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Senior Microwave Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aircapture

Senior Microwave Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Design the technology of our lifetime as a Senior Microwave Engineer at Aircapture! You will use your deep expertise in microwave technology to advance a cutting-edge approach to Direct Air Capture ...

Aircapture

Senior Microwave Engineer

Berkeley, CA

$170K - $200K/yr

Design the technology of our lifetime as a Senior Microwave Engineer at Aircapture! You will use your deep expertise in microwave technology to advance a cutting-edge approach to Direct Air Capture ...

Blue Origin

Sr. Microwave Engineer - TeraWave

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$156K - $219K/yr

Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! - We are seeking an Senior Microwave Engineer to lead the design and development of next-generation, high ...

IonQ

Senior Microwave Characterization Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Senior Microwave Characterization Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world ...

IonQ

Senior Microwave Characterization Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Senior Microwave Characterization Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world ...

IonQ

Senior Microwave Research Scientist

$126K - $166K/yr

As a Senior Microwave Research Scientist, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission ... MS in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field * Experience leading cross-disciplinary ...

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Senior Microwave Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior microwave engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior microwave engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Microwave Engineer, you need expertise in RF/microwave circuit design, electromagnetic theory, and a relevant engineering degree, often supported by several years of industry experience. Familiarity with technical tools such as HFSS, ADS, CST, and network analyzers, as well as certifications like a Professional Engineer (PE) license, are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for developing reliable, high-performance microwave systems and effectively working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Microwave Engineers when working on multi-disciplinary project teams?

Senior Microwave Engineers often collaborate with professionals from various disciplines, such as mechanical, systems, and software engineering. One common challenge is ensuring that microwave subsystem requirements are clearly communicated and integrated with broader system specifications. Additionally, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability can require navigating trade-offs with other teams. Strong communication skills and proactive engagement in design reviews and cross-functional meetings help address these challenges and lead to successful project outcomes.

What does a Senior Microwave Engineer do?

A Senior Microwave Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing microwave circuits and systems used in applications such as telecommunications, radar, satellite communications, and defense. Their work often involves creating schematics, selecting components, conducting simulations, and troubleshooting hardware issues. They also collaborate with other engineers and project teams to ensure system performance and compliance with industry standards. Senior Microwave Engineers typically have several years of experience and may also mentor junior engineers. Their expertise is crucial for advancing high-frequency electronic technologies.

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

AspectSenior Microwave EngineerMicrowave Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like RF or microwave certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications in RF/microwave design
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, telecommunications, aerospace, defense industriesDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilities
ResponsibilitiesLeading projects, system integration, troubleshooting, mentoringDesigning microwave components, simulations, prototype development

The main difference is that Senior Microwave Engineers oversee projects and lead teams, while Microwave Design Engineers focus primarily on designing microwave components and systems. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications, but the senior role involves more leadership and project management responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Senior Microwave Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Microwave Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Microwave Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Microwave Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Microwave Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Microwave Engineer jobs include:
Senior Microwave Engineer jobs near you
Senior Microwave Engineer

Senior Microwave Engineer

Aircapture

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

At Aircapture we're creating technology to solve what we believe to be our lifetime's most pressing challenge: the climate crisis. We supply commercial and industrial customers with clean CO2 captured from our atmosphere to radically improve the environment, our economy, and our lives. We value building a team of people who represent diverse backgrounds-be it through education, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation-to reach our goals. Thank you for considering us.
Design the technology of our lifetime as a Senior Microwave Engineer at Aircapture! You will use your deep expertise in microwave technology to advance a cutting-edge approach to Direct Air Capture (DAC). This role is for someone who thrives on technical challenges, loves discovering solutions by doing, and is energized by working at the frontier of a genuinely new application of an established technology. If you are excited to have a major impact at a groundbreaking climate technology startup, we want to hear from you.
This role is onsite at our development and production facility in Berkeley, California.
Salary: $170,000-200,000 per year
What You'll Do Here
  • Innovate and solve technical challenges, leveraging your deep expertise in microwave, electrical, and mechanical systems to research and develop first-of-a-kind Microwave Direct Air Capture (MWDAC) technology
  • Operate with equal command of simulation tools and physical experimentation-a rare combination that is essential to moving this technology forward
  • Design novel high voltage and high power microwave heating systems from 1 kW to 100 kW across frequency ranges from 900 MHz to 3000 MHz
  • Optimize MWDAC cavity and waveguide designs through simulation and modeling, then build and validate experimental test rigs and prototypes that advance R&D efforts
  • Design and execute test plans and experimental protocols, collect and analyze data rigorously, and close the loop between simulation predictions and physical results
  • Oversee microwave safety protocols and ensure safe operation of all MW systems in the lab environment
  • Partner with a motivated, multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists who are excited about this work and this mission

Your Skills and Abilities Include
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with a focus on microwave technology
  • Master's or PhD preferred, or equivalent hands-on industry experience
  • 5+ years of experience in R&D roles involving system design, simulation, hands-on experimental work, data collection and analysis, and iterative design refinement
  • Deep expertise in RF and microwave engineering, including s-parameters, material permittivity, impedance matching, chamber modeling, and multimode and single-mode wave propagation
  • Expert proficiency with industry-standard RF/microwave modeling software such as COMSOL or ANSYS HFSS (we use COMSOL), combined with a track record of validating models against physical experimental results. Proficiency with SolidWorks preferred
  • Ability to design and execute test procedures, interpret experimental data, and translate findings into design improvements-working fluidly between the model and the lab
  • Knowledge of microwave safety standards and practices, including RF leakage detection, arc prevention, and high-voltage electrical safety
  • Self-directed and resourceful: you identify what you need, make the case for it, find a way forward when the obvious path is blocked, and take full ownership of your projects without waiting to be directed
  • Outstanding collaborative abilities: communicates proactively and directly across disciplines, receives feedback constructively, raises concerns through appropriate channels, and works effectively alongside mechanical, electrical, controls, and R&D colleagues

Aircapture strives to create a safe, inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace. Every teammate adds to who we are, diversifying our ideas, experiences and viewpoints and makes us stronger. We hope you feel welcome here.

Apply