2027 RF Device Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

10d•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation, operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), is seeking an RF Device Engineer (MTS or Sr. MTS – Microelectronics/Semiconductor Engineering) to join the Microelectronics Technology Department (MTD) within the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL). PSL supports national security systems through scientific research and advanced technologies, with over 150 specialized laboratories for testing and analysis. MTD focuses on testing, accelerating, and analyzing failures in electronics for space systems, with specialized labs for radiation effects, discrete microelectronics testing, and failure analysis. The role will support investigations into the reliability and physics of failure of advanced RF systems using various semiconductor technologies for space applications.

Requirements

Master’s degree from an accredited college/university program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Sciences, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
0-1 year of industry work experience.
Experience with engineering or scientific project execution.
Experience with microelectronic, semiconductor, or RF devices or systems.
Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally approx. 15% if required.
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Sciences, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
Extensive experience with RF testing, design or engineering, including microwave devices or systems, MMICs, microelectronic devices, network analysis, amplifier biasing, impedance matching, load tuning, etc.
Background working with space system programs is desired.
Experience with advanced test structure and circuit design using CAD tools such as Cadence, Silvaco, Tanner Tools, or Microwave Office.
Semiconductor fabrication or cleanroom experience.
Experience with FPGA/microprocessor programming.
Strong knowledge working with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB or similar software for data analysis and collection is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform accelerated life testing on microelectronic devices using temperature and electrical stress biases to determine mean time to failure (MTTF) and reliability metrics.
Conduct device characterization on GaN HEMTs, CMOS, MOSFETs, bipolar transistors, and other advanced semiconductor technologies (including pulsed-IV, DC, and RF characterization).
Execute resistance measurements on materials and accelerated life testing on capacitors and PCB microvias.
Perform high-power RF measurements including S-parameter analysis, power calculations, and noise measurements.
Provide technical support to national security space programs, internal research teams, and academic collaborators.
Conduct applied research in microelectronic device reliability and RF system performance for space applications.
Support adoption and reliability assessment of new technologies for space systems.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect