Senior RF Systems Engineer

Hermeus
Atlanta, GA
On-site

Who this role is best for

RF systems engineers with cross-functional collaboration experience and hands-on design/test skills will find this high-ownership role in defense aviation.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 4+ years of RF hardware design and testing in L/S/C/Ku and Ka-Band frequencies
    — “Experience with RF/Antenna Systems in L/S/C/Ku and Ka-Band frequencies.”
  • Individuals who have worked on airborne vehicle RF systems integration and test
    — “Previous Experience on Integration and Test of an RF Systems (of any kind) with Radio as an integral part of RF Systems.”
  • Engineers with strong troubleshooting skills and a background in electromagnetic theory
    — “Understanding of electromagnetic propagation, impedance matching, Smith Chart, VSWR, P1dB, IIP3, NF, and etc.”

Things to consider

  • Must be a U.S. person due to export control compliance requirements
    — “must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing.”
  • Travel commitments may be significant due to test campaigns
    — “Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with RF test equipment automation and scripting in your resume
    — “Experience with test equipment automation and scripting.”
  • Emphasize end-to-end RF system validation and troubleshooting leadership
    — “End-to-end design validation and testing of RF product performance. Lead and conduct troubleshooting or root cause hardware performance challenges.”
  • Showcase hands-on skills in microwave circuit design and prototyping
    — “Design, build and test microwave circuits and assemblies.”
  • Demonstrate understanding of EMI/EMC testing standards and practices
    — “EMI/EMC testing per MIL-STD-461.”
  • Include experience with antenna design and tradeoffs in your application materials
    — “Familiarity with Antenna design, including types and tradeoffs.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Designed and tested RF systems
  • Integrated RF modules and antennas into aircraft
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering4+ years of professional experience in RF systems

Skills & requirements

Required

RF Systems EngineeringAntenna DesignDigital ModulationEmi/emc TestingVNASpectrum AnalyzersRF Power Meters

Preferred

HFSSPythonAgile Development

Stack & domain

RF Hardware RequirementsSystem ArchitecturesRF SolutionsMicrowave CircuitsAntenna DesignElectromagnetic PropagationImpedance MatchingSmith ChartVSWRP1dbIIP3NFDigital ModulationQAMBPSKQPSKSoqpskVNASpectrum AnalyzersRF Power MetersTest Equipment AutomationScriptingPythonMultimetersOscilloscopesCurrent MetersFCCFAAAftrccEmi/emc TestingMil-std-461Airborne VehicleStartupAgile DevelopmentRegulatory FilingsCollaborationTroubleshootingProblem-solvingData AnalysisPresentationDefenseAviation

About the role

Original posting from Hermeus via Lever

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.

As an RF systems engineer you will be responsible for identifying RF hardware requirements, creating system architectures, and building/testing/integrating the RF solutions – both on the aircraft and ground station. This position will require strong fundamentals, wide-breadth design experience, and efficient troubleshooting skills. You’ll be responsible for high-ownership technical delivery while working with a multi-disciplinary team of engineering, manufacturing, and quality professionals.

Responsibilities:

  • Simulate/model RF hardware for communication systems and sensors/instruments.
  • Develop test concepts and test procedures for RF and Environmental testing, including far field and near field measurements (plus vibration, shock, thermal and thermal vacuum).
  • Define hardware architecture and specifications for the RF system blocks, interfaces, and housing. Design, build and test microwave circuits and assemblies.
  • End-to-end design validation and testing of RF product performance. Lead and conduct troubleshooting or root cause hardware performance challenges.
  • Work with manufacturing and production teams on procuring and integrating quality RF module and antenna subsystems into our aircraft.
  • Perform data analysis of RF systems, generate documentation/slides and present results to team.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
  • 4+ years of professional experience designing and testing electrical, antenna and/or RF hardware and systems.
  • Experience with RF/Antenna Systems in L/S/C/Ku and Ka-Band frequencies.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
  • Strong troubleshooting and problem diagnostic skills
  • Understanding of electromagnetic propagation, impedance matching, Smith Chart, VSWR, P1dB, IIP3, NF, and etc. 
  • Understanding of digital modulation such as QAM, BPSK, QPSK, and SOQPSK or similar.
  • Experience working with VNA, spectrum analyzers, RF power meters, and other relevant RF test equipment.
  • Experience with test equipment automation and scripting
  • Strong hands-on skills including prototyping/soldering and the use of a full range of instrumentation including multimeters, oscilloscopes, current meters, etc
  • Support ongoing regulatory filling including FCC, FAA, and AFTRCC.
  • Previous Experience on Integration and Test of an RF Systems (of any kind) with Radio as an integral part of RF Systems.
  • Master's degree with emphasis in Antenna, Electromagnetic theory and/or microwave circuits.
  • Experience using in HFSS (or similar antenna simulation tools).
  • Familiarity with Antenna design, including types and tradeoffs.
  • EMI/EMC testing per MIL-STD-461.
  • Prior experience working on an airborne vehicle.
  • Experience in a startup or agile development environment.
  • Experience with Python or other scripting languages to aid automation, data analysis, etc
  • Ability to travel on short notice to support test campaigns 

Compensation:

The salary information provided is a general guideline only. Hermeus takes various factors into account, including, but not limited to, the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate's professional background, education and training, essential skills, and market and business considerations, when presenting a job offer.

Salary is only one part of our total compensation and benefits package. Hermeus offers competitive salary and equity, unlimited PTO policy, paid parental leave, potential for year-end bonuses, and more!

100% employer-paid health care

401k & Retirement Plans

Unlimited PTO

Weekly Paid Office Lunches

End of Year Bonuses

Fully stocked breakrooms

Stock Options  

Paid Parental Leave

The salary range listed for this role is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope and responsibilities, relevant experience, education and training, key skills, market data, and business needs.

At Hermeus, compensation is only one part of our total rewards package. We offer competitive pay, equity, and a range of benefits designed to support our team.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid healthcare and pet insurance

Financial: Competitive pay, stock options, 401(k) retirement plan, and potential year-end bonuses

Time Off: Paid parental leave, 12 federal holidays, unlimited PTO for exempt employees, and generous accrued PTO for non-exempt employees

Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS 

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

#LI-JC3

Source: Hermeus careers (Lever)

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