R&D Engineer: RF Engineer
About The Position
We are searching for analytical RF engineers to join the Strategic Systems Operation Division within the Information Advantage Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will collaborate with technical staff to research, design, develop, integrate, and test advanced wireless RF communications systems. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply. You will: Apply your expertise in RF to contribute to programs of national or international impact by identifying emerging challenges, research trends, and future opportunities Ensure technical excellence and on-time completion of all project tasks Develop and deliver clear updates on program status to Fleet-level personnel at both individual and community meetings Interact and collaborate regularly with the engineering team, principal investigator, sponsors, and other stakeholders Embrace ARL’s mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate while contributing as a key member of a multi-disciplinary engineering team.
Requirements
- Experience in the use and analysis of passive and active RF systems
- Experience with troubleshooting, measuring, and designing RF systems
- Knowledge in the areas of RF circuit implementation, design, test, and analysis
- Experience with electromagnetic and acoustic fundamentals in the areas of Acoustic, VLF, UHF, and microwave frequencies
- Agility with link budget theory and RF fundamentals
- Facility with conversions from analog to digital domains, or equivalent
- Awareness of Nyquist sampling zones and up-down block conversions
- Working experience with software radio architectures and RF sensitivity analytics
- RF simulation experience in analog and digital domains using tools such as CST, XFdtd, ADS, Genesis, Spice, etc.
- Familiarity with breadboard layout and evaluation required in PCB design supporting RF prototype design applications
- Knowledge of phased arrays and fundamental electromagnetic theory
- Understanding of antenna theory and measurements required for meeting RF systematic requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Nice To Haves
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility to the TS/SCI level
Responsibilities
- Apply expertise in RF to contribute to programs of national or international impact by identifying emerging challenges, research trends, and future opportunities
- Ensure technical excellence and on-time completion of all project tasks
- Develop and deliver clear updates on program status to Fleet-level personnel at both individual and community meetings
- Interact and collaborate regularly with the engineering team, principal investigator, sponsors, and other stakeholders
- Embrace ARL’s mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate while contributing as a key member of a multi-disciplinary engineering team
- Systematic troubleshooting of operating systems and input-output debugging
- Experience in field testing and major exercises supporting prototype transitional efforts
- Prior success collaborating with peers from other engineering disciplines to integrate systematic designs and modify RF circuitry to interface with software infrastructure
- Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
- Demonstrated capacity to balance detail-oriented thinking while maintaining the ability to see the “big picture”
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Robust retirement plans
- Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time
- 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
