Radio Frequency System Engineer

RF / Radar Systems Engineer
Job Overview
Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (4 days/week in office)
Location: Tucson, AZ
Compensation: $135,000+ base salary (DOE) + pre-IPO equity and full benefits
Export Control Compliance: Must be a US Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), or protected individual per ITAR/EAR regulations.

Role Summary
The RF / Radar Systems Engineer takes end-to-end ownership of designing, building, integrating, testing, and maturing advanced low-frequency radar systems for subsurface imaging. This role combines theoretical RF/electromagnetics expertise with hands-on prototyping, leading radar hardware from initial architecture through flight testing and transition to manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities
Radar Architecture & Integration: Architect, develop, and test low-frequency radar systems, translating mission requirements into RF, antenna, embedded, timing, and signal-processing specifications.
RF Chain Design & Bench Testing: Design, integrate, and characterize RF transmit/receive chains (amplifiers, filters, mixers, attenuators, antennas) using lab equipment like VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
System Prototyping & Bring-Up: Integrate COTS and custom hardware, embedded processors, FPGAs, ADCs/DACs, power, and timing systems for rapid evaluation.
Field & Flight Testing: Resolve EMI/EMC, interference, and signal-integrity issues; support antenna integration into drones, aircraft, or vehicles; and lead flight/field testing.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Partner with software, mechanical, and data engineering teams to transition proof-of-concept radar hardware into reliable, manufacturable products.

Qualifications
Required
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline with hands-on experience in RF, radar, or electromagnetics systems.
RF & Radar Fundamentals: Strong understanding of radar principles, transmission lines, impedance matching, gain, noise figure, SNR, linearity, and signal integrity.
Hands-on Skills: Proficiency with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes) and system rapid-prototyping/integration.
Regulatory: Meets ITAR/EAR requirements as a US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or protected individual.

Preferred
Master’s or PhD focused on RF, radar, electromagnetics, or physics.
Experience with low-frequency radar, subsurface sensing, remote sensing, or antenna design/characterization.
Background integrating RF hardware on airborne platforms (drones, aircraft) or using tools like MATLAB for signal processing.
Hands-on experience with high-speed ADCs/DACs, FPGAs, GPS timing, or PCB schematic/layout design.
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