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Antenna Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Airborne Antenna Design department headquartered in McKinney, Texas is responsible for full ... Typically requires a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) degree ...

The Airborne Antenna Design department headquartered in McKinney, Texas is responsible for full ... Typically requires a Bachelor's in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) degree ...

Lead Antenna Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $159K/yr

About the Role We are looking for a Lead Antenna Design Engineer to own the design, build, and validation of this startup's phased array antenna systems. This is a builder's role: you will not just ...

The Antenna Engineer will provide systems engineering technical assistance in the area of satellite ... Perform satellite antenna design, simulation, manufacture and test * Perform analysis of antenna ...

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Antenna Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$111.5K

$164.5K

How much do antenna design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for antenna design engineer in the United States is $111,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $139,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Antenna Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Antenna Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electromagnetics, RF engineering, and antenna theory, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with simulation tools like CST Microwave Studio, HFSS, or MATLAB, as well as experience with measurement equipment such as network analyzers, is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and convey complex technical findings. These skills ensure innovative antenna solutions, efficient project execution, and reliable performance in communication systems.

What is the difference between Antenna Design Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectAntenna Design EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in antennas or RFBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, RF or Communications focus
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, simulation software, prototype testingTesting labs, signal analysis, system integration
Industry UsageTelecommunications, aerospace, defenseWireless communications, radar, satellite systems

Both roles require strong electrical engineering backgrounds, but Antenna Design Engineers focus specifically on antenna structures and radiation patterns, while RF Engineers work on overall radio frequency systems and signal integrity. They often collaborate but have distinct specializations within wireless and communication industries.

How much do antenna engineers make?

Antenna design engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start around $60,000, while senior engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $130,000. Salary also varies based on industry, company size, and the complexity of projects handled.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as aerospace, petroleum, or certain senior software engineering roles can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often leadership responsibilities or working in high-cost-of-living areas.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain electrical or systems engineering roles can earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and certifications. These positions often require extensive expertise, leadership responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries and may include bonuses or stock options.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and in high-demand industries. Executive-level engineering roles or those with managerial responsibilities may also reach this compensation level.

What are some common challenges faced by Antenna Design Engineers when working on projects with tight deadlines?

Antenna Design Engineers often face challenges such as rapidly iterating prototypes, managing electromagnetic interference issues, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards within limited timeframes. Balancing performance requirements with constraints like size, weight, and cost can add complexity, especially when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams such as RF engineers and product designers. Effective communication, strong project management skills, and a solid understanding of simulation tools are essential for overcoming these challenges and delivering high-quality designs on schedule.

What does an Antenna Design Engineer do?

An Antenna Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing antennas for various communication systems, such as wireless networks, satellites, and mobile devices. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software and simulation tools to create antenna models and optimize their performance. Their role also involves collaborating with other engineers to ensure the antenna meets technical requirements, regulatory standards, and fits within the constraints of a given product or system.
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What states have the most Antenna Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Antenna Design Engineer jobs include:
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Infographic showing various Antenna Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,500 per year, or $53.6 per hour.
Principal Antenna Design Engineer

Principal Antenna Design Engineer

Raytheon

Mckinney, TX

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 97 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 528 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-05-09

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-TX-MCKINNEY-513WD ~ 2501 W University Dr ~ WING D BLDG

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression.  We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat.  Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Our Airborne Antennas, Radome & Apertures team is recognized across the defense community as one of the most capable antenna and low observable (LO) engineering groups in the United States. Our engineers tackle some of the world’s toughest RF, antenna, and aperture challenges. We design high performance, highly integrated, mission critical antennas, radomes, and active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs).

We are seeking a Principal Antenna Design Engineer to drive the development of advanced LO antennas, ultra‑wideband phased arrays, and next‑generation survivability technologies for demanding systems. This role is ideal for senior engineers who want to work on programs with national‑level importance and who excel at both deep technical analysis and hands‑on engineering leadership.

This position requires job duties to be performed onsite due to the sensitive nature of this work and the desire for in-person collaboration; however, we offer flexible in-office hours and the ability to perform some job duties remotely.

What You Will Do

  • Provide technical leadership on the design, modeling, realization, and verification of advanced Low Observable antennas, conformal apertures, ultra‑wideband phased arrays, and passive RF structures.
  • Provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems involving antenna/sensor-based applications such as radar, electronic warfare, electronic attack, electronic support measures, communications, geolocation, direction finding, etc.
  • Lead design teams through architecture trades, detailed EM analysis, LO strategy development, and integration of antenna, RCS, structural, and thermal requirements.
  • Use full‑wave computational EM tools (HFSS, CST, FEKO, SENTRi, X‑Patch or equivalent) to model antenna performance, RCS signatures, aperture interactions, and airframe‑coupled electromagnetic effects.
  • Develop and refine antenna and LO design concepts considering gain, VSWR, bandwidth, field of view, scan performance, polarization purity, structural constraints, and signature objectives.
  • Guide the verification and validation of antenna and RF  erformance, including gain/pattern testing, polarization, insertion loss, and RCS measurement campaigns.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering to define RF, RCS requirements; develop operational concepts; and support architecture‑level trade studies.
  • Translate system‑level needs into antenna level requirements, specifications, and verification plans with clear traceability.
  • Work hands on with Operations, Assembly, and Test personnel to fabricate prototypes, debug hardware, optimize builds, and support manufacturing and qualification.
  • Mentor both peers and early‑career engineers in advanced EM modeling, LO techniques, prototyping and range testing.
  • Present complex technical findings to internal leadership, external customers, and program stakeholders with clarity and authority.
  • Contribute to technical proposals, concept generation, and competitive strategy for new business pursuits.
  • Execute tasks requiring creativity, innovation, and independent technical judgment on high‑visibility programs.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers. Represent the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum of eight (8) years of relevant RF engineering experience including any combination of the following:
    • Radar Cross Section (RCS) modeling, prediction, measurement, or reduction
    • Design, fabrication, and test of conformal antennas, phased array apertures, or RF passive components (radiators, radomes, couplers, transitions, multi‑layer RF structures, FSS)
    • Ultra‑wideband phased array development (TCDA, Vivaldi, Sliced‑Notch, PUMA, or similar)
  • Experience with EM modeling tools such as HFSS, CST, FEKO, SENTRi, X‑Patch, or related CEM software.
  • Experience with leading technical tasks or project teams through design, analysis, build, and / or test.

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in electromagnetics, antennas, survivability, or microwave engineering.
  • Experience presenting complex technical data to leadership, customers, and engineering review boards.
  • Experience preparing and leading technical proposal efforts.
  • Experience leading contract R&D (CRAD) or advanced development programs
  • Familiarity with structural, thermal, materials, or coatings relevant to LO apertures
  • Ability to mentor and guide multidisciplinary teams on high‑impact programs.

Why Join Raytheon’s Airborne Antenna Radomes and Apertures Team

  • Work on antennas that go onto real platforms and deliver real‑world mission impact.
  • Access to one of the broadest ranges of antenna technologies in industry (AESA, UWB, LO, conformal, EW, comms, radar, sensing).
  • Deep technical career growth supported by nationally recognized experts.
  • Collaborative environment with multidisciplinary engineering excellence.

What We Offer

  • Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

  • This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Learn More & Apply Now!

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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