Block Upconverter (BUC) Designer

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company

Mission Microwave Technologies was founded in 2014 to revolutionize the next generation of Solid-State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) and Block Upconverters (BUCs). We utilize advanced GaN transistors, unique power-combining technology, and innovative full-system designs to create the industry’s most efficient, lightweight, and compact high-power SSPAs.

Our leadership team brings more than 100 years of combined experience delivering high-performance, high-reliability SSPAs to commercial, military, and space customers. In just 10 years, our rapid growth and industry-leading innovation have attracted private-equity ownership and national recognition.

We’re proud to be ranked #23 on the Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production and certified as a Great Place to Work® since 2022.

Mission Microwave’s headquarters are located at 6060 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA 90603.

About the Role

As a Block Upconverter (BUC) Designer, you will design, develop, and validate advanced RF and microwave components that power mission-critical communications. You’ll take ownership of the full development cycle — from concept and simulation to integration and production — ensuring every product meets stringent performance and reliability standards.

Your designs will directly impact system-level performance and manufacturability, and you’ll collaborate across product development, manufacturing, test, and quality teams to create scalable, production-ready RF hardware. This role is ideal for engineers who thrive on challenging, high-frequency design problems and enjoy seeing their designs succeed in real-world applications.

What You’ll Do

• Design block upconverters (BUCs) and block downconverters (BDCs).
• Design innovative pre-distortion techniques to linearize PA modules.
• Generate cascade analyses for system designs.
• Perform electromagnetic, RF, and microwave simulation (e.g., ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST) and analyze results to optimize performance.
• Design and simulate RF/microwave circuits and subsystems (driver amplifiers, up-/down-converters, transmit/receive modules, frequency synthesizers, filters, mixers) to meet system requirements.
• Specify and source RF components (transistors, mixers, switches, passives) and evaluate component performance for high-reliability, high-power, high-frequency applications.
• Ensure components meet requirements through stress analysis and system-level performance criteria, including spurious, LO leakage, EMI/EMC, and phase noise.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, robust, and optimized for production.
• Develop test plans, set up measurement systems (vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters) and characterize prototypes for RF performance, gain, power, linearity, noise figure, stability, and thermal behavior.
• Document design reports, test reports, root-cause analyses, failure reports, and manufacturing support documentation.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), including manufacturability reviews, transfer to production, prototype builds, and ramp-up support.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design, test, reliability, or manufacturing issues, providing corrective actions and continuous improvement recommendations.
• Stay updated on emerging RF/microwave technologies and contribute to technology roadmaps and process improvement initiatives.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related discipline (MS/PhD preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience designing and producing block upconverters (up to V-band) and performing simulation and measurement.
• Proficiency with network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and power meters.
• Experience with Microwave Office, ADS, HFSS, CST, or equivalent RF design tools.
• Strong mathematical competency, including calculus, statistics, probability, and spatial reasoning.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of collaborating effectively at all levels of the organization.

At Mission Microwave, you don’t just take a job; you step into a mission that matters. We design and build world-class RF and microwave solutions that power the technologies behind defense, space, and next-generation communications, and we do it with precision, purpose, and pride. Here, your ideas are heard, your expertise is trusted, and your impact is visible from the first design review to the moment our products perform in the most demanding environments on Earth and beyond. You’ll work alongside intelligent, driven people who care deeply about craftsmanship, collaboration, and doing the right thing, in a culture that values growth, integrity, and human connection as much as technical excellence. If you’re looking for a place where your work truly matters, where you can stretch, learn, and build something extraordinary with a team that has your back, Mission Microwave is where your next chapter begins.

Apply Now.

Mission Microwave is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity, and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Mission Microwave maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment background checks and, where permitted by law, substance-abuse testing.

Many of our roles support U.S. Government programs and require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. Applicants who receive a conditional offer may be subject to government security investigations and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that Mission Microwave may share your application materials, including your resume and any related personal information or documentation, with its subsidiaries or affiliated partners strictly for the purpose of evaluating you for current or future employment opportunities.