Senior Antenna & RF Design Engineer Verified today

About Umbra

Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems from sensors to spacecraft. Mission Solutions builds purpose-built platforms for U.S. and allied defense and intelligence missions, including custom payloads, full-stack spacecraft, and constellation infrastructure.

The Role

We seek an experienced RF Microwave Design Engineer to lead end-to-end design, analysis, and optimization of high-performance RF components for next-generation spaceborne RF systems. You will design antennas, antenna feed networks, orthomode transducers, waveguide components, circulators, and other passive microwave devices enabling precision RF front-end performance for mission-critical applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze antennas and antenna feed systems including feed horns, waveguide feeds, and polarization networks.
• Design, optimize, and validate orthomode transducers with high isolation, low loss, and broadband performance.
• Develop waveguide components such as transitions, bends, twists, couplers, filters, power dividers, and circulators.
• Perform passive RF and antenna analysis including impedance matching, isolation, insertion loss, and polarization.
• Conduct full-wave EM simulations of passive and antenna structures using 3D EM tools.
• Perform tolerance, thermal, and mechanical sensitivity analyses for precision passive hardware.
• Support fabrication, inspection, and RF testing of passive components, circulators, and antenna assemblies.
• Measure and analyze S-parameters, isolation, return loss, insertion loss, and antenna radiation characteristics.
• Collaborate with mechanical, systems, and integration teams to ensure RF performance, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Generate detailed design documentation, drawings, and verification and test reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 5-8+ years of professional experience in RF/microwave engineering.
• Strong foundation in antenna theory, waveguide theory, ferrite and passive microwave device theory.
• Demonstrated experience designing and building antennas, OMTs, waveguide-based components, and circulators.
• Proficiency with 3D EM simulation tools (HFSS, CST, FEKO, or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience with RF and antenna measurement techniques.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. citizenship required.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.
• 12+ years of professional experience in RF/microwave engineering.
• Experience with multi-band, dual-polarized, or wideband antenna systems.
• Knowledge of horn, reflector, array, or feed network architectures.
• Familiarity with ferrite materials, magnetic biasing, and non-reciprocal device behavior.
• Experience with spaceborne, airborne, or ground-based antenna and RF front-end systems.
• Understanding of environmental qualification and high-reliability passive RF design.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range: $150,000 to $200,000 depending on experience. Benefits include flexible time off, medical/dental/vision/life insurance, 401k with 3% non-elective company contribution, stock options, free parking, and free lunch daily in office.

Work Location

This position is based onsite in our Reston, VA office.