Rf Engineer Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software‑defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power‑hungry systems to do more with less.

This is an exciting role at an innovative, high‑growth defense technology company. The Senior RF Engineer will lead the design of solid‑state power amplifier modules from concept to production. The ideal candidate for the position is someone who has experience with high power amplifier design and will have full ownership of product development through all stages of conception, prototype, and productization. In this role, you will work closely with a talented engineering team in a fast‑paced environment to apply emerging technologies in innovative ways to rapidly produce new products. This position will report to the Manager of RF Engineering.

• Design of high-power microwave amplifiers and RF front‑end modules for CW or pulsed operation
• Modeling, simulation, analysis, design, test, and optimization of high power active and passive power amplifier circuits
• Generate schematics and work closely with mechanical, thermal, and PCB layout teams to ensure circuit designs meet requirements while striving for first pass design success
• Board bring up, test, and bench level tuning
• Develop design verification test plans and assist with testing
• Evaluate, characterize, and select off-the-shelf power amplifier components like discrete transistors, MMICs, couplers, splitters/combiners, etc.
• Assist with RF system and/or subsystem requirement development and feasibility studies
• Assist with manufacturing process and test requirement development
• Coordinate with internal quality and supply chain teams for process improvements
• Work with vendors to explore new device capabilities and modeling
• Troubleshoot board level RF issues/failures and provide recommended paths forward
• Hold design reviews and presentations with peers and act as a reviewer

• BS or MS degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus in RF Engineering
• 5+ years experience with broadband high power amplifier design and development in frequency ranges from UHF to C band or higher with power levels 100W or greater
• Thorough understanding of high-power amplifier design process from component characterization and selection to volume manufacturing
• Experience with RF cascade analyses, component selection, and component evaluations
• Skilled with modeling, simulation, analysis, design, test and optimization of RF power amplifiers and supporting circuits like couplers, detectors, and bias sequencing / control
• Familiar with power amplifier impedance matching circuits and optimizations
• Experience with schematic capture and guiding PCB layout
• Experience with test plan development and test execution
• Experience developing circuit models and simulations using tools like Keysight ADS or Cadence AWR
• Experience with test equipment like vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and load pull
• US Citizen or permanent resident (future security clearance may be required)

• Experience with 3D electromagnetic modeling and simulation using tools like Ansys HFSS, CST, and Feko or similar
• Familiar with RF filter design
• Experience with PCB design / layout
• Experience with RF requirement development and feasibility analyses
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization
• Organized; comfortable working in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment

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.

As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location.

For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $143,900—$170,000 USD