RF Engineer

Summary

You will work in project teams covering a variety of applications spanning FIRST RF's five technology divisions to investigate customer needs, design prototypes, and build products that require both creativity and attention to detail. These cutting-edge technologies include phased-array systems, millimeter wave active antennas, and advanced signal detection technologies designed for both government and commercial customers.

Our environment provides endless opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who strive for it.  We can guarantee that any given day at FIRST RF will not be the same as the last.  FIRST RF offers all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flex scheduling, tuition reimbursement, up to 6% 401k match, and a no-monthly-premium healthcare option. FIRST RF is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Essential Functions

• A fast-paced cross-disciplinary environment that requires excellent communication skills and a strong desire to take an active role in a team
• Mentors and peers you can seek out to tackle problems cooperatively
• Team members who will challenge you – and an expectation that you will challenge them
• Work given to you in areas you have never studied or experienced; we need you to be open and eager to develop skills in new areas
• A workplace where you will always have the tools you need to get the job done
• To get your hands dirty working with team in the design, fabrication and testing of our products

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office and laboratory environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and photocopiers, as well as specialized test equipment such as vector network analyzers, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift lab equipment, open cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week.  Typical office hours include Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, however these hours will vary based on workload and the manager’s discretion.  This job may require more than 40 hours of work per week as the need arises.

Travel

Minimal travel (<10%) is expected for this position.

Required Education and Experience

• Must have US Citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
• Must have a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (Master’s Degree a plus)
• Experience with RF devices and networks such as amplifiers, attenuators, phase shifters, and mixers
• Experience with RF signal budget analysis for system metrics such as gain, noise figure, and power
• Strong analytical and hardware troubleshooting skills
• Proficiency in a technical programming language such as Matlab or Python
• Proficiency with RF test equipment including network analyzers and spectrum analyzers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to peers, management, and customers
• Experience with printed circuit board layout and assembly
• A desire to find, explore, and solve new and challenging problems
• Comfortable in a lab environment
• A resiliency to fail fast and often

Preferred Education and Experience

• A proven capacity to contribute to multidisciplinary engineering projects
• Past experience with Altium Designer for schematic capture and board layout
• Previous experience with front end design for radar or software defined radios (SDR)
• Prior experience with antenna design and testing
• Past experience with electromagnetic simulation tools such as HFSS, FEKO, CST, or Microwave Office

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About FIRST RF

FIRST RF is a fast-growing, multi-discipline, privately owned small business focused on engineering and manufacturing of advanced technologies - specifically in antennas and radio frequency (RF) systems. We are an energetic team empowered with world-class facilities and resources. We promote a culture which prioritizes innovation and responsiveness.  By making bold investments in the development of groundbreaking technologies, FIRST RF has fielded award-winning products ranging from revolutionary passive antennas to highly complex, active antenna systems.

We offer all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, up to 6% 401k match, and 100% employer-paid healthcare, dental and vision plans.

AAP/EEO Statement

We do not discriminate based on race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that employment decisions be based on job-related factors.