Principal RF Engineer

Location:

Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID: 103413

The Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems business is a global leader and strategic partner committed to delivering world-class, full life-cycle defense and intelligence products that protect the security of our nation and our allies. From air combat training to state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems, our technology is deployed by virtually all U.S. military and government agencies around the world.

Job Summary

DRS Signal Solutions is hiring an experienced Electrical Engineer IV (RF) in our Germantown, MD office. In this role, you will be lead the design, development, modification and analysis of RF/Microwave analog circuits in a broadband frequency range of 20 MHz to 20 GHz. Design modules include Synthesizers, Exciters, Pre-selectors, Up/Down Converters, Exciters and link budget analysis. Must be familiar with major system level receiver testing. Some remote flexibility permitted*.

Job Responsibilities

Troubleshoot radios and systems to component level and perform design changes to improve performance
RF hardware research, design, and development of state of the art heterodyne and software defined radio systems
Perform design and analysis tasks on electronic and electromechanical hardware including circuit boards, electro-mechanical devices, and electronics packaging of components
Analyze new product designs and communicate technical information as to how and why it works the way it does to support staff
Ability to perform complex investigations and presenting them in a concise manner along with outlining tradeoffs
Knowledge of Digital circuitry design
- High speed VPX backplane interfaces
- Power supply design, conditioning and EM filtering
Work with outside vendors and quality team to address material discrepancies
Work with cross-functional teams to meet manufacturability, testability and other design for manufacturing requirements for volume production
Design and conduct engineering experiments and evaluate and act upon test results

Job Responsibilities Part II

Perform detailed design of RF circuitry
- Cascaded gain, noise figure, and intercept point analysis
- Spurious analysis
- Impact of filter response on 2nd order performance
- Initial estimation of signal flow on defined board area
- Proper usage of mixers
- Synthesizer phase noise derivation
- Microwave filter simulation and yield prediction
- Printed filter design, and simulation
- Generate filter specifications to meet the tuner requirements
- Direct layout specialist to fit design in allotted space
Product qualification includes:
- Responsible for conducting and supporting engineering tests and detailed experiments in support of customer applications
- Responsible for writing the integration and test plan and procedure documentation
- Perform subsystem and radio level verification and validation testing using formal techniques
- Outlining new testing requirements and assets required to support the product
Project support includes:
- Design sensitivity/optimization studies, preliminary and final design, component selection, integration and test support, materials selection, design documentation and collaboration with manufacturing operations
- Prepare periodic status presentations for management
- Work with obsolescence team to mitigate obsolete devices through redesign of RF sub-assemblies
- Introduce designs into manufacturing through new product introduction processes
- Determine radio and process improvements to increase test yields and product quality
- Identify, track and resolve assigned hardware defects through board level functional analysis followed by design updates and/or board repair

Qualifications

BS Engineering or other technical discipline and a minimum of 8+ years of experience including 6 years in RF product development, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- MS Engineering preferred
Proficient in Excel for charting results
Exposure to test scripting programming languages such as LabVIEW, Python, Matlab
Proven record of accomplishment of taking designs from concept through the product development cycle
Proficient in the use of basic test equipment such as spectrum analyzer, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters
Ability to troubleshoot radios and systems to component level and perform design changes to improve performance
RF hardware research, design, and development of state of the art heterodyne and software defined radio systems
Experience with frequency bands from 20 MHz to 20000 MHz
Proven leadership qualities and ability to mentor junior engineers
U.S. DOD Security clearance preferred
For compliance with Executive Order 14042 candidates must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
*This position has the option of being either fully onsite in our Germantown facility or partly remote (onsite Tues-Thurs). Must live within commuting distance of the facility regardless of choice.

COVID-19 continues to significantly impact our employees, families, and communities. With employee health and safety as our top priority, Leonardo DRS is taking action to address the risk and uncertainty COVID variants pose in the workplace. We require all newly hired employees in the United States to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical or religious accommodation is formally approved by Leonardo DRS prior to commencing employment.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates are equal opportunity employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #AIS

Our Mission

To build shareholder value through a commitment to high ethical standards and a superior performance culture focused on customers, employees, financial results and corporate citizenship.

Our Vision

To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values

Our employees appreciate a culture of open honest communications, and fair and equitable treatment. We accomplish this through:

INTEGRITY. At Leonardo DRS ethics and accountability always comes first.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. We set high standards of performance for ourselves and others. We consistently deliver excellent products and services. We adhere to quality levels demanded by our customers. We assume responsibility and accountability to achieve excellence. We settle for nothing less.

CUSTOMER FOCUS. We go above and beyond to meet customer needs, and work to create long-term relationships with our customers.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION. We accept unconditionally the value that every individual has to offer. We embrace different points of view. We continually foster an environment that enables all employees to contribute to their full potential. We cooperate together as a diverse workforce serving a diverse population.

INNOVATION. At Leonardo DRS, innovation is in our DNA. We have built this company through the innovative ideas of our employees and continue to foster an environment that rewards new ideas to help our government and military customers save lives, solve critical problems and modernize to ensure mission success for years to come.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. is committed
to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We are committed to building a workplace where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. At Leonardo DRS, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us a stronger Company. We embrace different points of view, respect one another in the workplace, and understand that an inclusive environment furthers creativity, innovation, and business performance.

For additional information on Leonardo DRS, please visit our website at www.leonardodrs.com

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC

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