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Rf Microwave Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Umbra

Senior Antenna & RF Design Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

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 ...

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Rf Microwave Design Engineer information

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$37K

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$183K

How much do rf microwave design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for rf microwave design engineer in the United States is $117,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,500.00 and $139,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an RF microwave design engineer do?

An RF Microwave Design Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and testing radio frequency (RF) and microwave circuits and systems, which are essential for wireless communication devices, radar, satellite, and aerospace applications. They work with components such as amplifiers, filters, antennas, and oscillators to ensure optimal performance and compliance with industry standards. The role involves using specialized simulation and measurement tools, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with other engineers to deliver reliable high-frequency solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RF microwave design engineer?

To thrive as an RF Microwave Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, electromagnetic theory, and RF circuit design, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools like ADS, HFSS, and MATLAB, as well as experience with PCB layout and testing equipment such as network analyzers, is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help engineers collaborate and address complex design challenges. These skills are crucial for developing reliable and high-performance RF systems used in telecommunications, aerospace, and defense industries.

What are some typical challenges faced by RF microwave design engineers when developing new products?

RF Microwave Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing electromagnetic interference, optimizing circuit layouts for high-frequency performance, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. They must balance design requirements with manufacturing constraints, which can be especially complex when working on miniaturized components. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as hardware, firmware, and test engineering—is essential to troubleshoot issues and validate prototypes effectively.

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

AspectRf Microwave Design EngineerRF Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, RF or Microwave specializationBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, RF or related field, often with testing certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, engineering officesTesting labs, production facilities, field testing environments
Industry UsageDesigning RF/microwave components and systemsTesting and validating RF/microwave devices and systems

While both roles involve RF/microwave technology, the Rf Microwave Design Engineer focuses on creating and developing RF components, whereas the RF Test Engineer specializes in testing and validating these components to ensure performance and quality.

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Rf Microwave Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rf Microwave Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,680 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Engineer/Principal Engineer RF Microwave Design

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Baltimore, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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 - $131,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $108,800.00 - $163,200.00The 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

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