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Antenna Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Umbra

Senior Antenna & RF Design Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

About the Job We are seeking an experienced RF Microwave Design Engineer with deep expertise in antenna systems and passive microwave hardware to support the development of next-generation spaceborne ...

Umbra

Senior Antenna & RF Design Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

About the Job We are seeking an experienced RF Microwave Design Engineer with deep expertise in antenna systems and passive microwave hardware to support the development of next-generation spaceborne ...

Cymertek

RF Systems Engineer

Tysons, VA · On-site

RF Systems Engineer LOCATION Tysons, VA 22182 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Ability to design and analyze antenna systems DESIRED SKILLS * Familiarity with phased array ...

Cymertek

RF Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

RF Systems Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this ... Ability to design and analyze antenna systems DESIRED SKILLS * Familiarity with phased array ...

Cymertek

RF Systems Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

RF Systems Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Ability to design and analyze antenna systems DESIRED SKILLS * Familiarity with phased array ...

CIS Secure

TEMPEST Engineer

Ashburn, VA

$90K - $105K/yr

Overview CIS Secure Computing is seeking a motivated and experienced TEMPEST Engineer to follow TEMPEST test plans, execute TEMPEST testing, and develop final test reports. Responsibilities * Follow ...

CIS Secure

TEMPEST Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Overview CIS Secure Computing is seeking a motivated and experienced TEMPEST Engineer to follow TEMPEST test plans, execute TEMPEST testing, and develop final test reports. Responsibilities * Follow ...

CIS Secure

TEMPEST Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

CIS Secure Computing is seeking a motivated and experienced TEMPEST Engineer to follow TEMPEST test plans, execute TEMPEST testing, and develop final test reports. * Follow TEMPEST test plans ...

CACI International, Inc.

Senior RF Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$106K - $146K/yr

Guide and mentor junior RF/antenna engineers in beamformer design principles and phased array technologies * Design, model, analyze, and measure the performance of analog and digital beamforming ...

CACI International Inc.

Senior RF Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$120.80 - $265.80/hr

Required:Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE desired) and 15+ years of experience in RF/Antenna design with significant focus on phased arrays and beamforming systemsStrong ...

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All JobsAntenna Engineer JobsAntenna Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Antenna Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$58.5K

$136.1K

$194.8K

How much do antenna engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for antenna engineer in Virginia is $136,132.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,600.00 and $194,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Antenna Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectAntenna EngineerRF Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, specialized in antennasBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, RF or Communications focus
Work EnvironmentDesigning, testing, and optimizing antennas in labs or fieldDesigning and testing RF circuits and systems in labs or production
Industry UsageTelecommunications, aerospace, defense, wireless devicesWireless communications, radar, satellite, mobile networks

Both Antenna Engineers and RF Engineers work in wireless and telecommunications industries, often overlapping in skills related to radio frequency systems. However, Antenna Engineers focus specifically on antenna design and performance, while RF Engineers handle broader RF circuit and system design. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as an Antenna 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 HFSS or CST, vector network analyzers, and relevant certifications such as the IEEE Wireless Communication certification is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial for designing, testing, and optimizing antennas that meet performance requirements in complex wireless systems.

What is an antenna engineer?

An antenna engineer designs and develops antennas and other communication devices. The duties of someone in this career include working with electronic equipment such as modems, cell phones, satellite equipment, and radio antennas. As an engineer, you may analyze a company’s needs and then make plans to meet those needs. Your responsibilities may include performing research, making a development schedule, and creating budget proposals for development projects. You often create prototypes of your designs for testing and then analyze performance. Many projects require an understanding of radio frequency (RF) ranges.

How does an antenna engineer typically collaborate with other teams during the development of a new wireless product?

Antenna Engineers frequently work alongside RF engineers, mechanical designers, and product managers to ensure that antenna designs are optimized for both performance and manufacturability. During product development, they participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss integration challenges, share test results, and address design trade-offs. Close collaboration with the testing and quality assurance teams is also essential to validate the antenna's real-world performance. This teamwork helps ensure the final product meets regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
More about Antenna Engineer jobs
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Antenna Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Antenna Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,132 per year, or $65.4 per hour.

