Senior Microwave Engineer

Aircapture • Berkeley, CA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

At Aircapture, we are creating technology to solve the climate crisis by supplying commercial and industrial customers with clean CO2 captured from our atmosphere. We value building a diverse team. As a Senior Microwave Engineer, you will leverage your deep expertise in microwave technology to advance a cutting-edge approach to Direct Air Capture (DAC), specifically Microwave Direct Air Capture (MWDAC). This role is ideal for someone who thrives on technical challenges, enjoys hands-on problem-solving, and is energized by working at the frontier of a genuinely new application of an established technology, aiming to make a major impact at a groundbreaking climate technology startup.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with a focus on microwave technology
• 5+ years of experience in R&D roles involving system design, simulation, hands-on experimental work, data collection and analysis, and iterative design refinement
• Deep expertise in RF and microwave engineering, including s-parameters, material permittivity, impedance matching, chamber modeling, and multimode and single-mode wave propagation
• Expert proficiency with industry-standard RF/microwave modeling software such as COMSOL or ANSYS HFSS (we use COMSOL), combined with a track record of validating models against physical experimental results
• Ability to design and execute test procedures, interpret experimental data, and translate findings into design improvements—working fluidly between the model and the lab
• Knowledge of microwave safety standards and practices, including RF leakage detection, arc prevention, and high-voltage electrical safety
• Self-directed and resourceful: you identify what you need, make the case for it, find a way forward when the obvious path is blocked, and take full ownership of your projects without waiting to be directed
• Outstanding collaborative abilities: communicates proactively and directly across disciplines, receives feedback constructively, raises concerns through appropriate channels, and works effectively alongside mechanical, electrical, controls, and R&D colleagues

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or PhD preferred, or equivalent hands-on industry experience
• Proficiency with SolidWorks preferred

Responsibilities

• Innovate and solve technical challenges, leveraging your deep expertise in microwave, electrical, and mechanical systems to research and develop first-of-a-kind Microwave Direct Air Capture (MWDAC) technology
• Operate with equal command of simulation tools and physical experimentation—a rare combination that is essential to moving this technology forward
• Work directly with high voltage and high power microwave systems from 1 kW to 100 kW across frequency ranges from 900 MHz to 3000 MHz
• Optimize MWDAC cavity and waveguide designs through simulation and modeling, then build and validate experimental test rigs and prototypes that advance R&D efforts
• Design and execute test plans and experimental protocols, collect and analyze data rigorously, and close the loop between simulation predictions and physical results
• Oversee microwave safety protocols and ensure safe operation of all MW systems in the lab environment
• Partner with a motivated, multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists who are excited about this work and this mission

Benefits

• We value building a team of people who represent diverse backgrounds–be it through education, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation–to reach our goals.
• Aircapture strives to create a safe, inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace. Every teammate adds to who we are, diversifying our ideas, experiences and viewpoints and makes us stronger. We hope you feel welcome here.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior