Contract Antenna Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview

At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We're a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions foster the collaboration that's critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses, and ultimately, safer nations. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future.

Department OverviewOur Applied Technology organization puts some of Motorola Solutions' brightest minds on unique, highly challenging projects. Based on decades of experience with our customers, we apply leading-edge technologies to support security and safety throughout the world. We engineer our products from start to finish and manufacture them in-house. We're known for low volume and high capability with focused specialization in areas including software-defined radios, advanced antenna solutions, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, signals intelligence and more. We can't tell you much more about what we do, but we can tell you it's amazing.
Job Description

Applied Technology seeks a technically proficient and versatile individual to fulfill an Antenna Engineering role. This flexible, results-oriented problem-solver will be responsible for the following for multiple custom wireless communications products:

Antenna Engineering

• Custom Antenna Development: Design, simulate, and optimize custom antenna elements for wideband and multi-band applications.

• Phased Array & Beamforming: Lead the design of active phased array systems, including feed networks, phase shifters, and the implementation of beamsteering architectures.

• Electromagnetic Simulation: Perform full-wave EM simulations using Ansys HFSS and Dassault Systems CST to analyze gain, efficiency, return loss, and radiation patterns.

• RF Architecture Integration: Collaborate with RF Front-End (RFFE) teams to integrate antennas with filters, LNAs, and power amplifiers, ensuring impedance matching and minimal link budget loss.

• Prototyping & Validation: Conduct hands-on testing in Anechoic chambers and Near-field/Far-field ranges to validate hardware against simulated models.

• Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) Design: Address specific challenges of the mmWave frequency range, such as atmospheric absorption, high path loss, and tight manufacturing tolerances.

• Custom ASIC Development: Collaborate with our RF ASIC team on development of beamformer IC's

Customer Technical Interface

• Regularly work directly with customers to develop product requirements

• Communicate technical status verbally, written, and in customer meetings

• Occasional travel to customer meetings may be required.

• Contribute to Business Development and Proposal efforts

Specific Knowledge/Skills

Required skills:

• EM Simulation Software: Expert-level proficiency in ANSYS HFSS and CST Studio Suite.

• Phased Array Theory: Deep understanding of grating lobes, mutual coupling, beam scanning range, and Taylor/Chebyshev weighting for sidelobe control.

• RF Circuit Design: Proficiency in Cadence for matching network design and system-level budget analysis.

• Measurement Hardware: Mastery of Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum Analyzers, and Signal Generators.

• Knowledge of high-frequency substrate properties (e.g., Rogers, Taconic, Megtron) and their performance at mmWave frequencies.

• Excellent verbal / written communications skills.

• Excellent multitasking and prioritization

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• 8+ years design experience

Additional preferred skills:

• Understanding of System-in-Package (SiP) and Antenna-in-Package (AiP) technologies.

#Applied Tech #LI-JM2

Target Base Salary Range: $100,100 - $160,200 USD

Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

• Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain necessary security clearance as required by government contracts. Some contracts may have higher-level clearance requirements.

Travel RequirementsUnder 10%
Relocation ProvidedNone
Position TypeExperienced
Referral Payment PlanNo

Our U.S.Benefitsinclude:

• Incentive Bonus Plans

• Medical, Dental, Visionbenefits

• 401K with Company Match

• 10 Paid Holidays

• GenerousPaidTime Off Packages

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

• PaidParental & Family Leave

• and more!

EEO Statement

Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.

We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you'd like to join our team but feel that you don't quite meet all of the preferred skills, we'd still love to hear why you think you'd be a great addition to our team.

We're committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete thisReasonable Accommodations Formso we can assist you.