Senior Antenna & RF Design Engineer

Umbra

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space. Our mission is simple and ambitious: redefine space-for people, systems, and missions in every domain. Umbra's ecosystem operates through three business units: Remote Sensing (the data), Space Systems (the components), and Mission Solutions (the platforms). Together, our teams develop capabilities that deliver persistent access, resilient performance, and mission-ready solutions, advancing U.S. space leadership while keeping the world safe and informed.
About the Team
Mission Solutions - The Platforms
Mission Solutions builds on Umbra's expertise in remote sensing and spacecraft operations to engineer platforms purpose-built for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions. Whether it's a custom payload, a full-stack spacecraft, or the infrastructure behind an entire constellation, our team delivers secure, resilient systems tailored to exacting requirements and built on timelines that match the urgency of the mission.
If you want to work on cutting-edge space technology that's redefining what's possible in space platforms, you belong here at Umbra.
About the Job
We are seeking an experienced RF Microwave Design Engineer with deep expertise in antenna systems and passive microwave hardware to support the development of next-generation spaceborne RF systems. In this role, you will lead the end-to-end design, analysis, and optimization of high-performance RF components-including antennas, antenna feed networks, orthomode transducers (OMTs), waveguide components, circulators, and other passive microwave devices-enabling precision RF front-end performance for mission-critical applications.
This position is based on-site in our Reston, VA office.
Key Responsibilities
  • Design and analyze antennas and antenna feed systems including feed horns, waveguide feeds, and polarization networks.
  • Design, optimize, and validate orthomode transducers with high isolation, low loss, and broadband performance.
  • Develop waveguide components such as transitions, bends, twists, couplers, filters, power dividers, and circulators.
  • Perform passive RF and antenna analysis including impedance matching, isolation, insertion loss, and polarization.
  • Conduct full-wave EM simulations of passive and antenna structures using 3D EM tools.
  • Perform tolerance, thermal, and mechanical sensitivity analyses for precision passive hardware.
  • Support fabrication, inspection, and RF testing of passive components, circulators, and antenna assemblies.
  • Measure and analyze S-parameters, isolation, return loss, insertion loss, and antenna radiation characteristics.
  • Collaborate with mechanical, systems, and integration teams to ensure RF performance, robustness, and manufacturability.
  • Generate detailed design documentation, drawings, and verification/test reports.

Requirements
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
  • 5-8+ years of professional experience in RF/microwave engineering.
  • Strong foundation in antenna theory, waveguide theory, ferrite and passive microwave device theory.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and building antennas, OMTs, waveguide-based components, and circulators.
  • Proficiency with 3D EM simulation tools (HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent).
  • Hands-on experience with RF and antenna measurement techniques.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Desired Qualifications
  • Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
  • 12+ years of professional experience in RF/microwave engineering.
  • Experience with multi-band, dual-polarized, or wideband antenna systems.
  • Knowledge of horn, reflector, array, or feed network architectures.
  • Familiarity with ferrite materials, magnetic biasing, and non-reciprocal device behavior.
  • Experience with spaceborne, airborne, or ground-based antenna and RF front-end systems.
  • Understanding of environmental qualification and high-reliability passive RF design.

Benefits
  • Flexible Time Off, Sick, Family & Medical Leave
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD (employer funded)
  • Vol Life, Critical Illness, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance (employee funded)
  • 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution
  • Stock Options
  • Free Parking
  • Free lunch daily in office

Umbra is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions requiring an active U.S. Government security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Employment Eligibility Verification
In compliance with federal laws, all hired persons will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) upon hire.
ITAR/EAR Requirements
This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.
Pay Transparency
This job posting may cover multiple career levels. To ensure greater transparency, we provide base salary ranges for all roles, regardless of location. Our standard pay ranges are based on the role's function and level, benchmarked against similar growth-stage companies. Compensation may vary based on geographical location, as certain regions may have different cost-of-living factors. The final offer will also be influenced by the candidate's skills, responsibilities, and relevant experience.
Compensation Range
The Compensation Range for this role is $150,000 - $200,000 DOE.

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