RF Design Engineer III

SEAKR Engineering•Centennial, CO

About The Position

SEAKR Engineering is seeking a talented and highly motivated RF Design Engineer to contribute to the development of electronic radio-frequency systems for space vehicle applications. The engineer designs RF circuits and assemblies for communication and signal analysis systems, including front-end signal chains, low-phase-noise oscillators and distribution networks, and RF digitizer circuits using multi-GSPS ADC/DAC components. The role works with project teams and the RF Engineering Group throughout system development, from establishing requirements and conducting trade studies and design reviews to verifying hardware performance and tracking delivery schedules. The engineer also supports PCB layout, performs RF analysis and laboratory measurements, troubleshoots hardware, provides guidance to less experienced engineers, and contributes to process improvements and project communications. The position requires a BSEE or equivalent university degree and knowledge of RF circuit theory, oscillator and clock circuits, RF characterization, and PCB fabrication and assembly. Relevant experience includes RF receiver and transmitter design, low-phase-noise oscillator and distribution circuit design, RF circuit-board layout and transmission-line design, and verification measurements using RF laboratory instruments. Familiarity with commercial EDA tools and 3D electromagnetic modeling tools is also sought. U.S. citizenship is required. Applications are accepted until 11/06/26.

Requirements

BSEE or equivalent university degree.
Understanding of RF circuit theory, including transmission-line propagation and coupling.
Understanding of oscillator and clock circuit operation and key performance parameters.
Understanding of RF circuit and signal characterization and key performance parameters, including Sij, Zij, Return Loss, Insertion Loss, SNR, SINAD, SFDR, ENOB, IMD3, NPR, and Noise Figure.
Understanding of printed circuit board fabrication and automated assembly processes.
Skills in schematic capture; Siemens Xpedition tools are preferred.
Skills in RF design and analysis using commercial EDA tools; Cadence/AWR Microwave Office or Keysight ADS are preferred.
Experience in 3D electromagnetic field modeling with CAD tools; Ansys SIwave and HFSS are preferred.
Experience in RF component and circuit verification measurements using multi-GHz VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Vector Signal Analyzers, Vector Signal Sources, and/or Phase Noise Analyzers.
Experience designing front-end RF receiver and transmitter circuits.
Experience designing low-phase-noise oscillator and distribution circuits.
Experience in RF circuit-board layout and transmission-line design.
Experience working in collaborative design environments where success depends on collective efforts.
Excellent communication skills.
Experience presenting briefings to internal project teams.
U.S. citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of sampling and signal processing in digital RF systems.
Siemens Xpedition schematic-capture tools.
Cadence/AWR Microwave Office or Keysight ADS RF design and analysis tools.
Ansys SIwave and HFSS 3D electromagnetic field-modeling tools.

Responsibilities

Design front-end RF signal-chain circuits and assemblies for space vehicle communication and signal analysis systems using filters, amplifiers, mixers, couplers, impedance matching networks, and related components.
Design stable, low-phase-noise oscillators and distribution networks.
Design RF digitizer circuits and assemblies using multi-GSPS ADC/DAC components.
Work with project teams to establish technical requirements, perform system trade studies, conduct design reviews, and track delivery schedules.
Collaborate with RF group members and other engineers to ensure multidisciplinary requirements are satisfied in assigned designs.
Create engineering documentation according to SEAKR’s workflow.
Support PCB layout engineers to ensure circuit boards meet RF performance requirements.
Verify design performance through systematic laboratory measurements of engineering models.
Perform worst-case RF circuit analysis following SEAKR procedures.
Help troubleshoot questionable RF hardware identified during testing.
Balance time across multiple concurrent assignments.
Provide training and guidance to less experienced RF engineers.
Collaborate with the RF Engineering Group to improve hardware development processes.
Create clear reports and deliver summary presentations to product and project leadership.