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Senior Microwave Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northeastern University

Sr R&D Engineer

Burlington, MA · On-site

$99K - $143K/yr

This position focuses on the design, simulation, prototyping, and testing of RF and microwave systems for defense, sensing, and communication applications. The Senior RF Engineer will serve as a ...

NorthEastern

Sr R&D Engineer

Burlington, MA · On-site

$99K - $143K/yr

This position focuses on the design, simulation, prototyping, and testing of RF and microwave systems for defense, sensing, and communication applications. The Senior RF Engineer will serve as a ...

BAE Systems

Eng Sr - RF

Nashua, NH · On-site

$97K - $164K/yr

Given our continued growth, we have immediate roles available for a highly motivated Senior RF/Microwave Engineer to join our Continued Engineering Support (CES) Team. The CES team is responsible for ...

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How much do senior microwave engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 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

Radio Frequency Engineer - HP Microwave Systems | SSPA | Signal Integrity | CA

Jobsonboard

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

RF Spatial Engineer – RF Design & Microwave Systems

Location: CA
Industry: Defense & Space
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (3+ Years)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled RF Spatial Engineer with strong hands-on expertise in RF design, microwave systems, and RF hardware validation. This role focuses on the end-to-end development of advanced RF and microwave subsystems used in mission-critical aerospace, defense, and satellite communication applications.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in RF designing, testing, and validating high-performance systems, including SSPA (Solid State Power Amplifiers) and BUC (Block Upconverters), along with strong proficiency in RF measurement and simulation tools.

You will contribute to the full product lifecycle—from concept and simulation through prototype testing, integration, production support, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and develop advanced RF and microwave subsystems, including power amplifiers, converters, mixers, filters, synthesizers, and T/R modules.
  • Develop and analyze quasi-optical and spatial power combining architectures for high-power RF systems.
  • Perform RF, microwave, and electromagnetic simulations using:
    • ADS (Advanced Design System)
    • AWR Microwave Office
    • HFSS
    • CST Studio Suite
  • Design, simulate, and optimize RF circuits for performance, efficiency, stability, and thermal behavior.
  • Conduct RF system characterization including gain, power, linearity, noise figure, efficiency, and reliability testing.
  • Operate RF test equipment including:
    • Vector Network Analyzers (VNA)
    • Spectrum Analyzers
    • Signal Generators
    • Power Meters
    • Oscilloscopes
  • Develop detailed test plans, validation procedures, and technical documentation.
  • Support prototype builds, integration testing, and production ramp-up activities (NPI support).
  • Perform root cause analysis and troubleshooting of RF design, manufacturing, and performance issues.
  • Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and quality engineering teams to ensure design manufacturability and system reliability.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to RF technology roadmaps.
  • Provide technical input for design reviews, failure analysis, and corrective actions.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Microwave Engineering, or related field.
  • Minimum 3+ years of direct experience in RF design, testing, and validation.
  • Hands-on experience with RF and microwave circuit design and subsystem development.
  • Strong experience working with RF measurement equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters).
  • Proven experience in RF hardware development and system-level integration.
Technical Skills (Must-Have)
  • RF & Microwave Design Engineering
  • RF Circuit Simulation & Modeling
  • SSPA (Solid State Power Amplifier) Design & Testing
  • BUC (Block Upconverter) Systems
  • ADS, AWR, HFSS, CST
  • RF Testing & Measurement
  • Signal Processing & Microwave Systems
  • VNA Calibration and Measurement Techniques
  • Spectrum Analysis & Signal Characterization
Preferred Experience
  • Experience in Electronic Warfare (EW) systems
  • Radar system development experience
  • Aerospace, defense, or satellite communications background
  • Experience with high-power RF system design
  • NPI (New Product Introduction) and production support experience
Key Competencies
  • Strong analytical and mathematical ability (calculus & spatial reasoning)
  • High attention to detail and design accuracy
  • Ability to work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments
  • Strong ownership mindset and accountability
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Work Environment
  • On-site role in an advanced engineering and testing environment
  • Exposure to RF labs, microwave test systems, and prototype hardware
  • Collaboration with multi-disciplinary engineering teams
  • Defense-grade quality and reliability standards
Why Join Us?
  • Work on cutting-edge RF and microwave technologies for aerospace and defense applications
  • Direct impact on mission-critical communication systems
  • Hands-on work with advanced RF simulation and test equipment
  • Strong technical growth opportunities in high-power RF engineering