Demo

Director of Engineering

Kratos Defense
Folsom, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/13/2026
Job Description:

Shift: First Shift,Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri


GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

Manages a variety of Engineering functions including drafting, RF design, document control and/or similar engineering support activities. Ensures the timely, thorough, and accurate completion of all Engineering projects. Oversees the preparation of new and modified designs. Ensures documentation packages are complete. Maintains part and project number assignments, drawing reproduction, and customer documentation. Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Lead an RF & Microwave Design Engineering team in the design and development of frequency converters, synthesized frequency sources, solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs), Direct-RF converters, and complex multi-function assemblies (MFAs) for aerospace and defense applications. Products will include frequency converters, synthesizers, Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs), switched filter banks, tunable filters, and integrated transmit/receive (T/R) assemblies.
  • Manage personnel development, new business bids & proposals, and the successful design, development, and production release / transition to production of new products.
  • Manage employee development & operational improvements of the RF, Microwave, & Mixed Signal design group in support of company goals & objectives. Participate in recruiting & team development.
  • Technical responsibilities include leading the design of RF architectures and systems using chain analysis and frequency planning tools such as VSS.
  • Design of RF components using MWO, CST, HFSS, Sonnet, SPICE, etc.
  • Evaluation and selection of devices that are suitable for the applications & operating environment, meeting customer requirements. This includes the design and selection of LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, frequency multipliers, isolators, couplers, phase locked oscillator, and synthesizers.
  • Perform trade studies for noise figure, power compression, linearity, and isolation.
  • Perform hardware layout, component evaluation, prototype construction, and test.
  • Prepare test methods and specifications, analyze and test hardware to verify performance.
  • Lead both internal and external PDR, CDR, and MRR design reviews, generating and delivering presentations to our internal leadership team and to customers.
  • Provide guidance on technology trends and help drive innovation to maintain our leading edge technical capabilities relative to competitors.

Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has supervisory responsibilities.
Experience and Skills:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
  • Extensive experience with devices, circuitry, and systems operating at RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
  • Ability to design circuitry for high frequency receivers, transmitters, and signal generation. Experience with design tools such as MWO, ADS, CST, HFSS, Sonnet, SPICE, & Altium.
  • Knowledge of signal routing, mechanical layout, and packaging technologies for devices and subassemblies.
  • Ability to conceptualize initial component and system designs with block diagrams and cascade analyses.
  • Ability to lead project team execution of assembly, test, debug, and optimization.
  • Ability to organize results for design reviews and customer presentations.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with excellent verbal, written, & presentation skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Requires a minimum of 15 years of directly relevant experience in the RF & Microwave industry at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies with a Bachelor's or Master's degree or equivalent experience.
  • Experience with Mixed Signal & Direct-RF / Direct-to-Digital products a plus.
  • Previous experience managing & developing technical employees.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to find creative and innovative solutions.
  • Strong lab skills using test equipment, and ability to tune and align circuitry.
  • Must be proficient with RF design software such as Cadence/AWR's Microwave Office and/or ADS.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Office and/or manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to travel 15-20% for customer meetings and cross-site collaboration.
  • Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time.
  • Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, mouse, phones, use tools/equipment).

Travel Requirements: Yes, as required.

#LI-BI1Kratos
Base Annual Salary Range: $200,000.00 - $240,000.00
Job Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement


Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.



From: Kratos Defense

Salary : $200,000 - $240,000

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