RF Modeling and Simulation Engineer - Multiple Levels

AeroVironment•Albuquerque, NM

3d•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 role supports analysis, development, integration, verification, and production of advanced RF, phased-array, aerospace, and electromechanical systems. Engineers develop system-level models and analysis tools that guide architecture, design, performance prediction, test planning, and production decisions, and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the product lifecycle, from early architecture and design trades through verification, qualification, production, and field support. Senior engineers may lead modeling activities, establish analysis methods, mentor engineers, and provide technical direction. The position involves developing RF system, antenna, and phased-array models; evaluating system performance, component and assembly effects, and uncertainty; automating simulations and analyses; and correlating model predictions with measured data. Engineers document model assumptions and limitations, provide analysis-backed design and test recommendations, support requirements and technical reviews, and maintain configuration-controlled modeling records. Occasional travel to customer, supplier, test, or field locations may be required. The role requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant technical discipline, substantial relevant RF or hardware-development experience, strong RF and phased-array knowledge, advanced MATLAB skills, and working proficiency with an additional simulation or programming tool. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if required by the program. A current and active U.S. Department of Defense security clearance is desirable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline.
Mid-level: typically five or more years of relevant experience in RF modeling, electromagnetic simulation, array analysis, RF system development, or related hardware development.
Senior-level: typically 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 clearly communicate model limitations.
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 performance metrics including gain, loss, noise figure, EIRP, scan loss, beam patterns, sidelobes, phase and amplitude error, dynamic range, and link margin.
Evaluate the 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 differences between models and measurements, 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.