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Senior RF Antenna Engineer – Sterling, Virginia

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance applications and radio frequency(RF) products to building entire telecommunication satellites, the HummingSat, defining a new category in space.

SWISSto12’s purses the US market for its advanced RF products and systems through its wholly owned subsidiary St12 RF Solutions Inc.

SWISSto12 owns a significant amount of patented technologies uniquely suited to delivering lightweight, compact, high performance, and competitive RF systems. As such, the company has successfully established contracts for its product lines across the globe with industry leading partners and customers such as Intelsat, Thales, Elbit, IAI, Lockheed Martin and the European Space Agency. SWISSto12’s extensive RF product heritage consists primarily of complex integrated RF cavity-based assemblies (e.g., feed assemblies), antenna arrays and complete antenna systems for satellite communications, electronic surveillance, and radar applications, primarily in the space, airborne and surface domains.

SWISSto12 was founded in 2011 as a spin off from the EPFL in Lausanne, is privately owned and backed by prominent European Investors. The company is headquartered in Switzerland and operates two subsidiaries in the US and one in Israel, with a growing team of over 100 people. The company is well funded, has rapidly growingcustomer revenue streams,and a substantial future contractbacklog.

SWISSto12 is recruiting a Senior RF / Antenna engineer to grow its market share in the US for RF products and subsystems. The position is located with the SWISSto12 team in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The role will require some reasonable traveling (20%) in the US to meet with customers and partners as well as regular travel to the Lausanne, Switzerland headquarters for training and periodic support of non-US customer efforts. This position will require weekly onsite presence to effectively perform co-engineering work with a multidisciplinary team of colleagues across mechanical, manufacturing, systems, aerospace and quality engineering, with possibility for some part-time remote office work.

In this role, you will be responsible for the following functions:

  • Develop RF cavity-based antenna and waveguide-based components and assemblies for SATCOM, EW, and Radar systems used in a wide variety of Aerospace applications.
  • Apply advanced RF technologies, scientific principles, concepts, analyses, and simulations to develop state-of-the-art solutions
  • Interact with mechanical engineering for design iterations to ensure manufacturability of our developed RF designs for 3D printing.
  • Perform or supervise antenna and waveguide-based component RF testing (using a Vector Network Analyzer and Anechoic Chamber).
  • Prepare documentation for our customers (design reports, test plans and test reports).
  • Work with industrial and academic partners on complex projects to manage their contributions.
  • Prepare and present RF design, engineering and test results to customers
  • Prepare technical inputs, including conceptual designs/descriptions and analyses/simulations and engineering cost estimates for responses to customer Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
  • Participate in technical discussions/negotiations with suppliers, partners and customers.
  • Prepare technical concepts/descriptions and engineering cost estimates for proposed IR&D projects; act as the principal investigator
  • Occasionally, you will be asked to participate in overall tasks and services inherent to a dynamic fast-growing company.

Required experience and competencies:

  • At least 5 years’ experience in RF antenna and waveguide component, assembly and subsystem design, development, and test
  • Demonstrated problem-solving mind-set with a willingness to build proposals against challenging customer requirements.
  • Excellent ability to write complex technical, scientific and management documents.
  • Ability to use RF analysis and design tools such as HFSS, CST, TICRA (POS, CHAMP, or GRASP) or equivalent.
  • Able to work on a self-initiated basis while being part of a team.
  • Very well organized.
  • Communicating effectively, excellent relational skills and ability to work in a team with different professional and cultural backgrounds
  • Good customer focus with experience in engaging with customers and supplier.
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on microwave antennas and microwave electronics.
  • Able to obtain a US DOD Secret clearance
  • Language: Fluent in English (with emphasis on excellent writing skills)

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

  • At least 10 years’ experience in RF antenna and waveguide component and assembly design, development, and test.
  • PhD in Electrical Engineering with a focus on microwave antennas and microwave electronics.
  • Active US DOD Secret clearance and be eligible for a Top Secret clearance.

Interested applicants are requested to apply through LinkedIn

SWISSto12 and St12 RF Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. EEO M / F / D / V