Senior Principal Engineer – Antenna Design Engineer

Job Description

This engineering position will report to the manager of RF Solutions, primarily support the Tactical Solutions business unit of BAE Systems SMS, and will have Radio Frequency (RF) engineering as its area of specialization with design and test of RF antennas, systems, and components as the focus.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Be responsible for the hands-on design and realization of individual antennas, phased array antennas, RF circuits, passive RF components, and RF systems.
  • Use computational electromagnetic analysis software to design and predict performance on various types of antennas and apertures (spiral, sinuous, Vivaldi, patch, slot, horn, etc.).
  • Design frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) for use with various radiating apertures.
  • Implement various design techniques (materials, shaping, etc.) for RCS mitigation where necessary.
  • Collaborate with other engineers and technicians to realize RF designs.
  • Participate and guide the testing of RF hardware for required performance metrics: VSWR, insertion loss, gain, polarization, radar cross section (RCS), etc.
• Antenna requirement evaluation, initial concept trade-off and development, in-house and customer presentations, travel, and technical proposal writing and cost/schedule estimating.
• Investigate new technologies and applications for radiating apertures, antennas, and RF systems.
• Mentor and guide more junior engineers and technicians in the design, build, and test phases of RF projects and programs.
• Provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems involving antenna/sensor-based applications such as electronic warfare, electronic attack, electronic support measures, communications, geolocation, direction finding, etc.
• Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts. Represents the organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.
• Interface well with other people at all levels including customers, use initiative in applying solutions to assignments.
• Provide technical input and support to proposals and new business opportunities.
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of presentations.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Requires full competency in core RF engineering and antenna theory and skills and general knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Solid communication skills.
• Experience and skills to effectively contribute to successful producibility of designs and to cost, budget, and schedule control.
• Experience with design of antennas and passive RF components (radiating elements, radomes, power dividers, couplers, transitions, multi-layer board designs, FSSs, etc.).
• Analytical design experience using software and simulation tools such as AWR Microwave Office/Agilent ADS, CST, FEKO, HFSS, and SENTRI.
• RF antenna testing experience utilizing network analyzers, PNAs, anechoic chambers, near-field ranges, etc.
• Experience and proficiency in programming, data manipulation, and data visualization in MATLAB and Python.
• Ability to schedule and execute measurements at internal and external facilities and perform measurement analysis and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to apply technical expertise in RF engineering and to leverage knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead RF efforts and tasks and to guide technical project teams toward the completion of program goals and milestones.

#LI-LB2

A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Familiarity with and exposure to military and tactical communication and data systems / architectures.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $130355 - $221603

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20 hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for the U.S. Intelligence, Department of Defense and scientific communities. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Multiple positions may be available on this opening.

Salary : $130,355 - $221,603