RF & High-Frequency Hardware Engineer

Description

Are you passionate about designing and developing high-frequency RF, analog, and digital electronics for spaceflight applications?

Do you enjoy solving complex engineering challenges through hands‑on circuit design, analysis, and testing?

Are you excited by the opportunity to contribute to next‑generation spacecraft, RF payloads, and instruments supporting critical national missions?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a High-Frequency RF/Analog/Digital Hardware Engineer to design, analyze, and develop NASA’s and DoW's next‑generation spacecraft, RF payloads, and RF instruments. You'll be joining a hard‑working team of engineers who thrive on making critical contributions to our nation's critical challenges. Our culture embraces our core values of unquestionable integrity, trusted service to our nation, world‑class expertise, game‑changing impact, and a highly‑collaborative (even fun!) environment.

As anRF & High-Frequency Hardware Engineeryou will...

• Perform RF, microwave, and/or high-speed analog and digital circuit and component design, simulation, development, and test.
• Layout of RF/microwave/high-frequency lumped and distributed element circuits and printed circuit boards.
• Conduct circuit‑level analysis to determine performance.
• Develop and document schematic drawings, test plans, test procedures and test reports.
• Work with mission and spacecraft systems engineers, subsystem engineers, and project management in overall mission development and execution from concept to launch, including technical concept design, requirements definition, development phases, technical reviews, budget, and schedule development.
• Lead technical team(s) throughout the development cycle, including conceptualization, trade studies, prototype work, flight development, integration, and test.
• Assist project and program management in sponsor engagement.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you currently possess...

• A BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or relevant technical field.
• 7 or more years of recent, hands‑on experience in RF, microwave, or high frequency analog or digital hardware design.
• Have experience developing high‑reliability electronic hardware from conceptual design through testing, integration, and delivery, preferably in aerospace, defense, spaceflight, telecommunications, or other technically demanding environments.
• Have strong technical expertise in at least one of the following areas, with an interest in developing skills across additional disciplines:
  • RF and microwave circuit design, simulation and testing
  • High‑Frequency analog electronics and discrete transistor‑based circuit design
  • High speed digital hardware design, circuit layout, and packaging
• A high motivation and ability to work well in a team‑oriented environment with good communication skills.
• Are willing and able to accommodate: flexible hours for spacecraft‑level testing activities for short periods of time, infrequent travel to customer or sponsor locations as well as spacecraft integration and test sites.
• Are able to obtain an interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• PhD degree in Electrical Engineering with previous RF systems, payload, or instrument design leadership experience.
• Familiarity with communications systems theory.
• Experience with microwave, electromagnetic, and high‑speed digital tools and simulators such as ADS, HFSS, Genesys, FEKO, HyperLynx, and Ansys SIWave.
• History of external publications. Experience with lumped and distributed element design techniques using discrete or MMIC‑based transistor technologies.
• Experience with layout and schematic capture tools such as Mentor or Altium.
• Experience with software‑defined radios, antennas, RF characterization and measurements to Ka‑band or beyond, radar systems design, military satellite communications systems, and sensors.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually