← All roles

Staff RF Engineer (R5991)

Shield AI· RaptorX – RaptorX Engineering - Avionics
Apply on company site
Seattle, Washington$185k - $275kFull Time EmployeePosted 1w ago

About the role

RF and Microwave Hardware Design Engineer responsible for designing and delivering compact, high-performance RF modules for airborne and ground systems. Hands-on module design with emphasis on hardware bring-up, verification, and production release.

Responsibilities

  • Own RF and microwave module designs from requirements and architecture through schematic capture, component selection, layout, bring-up, verification, qualification, and production release.
  • Design active and passive RF circuits such as low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, filters and multiplexers, RF switches, limiters, couplers, attenuators, power detectors, and frequency-conversion stages.
  • Develop RF front-end assemblies that meet gain, noise figure, output power, linearity, compression, efficiency, harmonic and spurious-emission, stability, isolation, and out-of-band rejection requirements.
  • Perform circuit and electromagnetic analysis using tools such as Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, HFSS, or CST, and correlate models with measured hardware performance.
  • Create and review RF and mixed-signal PCB designs, including controlled-impedance routing, grounding, shielding, stack-up definition, power distribution, and placement of sensitive or high-power components.
  • Plan and execute laboratory characterization using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, noise-figure analyzers, power meters, oscilloscopes, and automated test equipment.
  • Diagnose difficult hardware issues involving instability, oscillation, intermodulation, self-interference, desense, thermal drift, mismatch, leakage, and electromagnetic coupling.
  • Work closely with mechanical, thermal, avionics, communications, antenna, manufacturing, and test engineers to integrate RF hardware into size-, weight-, power-, cooling-, and environmental constraints.
  • Develop verification methods, production test strategies, calibration approaches, and clear technical documentation that make designs repeatable and manufacturable.
  • Support environmental and electromagnetic qualification, supplier engagements, hardware integration, ground test, and flight test as needed.
  • Contribute to design reviews, share technical knowledge, and mentor other engineers at a level appropriate to the position.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Hands-on experience owning an RF or microwave circuit, module, or PCB assembly through fabrication, bring-up, debugging, and measured verification.
  • Strong understanding of S-parameters, impedance matching, transmission lines, stability, gain and noise figure, linearity and compression, nonlinear products, isolation, and cascaded RF performance.
  • Experience creating or reviewing RF PCB layouts with controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, component placement, and signal-integrity considerations.
  • Proficiency with common RF laboratory instruments and calibration methods, with the ability to distinguish hardware behavior from measurement artifacts.
  • Ability to use simulation and measured data to make sound design decisions, document tradeoffs, and close requirements with objective evidence.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams.
  • Ability to work on-site in a laboratory and hardware-development environment.

Skills

Required:RF and microwave circuit ownershipRF circuit design fundamentalsRF PCB layoutRF lab instrumentationSimulation and measurement correlationCross-functional collaborationDocumentation and verification

Benefits

  • Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
  • Temporary employee offer package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Shield AI

Autonomy for the world.

Our mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems.

AerospaceAutonomyDefenseliquid-ai-recruiting-targetsetter-30setter-30-2026-q1
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Shield AI