Principal Antenna Engineer Rockville, MD Posted: 8/28/2025
Job Description
Job ID#:
212777
Job Category:
IT/Technical
Position Type:
Associate - W2
Duration:
DH
We have an outstanding career opportunity for an Principal Antenna Engineer to join a leading Company located in the Rockville, MD surrounding area.
Salary: $140K to $180K
As our Principal Antenna Engineer with 15+ years of proven experience, you won't just be designing components; you will be the driving force behind the entire lifecycle of next-generation RF and antenna modules for our state-of-the-art SatCom user terminals.
This is a career-defining role for an expert who thrives on technical challenges and leadership. You will help lead a team of brilliant engineers, partner with executive leaders to design the antenna and RF system architecture from concept to production, and leave your mark on products that have a global impact.
Job Responsibilities:
Architect and lead the design of antenna and RF systems for Ku- and Ka-band SatCom terminal products.
Oversee the design and development of various types of Ku- and Ka-band antenna apertures for SatCom terminal applications.
Utilize advanced simulation software and physical modeling to conduct in-depth antenna analyses for design optimization and trade-offs.
Develop and generate design documents and technical packages to support contract manufacturers in prototype fabrication.
Lead the drafting of test plans for RF and antenna modules, ensuring thorough design verification test (DVT) campaigns.
Design phased arrays based on customer specifications such as G/T and EIRP.
Establish and manage RF lab facilities, coordinating and conducting RF and antenna tests, measurements, and characterization.
Design and develop RF and antenna test setups and necessary testing fixtures to ensure accurate measurements.
Write and manage scripting languages to automate testing processes for improved efficiency and accuracy.
Create and review comprehensive antenna and RF test reports, ensuring data accuracy and clarity.
Lead cross-functional engineering teams to review and approve antenna system designs, ensuring alignment with overall product goals.
Support production ramp-up by providing technical guidance to manufacturing partners for prototypes and volume production.
Provide expert engineering analysis and define system specifications for Electronically Steered Antennas (ESA), incorporating radiating elements, beamforming chips, polarizers, and radomes.
Calculate and estimate AESA design features and performance parameters, including radiator types, element count, beam scan range, G/T, and EIRP, based on customer specifications.
Design, optimize, and develop AESA antennas and associated components such as polarizers and radomes, using advanced simulations followed by prototyping and validation through measurements.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the integration of beamforming MMIC chips, polarizers, radomes, and controllers in ESA systems, providing high-level technical oversight.
Basic Hiring Criteria:
A Master of Science (MS) in Electrical Engineering or Physics with a focus on antenna research is required. A Ph.D. with extensive research in antenna and EM-wave theory is highly preferred.
15+ years of proven experience in designing and developing SatCom antenna apertures, with a strong focus on phased array antennas.
15+ years of experience defining and leading antenna and RF system architecture design.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing, mentoring, and developing engineering teams through the full product lifecycle.
Expert-level knowledge of antenna design principles and microwave theory.
Mastery of antenna design and simulation tools such as HFSS, CST, or equivalent software.
Hands-on expertise with RF test equipment, including Vector Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers, and Signal Generators.
Deep understanding of antenna testing methodologies in both far-field and near-field ranges.
Specialized experience in the design of flat-panel, active steerable-beam phased array antennas and their components (beamforming chips, polarizers, advanced PCB-based radiators).
Strong knowledge of commercial microwave PCB materials and manufacturing processes is highly preferred.
Benefits offered vary by contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, and affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations).For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:
The California Fair Chance Act
Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers