Radio Frequency Application Engineer

About the Company: Wootz is a cutting-edge, early-stage advanced materials company specializing in revolutionary nanocarbon-based conductive film materials. Our proprietary pilot manufacturing platform transforms input-agnostic carbon nanotubes into high-performance solutions for applications such as antennas, electrodes, and sensors. Our solutions enable breakthroughs in hardware for the Internet of Things (IoT) by offering thin, flexible, lightweight, and highly conductive materials with transparent or opaque options. We are seeking an experienced RF Application Engineer to develop and optimize innovative RF antenna solutions leveraging our game-changing materials.

About the Role: Wootz seeks an experienced RF Application Engineer with a passion for innovative antenna design and system integration. In this pivotal role, you'll leverage our next-gen conductive materials to design, test, and optimize RF solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in wireless communication. This role is hybrid, based in Houston, TX, with flexibility to accommodate candidates in the Greater Texas region.

Why Join Wootz:

• Innovative Impact: Lead the design and development of advanced RF solutions that redefine material possibilities.
• Strategic Growth: Collaborate closely with the founding team to commercialize cutting-edge RF components for emerging technologies and IoT applications.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Be a key player in an agile, startup environment where innovation thrives, and strategic decisions are made quickly.
• Make a Difference: This is your chance to shape the future of RF technology and play a strategic role in Wootz's journey toward innovation and market leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Antenna Design: Use RF simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, or COMSOL) to model antenna performance and iterate on designs. Design, model, and optimize various types of antennas, including MIMO arrays and conformal antennas as well as more exotic types such as origami and fractal antennas.
• RF Testing & Validation: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for RF performance, ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer requirements. These test plans will be a mixture of in-house testing where feasible, and outsourced 3rd party testing at facilities with anechoic/hybrid anechoic/reverb chambers where necessary.
• Material Integration: Evaluate and integrate Wootz's advanced nanocarbon conductive films into antenna and RF system designs. Recommend and implement system-level testing to quantify the impact of carbon nanotube antennas on system performance.
• Prototyping & Fabrication: Oversee antenna prototyping, fabrication, and iterative testing to refine designs and validate performance.
• Business Development: Engage with customers and partners to understand application requirements, provide technical guidance, and identify new opportunities for Wootz’s materials.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field.
• 3 years of hands-on experience in antenna design and RF systems development.
• Strong knowledge of electromagnetic theory, RF circuits, and antenna principles.
• Proficiency in RF simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, COMSOL).
• Experience with prototyping and testing RF systems, including use of vector network analyzers (VNAs) and spectrum analyzers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience working with advanced materials, particularly conductive films or nanocarbon-based materials.
• Familiarity with IoT hardware applications, including antennas for wireless communication protocols (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi, LoRa, BLE).
• Knowledge of thin-film manufacturing processes and their impact on RF performance.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Compensation and Benefits: Compensation reflects the candidate's experience and qualifications, with a range of up to $165,000 for exceptional talent. Opportunity to work in a hybrid environment with flexibility.