RF Design Engineer III

SEAKR Engineering•Centennial, CO

About The Position

Seeking a talented and highly motivated RF Design Engineer that will contribute to the development of electronic radio-frequency systems for space vehicle applications. The RF Engineer 3 will 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. They will also design stable, low-phase noise oscillators and distribution networks, and design RF digitizer circuits and assemblies using multi-GSPS ADC/DAC components. The role involves cooperating with project teams over the course of RF system development to establish technical requirements, perform system trade studies, conduct design reviews, and track delivery schedules. Collaboration with RF group members and other SEAKR engineers is essential to ensure multidisciplinary requirements are met. The engineer will create engineering documentation according to SEAKR’s workflow, support PCB layout engineers, and verify design performance through laboratory measurements. Additionally, they will perform worst-case RF circuit analysis, assist in troubleshooting, balance time on multiple assignments, provide training to less experienced engineers, and improve hardware development processes.

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: S ij, Z ij, 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 preferred)
Skills in RF design and analysis using commercial EDA tools (Cadence/AWR Microwave Office or Keysight ADS preferred)
Experience in 3D EM field modeling with CAD tools (Ansys SIwave & HFSS 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 oscillator and distribution circuits with low phase noise
Experience in RF circuit board layout and transmission line design
Experience working in collaborative design where success depends on collective efforts
Excellent communication skills
Experience in presenting briefings to internal project teams
US Citizenship Required

Nice To Haves

Understanding of sampling and signal processing in digital RF systems is a plus

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
Cooperate with project teams over the course of RF system development to establish technical requirements, perform system trade studies, conduct design reviews, and track delivery schedule
Collaborate with RF group members and other SEAKR engineers to ensure that all multidisciplinary requirements can be satisfied in the assigned designs
Create engineering documentation according to SEAKR’s workflow
Support PCB layout engineers to ensure circuit boards will meet RF performance requirements
Verify design performance with systematic laboratory measurements of engineering models
Perform worst case RF circuit analysis following SEAKR procedures
Assist in troubleshooting questionable RF hardware identified during test
Effectively balance time spent on multiple concurrent assignments
Provide training and guidance to less experienced RF engineers at SEAKR
Collaborate with RF Engineering Group to improve hardware development processes
Create clear reports and deliver summary presentations to product and project leadership