Design and Development Engineer

Microwave Power Products (MPP)•Palo Alto, CA

33d•$75,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

Work on rare, mission-critical tech - Coupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs) used in defense and advanced communications. This is a hands-on engineering role where you’ll move between design, testing, and manufacturing, working directly with real hardware — not just simulations. YOUR DAY TO DAY (Role Summary) This is not a generic engineering role. You’ll work on Coupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs) - highly specialized vacuum electron devices that sit at the intersection of RF engineering, vacuum science, precision manufacturing, and advanced materials. These are mission-critical technologies used in demanding communications and defense environments, where performance, reliability, and precision matter. At MPP, engineers don’t sit far from production. You’ll be directly involved in design, testing, manufacturing transition, and continuous improvement, working hands-on with real hardware and real systems — not just models and documentation. You get the agility of a focused, technically deep site, backed by the scale and stability of TransDigm, a global aerospace leader. This role sits at the core of product realization. Your engineering decisions directly impact manufacturability, performance, and reliability.

Requirements

Mechanical, Electrical, or Physics background
Hands-on experience (lab, manufacturing, internships, or industry)
Interest in RF/microwave, vacuum systems, or hardware development
Must be a U.S. person (export-controlled technology)

Nice To Haves

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
Ability to obtain/maintain a DOD Security Clearance
Experience in a manufacturing, lab, or production environment (or strong hands-on technical background through internships, research, or applied projects)
Comfort managing technical projects with increasing independence and accountability
Hands-on understanding of: RF/microwave principles Vacuum science and vacuum systems Materials (metals, ceramics) and process engineering Manufacturing and build processes
Familiarity with machining and joining processes such as milling, turning, brazing, and welding
Experience with (or ability to learn) engineering tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, Maxwell, or similar platforms
Strong technical communication skills — written, verbal, and cross-functional
A builder mindset — you enjoy solving real problems on real hardware
High initiative, strong work ethic, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
Engineer II candidates (3–5+ years) may also have: Experience owning technical projects or major components Background in manufacturing, testing, or product development Ability to work independently and drive improvements

Responsibilities

Support the production of existing CCTWT devices through process documentation, refinement, and design-for-manufacturing improvements
Participate in development programs involving mechanical, RF, and vacuum system design and analysis
Contribute to the concept, design, testing, and validation of new CCTWT products and associated components
Own technical projects through multiple phases of development, from concept through production transition
Identify design and process issues, implement corrective actions, and drive cost reduction, yield improvement, and build efficiency
Work directly with manufacturing during pilot builds and first production runs to ensure smooth engineering-to-production handoff
Support production through product improvement initiatives, reliability enhancements, and process optimization
Develop and improve engineering processes and work instructions that enable consistent, high-quality builds
Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program teams to meet technical and business objectives
Support other related engineering duties as assigned