Sr. RF Electronics Engineer

Company Overview

ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.

Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.

We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.

Job Summary

ARA is seeking a Sr. RF Electronics Engineer to join our advanced engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, development, and integration of sophisticated RF systems and subsystems for national security and defense applications. You will drive innovation, guide engineering teams, and oversee the full lifecycle of RF system development. The Senior RF Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams, contribute to high-level system architecture decisions, and mentor junior and mid-level engineers. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your expertise to impact mission-critical technologies and national security solutions.

U.S. Citizenship is required, as only U.S. Citizens are authorized to access information under this program/ contract.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced RF systems, including RF circuits, systems, and subsystems, ensuring they meet mission-critical performance, reliability, and regulatory standards.
• Provide technical leadership and expertise across multiple RF-related projects, ensuring designs are optimized for performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Conduct detailed analysis, simulations, and performance modeling to optimize RF system performance and identify improvements.
• Oversee the integration of RF subsystems into larger systems, ensuring compatibility, robustness, and functionality across different platforms.
• Actively troubleshoot and resolve complex RF design issues, using advanced problem-solving techniques and providing clear recommendations.
• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers, providing technical oversight, career development support, and leadership within project teams.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to define system requirements, create design specifications, and ensure alignment with customer needs.
• Develop and review technical documentation, including system specifications, test plans, and reports.
• Stay at the forefront of RF technology advancements and industry trends, applying new methodologies and tools to improve engineering practices.
• Ensure that all RF designs comply with relevant standards, including military specifications, regulatory requirements (FCC, ETSI), and quality assurance processes.
• Contribute to technical and strategic decision-making, providing input into product roadmaps, resource allocation, and engineering processes.
• Lead the development and execution of test strategies, validation procedures, and qualification testing for complex RF systems.

Position Qualifications

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Competency Statements

• Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
• Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner
• Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
• Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively
• Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
• Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products
• Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
• Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through
• Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
• Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers.

Experience and Skills

• 7+ years of experience in RF electronics design, development, and integration, with a proven track record of leading RF projects from concept through to deployment.
• Expertise in RF design and simulation tools (e.g., CST Studio, ADS, HFSS, or similar) and measurement equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes).
• Extensive experience in RF circuit design, wireless communication systems, antenna systems, and signal processing.
• In-depth understanding of RF components (filters, amplifiers, mixers, oscillators) and their integration into large-scale systems.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory standards, military specifications (e.g., MIL-STD), and RF safety guidelines.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills and the ability to analyze complex systems to identify and resolve issues.
• Proven ability to lead teams of engineers, managing both technical and project management aspects of engineering efforts.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, write technical documentation, and participate in customer-facing activities.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities, providing oversight, and ensuring that deadlines and quality standards are met.
• Extensive hands-on experience in RF circuit design, system integration, and testing, with a strong understanding of RF behavior and system-level considerations.
• Proven leadership experience in managing teams and overseeing the successful delivery of complex RF systems.
• In-depth experience with system-level RF architectures and integration with both hardware and software components.
• Strong background in both commercial and military RF standards and protocols.
• Ability to manage complex projects, from initial concept through to final deployment, while ensuring technical excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Expertise in RF simulations, signal processing algorithms, and the use of modern RF tools and technologies.
• Ability to mentor and guide teams, providing both technical leadership and career development support.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination and affirmative action. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.