Senior RF Engineer

Nou Systems Inc•Huntsville, AL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

nou Systems, Inc. (nSI) is a 100% ESOP company focused on transforming defense systems and improving capabilities through powerful, data-driven insights. We are seeking an RF Engineer to join our Advanced Sensing Area in Huntsville, Alabama. This role is part of a team that rapidly turns research concepts into working prototypes, from design through testing. The RF Engineer will be responsible for the engineering, analysis, assessment, test, integration, and modernization of radio frequency (RF), radar, sensor, and related electromagnetic systems supporting various defense missions. This position involves leading complex radar, RF, sensor assessment, hardware, test, or analysis efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related STEM field.
5 years of full-time professional experience in RF engineering or a closely related field.
Hands-on experience with RF laboratory test equipment and measurement techniques.
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or a similar engineering computing environment for analysis and automation.
Must possess or be able to obtain an active Secret clearance.
Must be a U.S. citizen.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Experience carrying RF designs from requirements through fabrication, integration, and test.
Experience independently owning RF engineering work packages, including documenting assumptions and validating results.
Experience in a research and development or rapid prototyping environment, building breadboards, brassboards, or proof-of-concept hardware where requirements evolve and designs iterate quickly.
Hands-on proficiency with general RF laboratory instrumentation, including vector network analyzers, spectrum and vector signal analyzers, signal and arbitrary waveform generators, oscilloscopes, RF power meters and sensors, noise figure analyzers, frequency counters, digital multimeters, and software defined radios.
Experience calibrating vector network analyzers, including SOLT and TRL methods, and de-embedding test fixtures and cables.
Experience with common RF measurements such as S-parameters, insertion and return loss, VSWR, gain and compression, noise figure, phase noise, intermodulation and spurious response, and error vector magnitude.
Proficiency in C++ and Python for instrument control, test automation, signal processing, and data analysis.
Experience automating test equipment using SCPI, VISA, GPIB, or LabVIEW, and implementing software interfaces to hardware.
Experience with RF design and simulation tools such as ADS, Microwave Office, HFSS, CST, or MATLAB/Simulink.
Hands-on experience with antennas, amplifiers, filters, mixers, frequency converters, or transmit and receive chains.
Practical bench skills including soldering and rework, coaxial cable assembly and connectorization, and correct handling and torquing of RF connectors.
Experience with anechoic chambers or antenna measurement ranges.
Experience with creating custom I/Q waveform files and analyzing recorded I/Q waveform files.
Experience with link budget analysis, RF propagation modeling, or EMI/EMC considerations.
Familiarity with GPS/GNSS, radar, electronic warfare, or SATCOM systems.
Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout for RF designs, such as with Altium.
Experience working in a DoD or defense contracting environment.
Familiarity with DoD cyber security accreditation processes (RMF, CMMC).
Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Design RF systems and subsystems for research and development prototypes, including developing and allocating requirements, performing analysis and trade studies, and selecting architectures and components.
Independently manage RF engineering tasks and work packages, making sound judgments on assumptions, performance drivers, and technical risk, and validating results.
Take designs from concept to working prototype hardware, specifying and sourcing components, coordinating with vendors and procurement, and assembling and integrating RF hardware in the lab.
Plan and execute test and evaluation of prototype hardware, including writing test plans and procedures, taking measurements, troubleshooting, and documenting assumptions, methods, results, and limitations.
Work across the full RF bench to bring up and evaluate new hardware using instrumentation such as vector network analyzers, spectrum and vector signal analyzers, signal and arbitrary waveform generators, oscilloscopes, RF power meters, noise figure analyzers, and software defined radios.
Calibrate and verify setups to ensure data accuracy.
Characterize prototype hardware and system performance through measurements including S-parameters, insertion and return loss, VSWR, gain and compression, noise figure, phase noise, intermodulation and spurious response, and modulation quality.
Develop software in C++ and Python for instrument control, test automation, signal processing, and data analysis and visualization tools.
Work with RF signals and waveforms, including generating and analyzing I/Q waveform files, characterizing signal environments, and evaluating end-to-end system performance.
Support various research and development efforts across nSI’s markets, moving between programs as priorities shift.
Coordinate with multidisciplinary teammates across systems, software, mechanical, and cyber disciplines, as well as with government customers, subcontractors, and equipment manufacturers.
Contribute to proposals, technical white papers, and new research ideas, and help scope new RF work as opportunities arise.