schedule/timeline
  • Software to Design: Keysight ADS or Microwave Office Cadence AWR
    • Need 5 years using one or both of these tools
  • Must be ITAR Compliant (US Citizen or GC Holder)

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus in RF Engineering.
• 5 years of experience with broadband high-power amplifier design and development in frequency ranges from UHF to C band or higher.
• Thorough understanding of high-power amplifier design process from component characterization and selection to volume manufacturing.
• Experience with RF cascade analyses, component selection, and evaluations.
• Skilled in modeling, simulation, analysis, design, test, and optimization of RF power amplifiers and supporting circuits.
• Familiarity with power amplifier impedance matching circuits and optimizations.
• Experience with schematic capture and guiding PCB layout.
• Experience developing test plans and executing tests.
• Proficiency with test equipment like VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and load pull.
• Experience with 3D electromagnetic modeling and simulation using tools like Ansys HFSS, CST.
• Familiarity with RF filter design.
• Experience with PCB design/layout.
• Experience with RF requirement development and feasibility analyses.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Collaborative and capable of working across the organization.
• Organized and comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Work Environment

This position is fully onsite in Torrance, CA (one day remote can be negotiated). The work environment is fast-paced and requires hands-on testing and interaction with new incoming components. Relocation assistance is available if needed.

Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

• Free lunch catered daily on-site
• Relocation assistance available
• Cutting edge technology

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $134000.00 - $165700.00/yr.

Offers a competitive health insurance plan at very low costs to employees. Direct Placement opportunity

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Mar 5, 2025.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

Salary : $134,000 - $165,700