RF Modeling and Simulation Engineer - Multiple Levels

AeroVironment•Germantown, MD

4d•$75,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

AeroVironment is hiring mid-level through senior-level RF Modeling and Simulation Engineers to work onsite in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Germantown, Maryland. The engineers support the analysis, development, integration, verification, and production of advanced RF, phased-array, aerospace, and electromechanical systems. They develop system-level models and analysis tools to inform architecture, design, performance prediction, test planning, and production decisions, and correlate analytical results with measured data. The role involves collaboration with RF, digital hardware, antenna, PCB layout, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, assembly, systems, and test teams throughout the product lifecycle, from early architecture and design trades through verification, qualification, production, and field support. Senior-level engineers may lead modeling activities, establish analysis methods, mentor other engineers, and provide technical direction. Occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Mid-level candidates typically have five or more years of relevant experience in RF modeling, electromagnetic simulation, array analysis, RF system development, or related hardware development.
Senior-level candidates typically have eight or more years of relevant experience, including demonstrated technical leadership in RF modeling, simulation, or system analysis.
Strong understanding of RF systems, phased-array architecture, beamforming, antennas, RF front ends, propagation, mixed-signal interfaces, and measurement correlation.
Advanced MATLAB experience and working proficiency with at least one additional tool, such as HFSS, ADS, CST, Python, or a comparable RF simulation environment.
Ability to define engineering assumptions, quantify sensitivity and uncertainty, and communicate model limitations clearly.
Experience applying analysis results to design decisions, requirements evidence, test planning, or technical recommendations.
Strong analytical, technical writing, visualization, communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, if required by the program.

Nice To Haves

Experience modeling digital beamforming, calibration, scan performance, mutual coupling, thermal effects, or array pattern behavior.
Experience with link budgets, EIRP, noise figure, P1dB, IP3, dynamic range, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, or related RF performance metrics.
Experience correlating simulations with VNA, spectrum analyzer, antenna-range, chamber, production-test, or other measured data.
Experience with RF boards, phased-array tiles, antenna interfaces, RF front ends, or high-density electronic assemblies.
Familiarity with Altium, SQL or engineering data systems, automated test environments, and hardware configuration control.
Experience developing reusable simulation frameworks, automated analysis tools, or engineering visualization methods.
Knowledge of uncertainty quantification, statistical analysis, optimization, or design-of-experiments methods.
Experience supporting prototype development, production transition, qualification testing, or fielded aerospace and defense systems.
Current and active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop RF system, antenna, and phased-array models covering propagation, element behavior, beamforming, RF distribution, amplification, frequency conversion, digitization, and system interfaces.
Analyze RF performance metrics including gain, loss, noise figure, EIRP, scan loss, beam patterns, sidelobes, phase and amplitude error, dynamic range, and link margin.
Evaluate effects of component tolerances, calibration residuals, thermal drift, mutual coupling, packaging, layout, and assembly variation.
Use MATLAB, HFSS, ADS, CST, Python, or comparable tools to develop reusable models, simulation workflows, automated analyses, and technical visualizations.
Define and document model assumptions, interfaces, parameters, units, limitations, and validity ranges.
Automate parameter sweeps, uncertainty studies, sensitivity analyses, optimization, and design trade studies.
Correlate model predictions with measured data from RF boards, phased-array tiles, subsystems, antenna ranges, chambers, and production testing.
Work with design and test engineers to investigate model-to-measurement differences, identify physical causes, and update models using controlled evidence.
Provide performance margins, sensitivity results, and recommendations for architecture, component selection, PCB layout, calibration, packaging, and assembly decisions.
Support requirements development, verification planning, test definition, and technical closure through analysis and measurable predictions.
Participate in design, test-readiness, production-readiness, and customer technical reviews.
Maintain configuration-controlled records of model inputs, outputs, revisions, configurations, and correlation results.
Lead technical tasks, modeling efforts, special projects, or process improvements based on experience.
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and promote reusable, traceable, disciplined modeling practices.
Support occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations as required.