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Antenna Design Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Sr. Antenna Engineer (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$225K/yr

... in antenna design/build/test and electromagnetic simulations PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with research/thesis work on RF or antennas

SpaceX

Sr. Antenna Engineer (Starship)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$225K/yr

... in antenna design/build/test and electromagnetic simulations PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with research/thesis work on RF or antennas

M.M.A. Design LLC

RF Engineer

Broomfield, CO · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Own the antenna system from concept to design for manufacture, qualification, testing and flight ... Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field * 10+ years of experience in RF ...

Aptiv PLC

Senior RF Design Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. * 5+ years of experience in antenna design. * Expert understanding of electromagnetics and computational methods. * Design experience in microwave passive ...

Aptiv

Senior RF Design Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. * 5+ years of experience in antenna design. * Expert understanding of electromagnetics and computational methods. * Design experience in microwave passive ...

Aptiv PLC

Senior RF Design Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. * 5+ years of experience in antenna design. * Expert understanding of electromagnetics and computational methods. * Design experience in microwave passive ...

Aptiv

Senior RF Design Engineer

Carmel, IN · On-site

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. * 5+ years of experience in antenna design. * Expert understanding of electromagnetics and computational methods. * Design experience in microwave passive ...

Aptiv

Senior RF Design Engineer

Indiana, PA · On-site

$100 - $150/hr

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. * 5+ years of experience in antenna design. * Expert understanding of electromagnetics and computational methods. * Design experience in microwave passive ...

Logos Space

Antenna Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$140K - $240K/yr

Collaborate closely with IC design, software, systems, and product teams to shape and refine ... MSc or PhD in EE with RF- or antenna-related thesis research * Strong foundations in antennas:

SpaceX

Antenna Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer ... Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/antenna engineering

Cantos Ventures

Principal Antenna Engineer

California, MO · On-site

$190 - $230/hr

Own the antenna and aperture layer of our products end to end: element and array design, conformal ... MS or PhD in electromagnetics preferred * 8+ years of hands‑on RF/microwave hardware experience ...

SpaceX

Antenna Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer ... Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/antenna engineering

SpaceX

Antenna Engineer (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX · On-site

We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer ... Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/antenna engineering

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Antenna Design Phd information

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$40.5K

$111.5K

$164.5K

How much do antenna design phd jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for antenna design phd 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 does an antenna design PhD do?

An Antenna Design PhD is a professional who has completed advanced doctoral studies focusing on the theory, simulation, and practical development of antennas for various applications, including telecommunications, radar, and satellite systems. Their work often involves research into new antenna technologies, optimizing antenna performance, and solving complex electromagnetic problems. They may collaborate with engineers and scientists to design prototypes, conduct experiments, and publish research findings. Antenna Design PhDs are typically employed in academia, research institutes, and industries such as aerospace, defense, and wireless communications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an antenna design PhD, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Antenna Design PhD, you need deep expertise in electromagnetics, RF engineering, and antenna theory, typically supported by a doctorate in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with simulation tools like CST, HFSS, or COMSOL, and familiarity with measurement equipment are crucial, along with published research or patents in antenna design. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills distinguish top candidates, enabling them to explain complex concepts and collaborate effectively. These skills ensure innovative, reliable antenna solutions that advance wireless communications and meet industry or academic research goals.

What are common challenges faced by antenna design PhDs when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

Antenna Design PhDs often encounter challenges such as adapting to faster-paced project timelines and a greater emphasis on practical, cost-effective solutions compared to academia's theoretical focus. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including RF engineers, hardware developers, and product managers—requires strong communication skills and the ability to balance innovation with real-world constraints. Understanding company-specific design tools, manufacturing limitations, and client requirements also becomes crucial for success in industrial settings.

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

AspectAntenna Design PhdRF Engineer
Required CredentialsPhd in Electrical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or RF Engineering
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsManufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace industries
Industry UsageDesigning antennas, research, academiaDeveloping RF systems, signal processing

While both roles involve RF principles, an Antenna Design Phd focuses on advanced research and development of antenna systems, often in academic or specialized R&D settings. An RF Engineer applies RF knowledge to practical system design and implementation in industry. The Phd role emphasizes research expertise, whereas the RF Engineer role centers on applied engineering tasks.

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Antenna Design Phd jobs near you
Infographic showing various Antenna Design Phd job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,500 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

Sr. Antenna Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$225K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 148 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. ANTENNA ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
This team is responsible for RF engineering for the Starship vehicles. This includes both hardware product development (of radios/antennas), as well as ownership of the comm system architecture, analysis, and verification. Hardware development involves managing the development of your product, from design concept through prototyping, qualification testing, and moving into stable production. Systems roles involve extreme ownership of a system from design concept, through integration and test, and even support analysis or on-console for flight. Work may vary in frequency band from UHF (400 MHz) through Ka-band (40 GHz). We also do work outside of communications, including GPS and radar for sensing. We support both the orbital starship vehicle (current development that can be observed in Starbase) as well as the HLS lunar missions for NASA Artemis. We own communications from the baseband (FPGA + modem) through the passband (RF + antenna), and we work closely with mechanical, production, and integration teams.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Design of antennas for communications and sensors, in VHF through Ka-band
  • Build and characterization of antenna, feed, and front-end prototypes
  • Development of measurement systems to support design
  • Analysis of wireless systems (antenna isolation, patterns with large structures, propagation effects, etc.)
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration to improve RF manufacturing, mechanical integration, and testability
  • Provide antenna expertise and RF radiation expertise (plasma attenuation, shielding, etc) to various aspects of the spacecraft

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of relevant professional or project experience in antenna design/build/test and electromagnetic simulations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering with research/thesis work on RF or antennas
  • Experience with test equipment such as spectrum analyzer, signal generator, network analyzer, power meters, and RF passive components
  • Proficiency with basic RF concepts such as impedance matching, linear and aperture antennas, smith chart, power handling metrics (IIP2, IMD), microwave network analysis, RF filter design
  • Experience with near-field or far-field chamber design and operation
  • Familiar with antenna measurement techniques and tools such as anechoic/reverb chambers, near field EM measurements
  • Experience with electrical schematic capture software (Altium, Orcad or similar)
  • Familiar with RF circuit simulation tools for cascade analysis: AWR, ADS, Genesys
  • Experience with electromagnetics simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, Savant, or similar - including tradeoffs of FEM, MoM, FDTD, and PO methods
  • Experience with Python, MATLAB, or C/C++ programming for data analysis or test equipment interfacing
  • Basic CAD skills for prototype designs and working directly with mechanical engineers
  • Experience with variety of antenna types - including reflectors or phased array design
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills, and ability to collaborate with other engineering disciplines

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Antenna Engineer/Senior: $ 160,000.00 - $225,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

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Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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