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Volunteer Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Downers Grove, IL

Design Engineer (PE)

Wheaton, IL · On-site +1

$100K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Design Engineer (PE) - Electric Distribution Location: Remote/Wheaton, IL Hire Type: Direct Hire ... volunteer time off, continuing education reimbursement, and additional comprehensive benefits ...

SR Design Engineer

Wheaton, IL · On-site +1

$135K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... volunteer time off, continuing education reimbursement, and additional comprehensive benefits ... The Senior Design Engineer will lead the design, analysis, and technical execution of electric ...

Senior Design Engineer

Wheaton, IL · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Will Group is seeking a Senior Design Engineer - Electrical Distribution to help lead utility ... PTO allotment, paid volunteer time off, 10 ½ days of holiday pay, continuing education ...

Sr. RF Engineer

Schaumburg, IL

$101K - $202K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

... RF Circuit Design Engineering role. In this technical position, the role will have unique and ... Design and optimize circuits for minimal current drain to maximize battery life * Implement analog ...

Electrical Design Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$28K/mo

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... paid volunteer leave each year * 100% charitable match * Medical, dental, and vision insurance ... Provide value engineering reviews and alternate design options in order to maximize cost savings ...

Showing results 41-60

Volunteer Rf Design Engineer information

See Downers Grove, IL salary details

$36.9K

$117.4K

$182.6K

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

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer rf design engineer in Downers Grove, IL is $117,407.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,300.00 and $138,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Volunteer RF Design Engineer do?

A Volunteer RF (Radio Frequency) Design Engineer contributes their expertise to design, test, and optimize radio frequency circuits and systems, often for nonprofit or community projects. Their tasks may include working on antenna design, RF propagation studies, and ensuring regulatory compliance of wireless devices. As volunteers, they typically assist organizations with limited resources, offering technical guidance and supporting the development of communication solutions for projects like emergency services, educational programs, or remote area connectivity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Volunteer RF Design Engineer?

To thrive as a Volunteer RF Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, RF circuit design, and a good understanding of electromagnetic theory, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Experience with RF simulation tools like HFSS, CST, or ADS, along with familiarity with PCB design software and basic test equipment, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing reliable RF systems and collaborating efficiently on projects, even in volunteer or resource-limited environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Volunteer RF Design Engineers when working on community projects?

Volunteer RF Design Engineers often face challenges such as limited access to advanced simulation tools, budget constraints for purchasing high-quality components, and the need to balance project timelines with other professional or personal commitments. Collaboration is typically done with multidisciplinary teams, which may include non-engineers, requiring clear communication of technical concepts. Despite these hurdles, the role offers valuable experience in problem-solving and teamwork, and can significantly enhance your portfolio for future paid opportunities.

What is the difference between Volunteer Rf Design Engineer vs RF Design Engineer?

AspectVolunteer Rf Design EngineerRF Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant engineering education, certifications are optionalRequires a degree in electrical engineering or related field, professional certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentNon-profit or community projects, often remote or part-timeCorporate or industrial settings, full-time roles in labs or offices
Industry UsageUsed in volunteer projects, research, or community initiativesCommon in telecommunications, aerospace, and electronics industries

Volunteer Rf Design Engineers focus on supporting projects through volunteer efforts, often with flexible hours and limited resources. RF Design Engineers work in professional settings with structured roles, higher responsibilities, and industry-standard tools. Both roles require similar technical knowledge, but differ mainly in scope, environment, and commitment.

What are popular job titles related to Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Downers Grove, IL?

For Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Downers Grove, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Downers Grove, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Downers Grove, IL are:

What cities near Downers Grove, IL are hiring for Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Downers Grove, IL with the most Volunteer Rf Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Volunteer Rf Design Engineer job openings in Downers Grove, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,407 per year, or $56.4 per hour.

Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 363 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

89th of 540 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.

The Multi-domain Sensing, Targeting, and Survivability Division (MSTS), located in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, develops operational Electronic Warfare (EW) and targeting systems that provide situational awareness, self-protection, and offensive electronic attack capability to platforms across the spectrum from visible light IR to millimeter wave RF. By joining us, you'll work on projects that help safeguard our nation related to land forces, rotary wing survivability systems, international and U.S. military electronic warfare systems, communications systems, missile warning systems and sensors, infrared counter-measure systems (IRCM), automatic test equipment, modeling and simulation, and situational awareness programs.

The Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer role involves full life-cycle product development from system concept and requirements through design, implementation, test verification, production, field support while working in integrated product teams spanning Engineering, Manufacturing, and Program Management. Digital subsystem and circuit card designs utilize the latest FPGA technologies from all major vendors and device families including Xilinx, Altera, and Actel, and support high speed interfaces, Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and interfaces.

Job Description:

As a Principal/Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer, you will join our diverse team and be responsible for research, design, and development of digital hardware products. Your expertise in digital component design and analysis, modeling and simulation, circuit level design and test, and project leadership are desired for this position. Research, designs, develops, and tests a variety of electronic equipment and systems, including radar and radiation detection equipment; radio, television and other communications equipment and systems; circuitry components; analog and digital computers; and control and test equipment.

*This position may be filled at either a Principal or Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer level based on the qualifications listed below. *

#MSRMTA

This position will be full-time and on-site at our Rolling Meadows, IL. location.

Basic Qualifications for a Principal FPGA DesignEngineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 5 years of digital electronics design experience or 3 years of digital electronics design experience with a Master's degree in a technical field or in lieu of degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.

- Digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration

- Prior hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high speed interfaces.

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or less team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen and must have interim secret clearance prior to starting. Once started, must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Basic Qualifications for a Sr. Principal FPGA Design Engineer:

- Bachelors' degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar engineering discipline with a minimum 8 years of digital electronics design experience or 6 years of digital electronics design experience with a Master's degree in a technical field or in lieu of a degree, an additional 4 years of experience is required.

- Extensive digital circuit design experience, including simulation & schematic capture through test and integration.

- Extensive hands-on prototyping and debug experience testing complex digital subsystems, such as complex circuit card development involving FPGAs, and/or embedded processors, and/or high speed interfaces

- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with 2 or more team members.

- Demonstrated ability to translate system performance and operational specifications into hardware requirements, design, and test specifications.

- Familiarity with documentation, revision control and review systems similar to DOORS, ClearCase, and ClearQuest.

- US Citizen and must have interim secret clearance prior to starting. Once started, must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Advanced degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering with a minimum 12 years of digital electronics design experience.

- Working knowledge of Electronic Warfare systems.

- Experience in Aerospace and/or Defense industries.

- Recent circuit card design experience utilizing circuit-related tools including Cadence Concept, Allegro, and/or Mentor DxDesigner, Expedition.

- Working experience with ClearCase/ClearQuest and DOORS Current Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance.

- Proven skills to include: team leadership, mentoring others, communicating with all levels of an organization internally and externally, being adaptable, creative, collaborative and also comfortable working independently and enjoys solving difficult problems

Primary Level Salary Range: $119,600.00 - $179,400.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $149,300.00 - $223,900.00The 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