Overview

iDirect Government continues to fuel its engineering growth and seeks innovative, creative and experienced hardware RF design engineer who is ready for the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards that come with working in a high-energy, fast-paced environment. iDirect Government is dedicated to providing next generation solutions for broadband IP networking via satellite networks. As the leading innovators in this new space, our diverse and talented team of Internet, satellite and telecommunications professionals continues to break new ground and create significant opportunities for network operators, for service providers and resellers, and for corporate networking professionals. The principal analog/RF design engineer works within iDirect Government Engineering team. The candidate will be responsible for the participating in the specification, design, development, documentation and support of comprehensive satellite communications system incorporating power, digital and RF designs from concept through completion. He/she will be a highly motivated self-starter with strong written and oral communication skills and works well in a team environment. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with the smartest team, and the very latest technology, then this is the job for you!

Responsibilities

• Lead the effort to design, develop, and document RF board level hardware from concept through to production.
• Lead hardware product development activities.
• Perform schematic capture, netlist generation, BOM generation and circuit board layout.
• Perform lab testing (DVT, HVT and SVT) and troubleshooting as needed.
• Take a collaborative design and validation approach in working with multi-functional team of PCB, hardware, mechanical, firmware, software, system test, production test and mechanical engineers.
• Participate in sustaining engineering activities, including modifying and enhancing existing designs.
• Lead system-level design meetings in order to address design issues early in the product development process.
• Provide training and support as required to manufacturing and test staff.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Professional Qualities:

• Has a ‘can do’ attitude - willing to dive into and take ownership of critical design issues.
• Eager to work in a fast paced development environment.
• Must be able to analyze and solve technical problems.
• Must be able to look under the hood to appreciate the low level functionality of the tools.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be self-motivated.
• Completes tasks in a timely manner.
• Communicates effectively on a technical level.
• Can work under pressure in high visibility situations.
• Flexible - able to quickly adapt to changing conditions and make decisions based on incomplete data.
• While we emphasis the ability to work in a team, the candidate must also be effective as a single contributor as the situation warrants.
• Willing to take direction and follow formal design process.

Experience:

• Over 10 years of experience in RF/Analog design.
• Experience as the technical lead for engineering teams.
• Proven results of having contributed to entire product development life cycle.
• Extensive knowledge of the following: PLL, VCO, Modulator, Demodulator, amplifiers, Op Amp, logic gates, power supplies.
• Expert in transmission line physics, S parameters, distortion, noise figure, modulation, efficiency, stability and other RF performance criteria.
• Experience in SPICE design and the associated tools
• Experience in methods to reduce power supply switching noise.
• Experience with schematic capture software, preferably Mentor Graphic’s DXD.
• Knowledge of signal integrity and EMI/EMC issues.
• Practical experience in hardware debug - use of test equipment (DSO, Spectrum Analyzer, Waveform Generator, FRA, etc.).
• Appreciation for DFx (design for cost, test, manufacturing).
• Experience in hybrid RF/Digital PCB board layout.
• Working knowledge of volume production, process and quality; RMAs, Functional Test Fixtures
• Familiarity with electronics manufacturing process.
• Familiarity with IP Networking protocols and standards.
• Experience in communications background - satellite or wireless preferred.
• Experience developing and maintaining comprehensive test plans.

Education: BS/MS/PhD in Electronic, Communications Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics - MS/PhD preferred

Clearance: Active DoD Clearance preferred; or must be eligible to obtain clearance