RF / Radar Systems Engineer

Seeking an RF / Radar Systems Engineer to design, integrate, test, and mature advanced low-frequency radar systems for subsurface imaging.

This is not a traditional communications-focused RF role. The ideal candidate combines a strong theoretical understanding of RF, electromagnetics, and radar with the hands-on ability to develop complete working systems. The role will emphasize radar system architecture, RF hardware integration, rapid prototyping, embedded systems, timing and data acquisition, antennas, signal processing, system testing, and troubleshooting.

This individual will take significant ownership of radar development from requirements and architecture through prototyping, integration, flight testing, and transition toward reliable, manufacturable systems.

We are looking for an engineer with initiative, curiosity, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to independently solve complex, multidisciplinary problems.

Role Responsibilities

• Own the architecture, integration, development, and testing of low-frequency radar systems.
• Translate system and mission requirements into radar hardware, RF, embedded, timing, data acquisition, antenna, and signal-processing requirements.
• Design, integrate, and characterize RF transmit and receive chains, including amplifiers, filters, mixers, attenuators, antennas, and related components.
• Rapidly prototype and evaluate system architectures using a combination of COTS and custom hardware.
• Develop bench tests and characterize system performance, including noise figure, SNR, gain, linearity, timing, bandwidth, signal integrity, and overall radar performance.
• Integrate embedded processors, FPGAs, ADCs/DACs, GPS/timing systems, power systems, RF hardware, and data acquisition components.
• Perform hands-on troubleshooting and characterization using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and other laboratory equipment.
• Identify and resolve RF, EMI/EMC, grounding, shielding, interference, timing, data acquisition, and signal-integrity issues.
• Support antenna design, selection, characterization, and integration into aircraft, drones, and other operational platforms.
• Develop and modify RF, analog, mixed-signal, and digital electronics and PCBs as needed to support system development.
• Lead prototype bring-up, system integration, verification, qualification, and flight/field testing.
• Collaborate with software, data, mechanical, and other engineering disciplines to develop and validate complete radar systems.
• Support the transition from proof-of-concept hardware toward reliable, manufacturable products.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering/scientific discipline.
• Significant professional or academic experience with RF, radar, electromagnetics, or closely related systems.
• Strong understanding of RF theory and radar principles, including antennas, transmission lines, impedance matching, gain, noise, filtering, linearity, and signal integrity.
• Experience designing, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting RF systems and hardware.
• Experience with radar system architecture, system integration, rapid prototyping, or end-to-end development of complex electronic systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with RF and electronic test equipment, including VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Ability to define requirements, develop test approaches, analyze complex technical problems, and translate theory into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Electromagnetics, Physics, or a related discipline with significant RF/radar-focused coursework or research.
• Experience with radar systems, particularly low-frequency radar, remote sensing, or subsurface sensing.
• Experience with antenna design, characterization, and system integration.
• Experience with RF front-end components, including power amplifiers, LNAs, filters, mixers, and digital attenuators.
• Experience with embedded systems, high-speed ADCs/DACs, FPGAs, GPS/timing systems, or digital signal-processing hardware.
• Experience with radar signal processing and tools such as MATLAB or similar engineering analysis environments.
• Experience designing RF, analog, or mixed-signal PCBs and taking designs from schematic through fabrication and assembly.
• Experience developing RF systems for aircraft, drones, vehicles, or other challenging operational environments.
• Experience transitioning prototype hardware into reliable, manufacturable systems.
• Hands-on soldering, circuit modification, assembly, and prototype fabrication experience.
• Experience supporting field or flight testing of complex electronic systems.

Benefits of Working with Our Team

• Opportunity to make a significant technical impact and take ownership of advanced radar technology.
• Work across the full engineering lifecycle, from early-stage R&D through real-world deployment.
• Work with smart, passionate, and collaborative coworkers.
• Flexible hybrid work schedule.
• Pre-IPO equity.
• Health & Dental benefits.
• Paid time off

Location: Hybrid in Tucson, AZ – 4 days/week in office

Compensation: Targeting $135K+ base salary, DOE. Benefits and equity offered.