Principal Antenna Engineer

Principal Antenna Engineer

Direct Hire Full-Time Role

Salary Range: $260,000 - $280,000 per year

Location: Rockville, MD - Onsite Role

Job Summary:

As a Principal Antenna Engineer, you will lead the design, development, and testing of innovative RF and antenna modules for SatCom phased array user terminals. In this senior role, you will manage the Antenna Engineering team, overseeing all aspects of antenna design and integration, from concept through production. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in microwave and antenna engineering, prototyping, testing, simulation design modeling, and engineering management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Architect and lead the design of antenna and RF systems for Ku- and Ka-band SatCom phased array user terminal products by translating customer requirements to a product solution and coordinating the Antenna Team tasks and priorities


• Oversee the design and development of various types of Ku- and Ka-band antenna apertures for SatCom terminal applications.


• Utilize advanced simulation software and physical modeling to conduct in-depth antenna analyses for design optimization and trade-offs.


• Develop and generate design documents and technical packages to support contract manufacturers in prototype fabrication.


• Lead the drafting of test plans for RF and antenna modules, ensuring thorough design verification test (DVT) campaigns.


• Establish and manage RF lab facilities, coordinating and conducting RF and antenna tests, measurements, and characterization.


• Design RF and antenna test setups and develop necessary testing fixtures to ensure accurate measurements


• Write and manage scripting languages to automate testing processes for improved efficiency and accuracy.


• Create and review comprehensive antenna and RF test reports, ensuring data accuracy and clarity.


• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to review and approve antenna system designs, ensuring alignment with overall product goals.


• Support production ramp-up by providing technical guidance to manufacturing partners for prototypes and volume production


• Provide expert engineering analysis and define system specifications for Electronically Steered Antennas (ESA), incorporating radiating elements, beamforming chips, polarizers, and radomes.


• Calculate and estimate AESA design features and performance parameters, including radiator types, element count, beam scan range, G/T, and EIRP, based on customer specifications.


• Design, optimize, and develop AESA antennas and associated components such as polarizers and radomes, using advanced simulations followed by prototyping and validation through measurements.


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the integration of beamforming MMIC chips, polarizers, radomes, and controllers in ESA systems, providing high-level technical oversight.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Minimum: MS degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics with a focus on antenna research. Preferred: Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Physics with extensive research experience in antenna and EM-wave theory.


• 7+ years of experience in designing and developing SatCom antenna apertures, including phased array antennas.


• 7+ years of experience in antenna and RF system architecture design.


• Strong knowledge and understanding of antenna design principles and microwave theory.


• Extensive experience with antenna design and simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, or equivalent software.


• Proven experience operating RF test equipment, including signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and vector network analyzers.


• Solid understanding of antenna testing facilities and methodologies, including far-field and near-field range measurements.


• Knowledge of cost-effective manufacturing technologies for delivering antenna products.


• Expertise in the design and development of flat-panel, active steerable-beam phased array antennas, incorporating beamforming chips.


• Leadership experience managing and mentoring engineering teams, with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex projects from concept to completion.


• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in fast-paced and challenging environments, especially during design verification and troubleshooting phases.


• Experience in strategic planning and project management, ensuring alignment of team activities with business goals and deadlines.


• Experience in the design and development of polarizers is a plus.


• Experience in designing advanced PCB-based radiators, such as meta-surface radiators, with wide-scan angles and low cross-polarization.


• Strong knowledge of commercial microwave PCB materials and processes is highly preferred.


• Experience in the design and development of flat-panel antennas.


• Ability to work effectively in an RF laboratory environment, operating test equipment and measurement tools.


• Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.


• Comfortable working in a hybrid office and lab setting, with occasional travel to manufacturing partner sites as required.

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