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Microwave Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Microwave Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$111.5K

$164.5K

How much do microwave design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for microwave 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 some typical challenges Microwave Design Engineers face when working on new product development?

Microwave Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing signal integrity at high frequencies, minimizing electromagnetic interference, and optimizing circuit layouts for compact spaces. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams—like mechanical engineers and manufacturing specialists—is essential to balance design feasibility with production requirements. Staying updated with the latest simulation tools and materials is also crucial for overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring that designs meet performance specifications throughout the development cycle.

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

AspectMicrowave Design EngineerRF Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in RF/microwaveBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, with RF specialization
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesDesign labs, testing facilities, field deployment
Industry UsageTelecommunications, aerospace, defense, radar systemsWireless communication, mobile devices, satellite systems

Microwave Design Engineers focus on designing high-frequency microwave circuits and systems, often working on radar and satellite technology. RF Engineers have a broader scope, working on radio frequency systems across various applications like wireless networks and mobile devices. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, Microwave Design Engineers specialize in higher frequency ranges and complex microwave components, making their roles distinct within the RF engineering field.

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

To thrive as a Microwave Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, RF/microwave circuit theory, and experience with high-frequency component design, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with industry-standard simulation tools like HFSS, ADS, or CST, as well as experience with PCB layout software and test equipment such as network analyzers, is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective problem-solving and communication skills help you excel in collaborative and innovative environments. These skills are vital for developing reliable microwave systems that meet performance requirements and industry standards.

What are Microwave Design Engineers?

Microwave Design Engineers are specialized electrical engineers who design, develop, and test components and systems that operate using microwave frequencies, typically ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Their work includes creating devices such as antennas, amplifiers, filters, and transmitters used in applications like wireless communications, radar, satellite systems, and medical devices. They use advanced simulation tools to model electromagnetic behavior and ensure devices meet performance standards. Additionally, they often collaborate with other engineers to integrate microwave components into larger systems. The role requires strong knowledge in electromagnetics, circuit design, and RF (radio frequency) engineering.
More about Microwave Design Engineer jobs
What states have the most Microwave Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Microwave Design Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Microwave Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,500 per year, or $53.6 per hour.
Engineer/Principal Engineer RF Microwave Design

Engineer/Principal Engineer RF Microwave Design

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Baltimore, MD • On-site

Other

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 352 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 527 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Missions Systems is seeking experienced RF engineers in the following areas: Antennas, Electromagnetics, Computational Electromagnetics, RF/Microwave design, Digital beamforming, Hardware/Subsystem Integration and Test, and Antenna Control Design.
The qualified candidate will work with a diverse and talented team of engineers developing innovative and cost-effective systems that support a broad range of products and business areas across the lifecycle of a program. Applicants should possess the ability to communicate effectively and clearly present technical approaches and findings.
What you'll get to do:
Responsibilities may include testing and troubleshooting Line Replacement Modules (LRM) and Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) of RF architecture, recommend data driven requirements threshold adjustments, perform subsystem analysis including hardware from RF to digits, support for performance testing, requirements verification, and more.
Experienced applicants will have at least a bachelor's degree in science or other related technical degree or have equivalent experience testing and troubleshooting, integration, designing, developing and/or testing radio frequency (RF) with or without digital. Candidates would have the ability to troubleshoot complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity.
In addition, this candidate should have demonstrated technical ability/leadership and expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • RF and/or digital hardware test and/or troubleshooting
  • Troubleshot electronic equipment to the component level.
  • Integrated Receiver Exciter Assemblies (IREX)
  • Highly integrated subsystems including receiver exciter hardware
  • RF Performance Analysis
  • Computational Electromagnetics, Statistics
  • Subsystem Control Design
  • RF Measurements and Data Reduction
  • Integration and test of RF assemblies
  • Subsystem requirements (hardware and software) derivation, flow-down, and configuration
  • Comfortable creating test support applications and tools using MATLAB, python, etc.
  • Experience with Atlassian Tool Suite, Git
  • Active Interim Secret or higher clearance.

This role can be filled by either an Engineer or Principal Engineer as listed below.
This role is for the 2nd shift. The 2nd shift schedule is as follows: 1PM to 9PM Monday through Friday.
This role has a 10% differential.
This role is contingent upon candidates having a current, active Government Secret Clearance.
Basic Qualification for Engineer:
  • Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 2 years of experience in the areas described in the job description above. 0 years of experience with a Masters Degree. An additional 4 years of experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • A current, active Government Secret clearance is required
  • Demonstrate problem solving skills to a variety of RF/Microwave design and test related problems of increasing scope and complexity as assigned
  • Proven knowledge of electrical engineering, design software and equipment
  • Expertise Testing and Troubleshooting in a Manufacturing Environment
  • Experience troubleshooting RF hardware/subsystems

Basic Qualifications for Principal Engineer:
  • Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related discipline with 5 years of experience in the areas described in the job description above. 3 years of experience with a Masters Degree. An additional 4 years of experience is acceptable in lieu of a degree.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • A current, active Government Secret clearance is required
  • Expertise Testing and Troubleshooting in a Manufacturing Environment
  • Demonstrate problem solving skills to a variety of RF/Microwave design and test related problems of increasing scope and complexity as assigned
  • Proven knowledge of electrical engineering, design software and equipment
  • Expertise with troubleshooting RF hardware/subsystems

Preferred Qualifications
  • Current Active DoD Secret Clearance.
  • Experience Testing, Troubleshooting or designing RF hardware/subsystems
  • Troubleshot electronic equipment to the component level.
  • Experience with RF lab test equipment: signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, etc.
  • Hands on experience in at least one type of these test set: Common RF Test Set (CRFTS), LM-STAR, Hiller Test sets, Phase Noise Test sets and consoles
  • Experience troubleshooting and resolving HW/SW integration problems
  • Experience with using or developing software to control hardware (such as MATE or AMAX)
  • Experience with test scripting, data analysis, and/or signal processing
  • Experience mentoring other design and/or RF test engineers

Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00
Secondary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939