Senior Principal Radar RF Systems Engineer

Join Kyocera International, Inc.
We’re hiring a Senior Principal Radar RF Systems Engineer at our San Diego facility!

Salary Range: $214,000 - 340,000 annually
(Final offer based on experience, education, skills, and market factors)

Why Kyocera?
With nearly 80,000 employees worldwide, Kyocera is a global leader in advanced ceramic technologies used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries. Our materials power everything from smartphones to space shuttles — and we’re just getting started.

What Makes Us Stand Out?
We don’t just offer jobs — we offer careers with purpose, stability, and growth. Here’s what you can expect:

Generous Time Off

• 3 weeks of vacation to start (120 hours/year)
• 10 paid holidays annually

Financial Wellness

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer-paid pension plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Investing in You

• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Flexible schedules

Work-Life Balance & Culture

• Onsite gyms, walking tracks, and employee gardens at larger locations
• Long-tenured team (many with 30 years of service!)
• Inclusive and diverse workforce
• A company philosophy rooted in doing the right thing as a human being

Our Philosophy
Kyocera’s culture is deeply inspired by our founder, Dr. Kazuo Inamori. His values guide our decisions and shape our workplace. Learn more about our guiding principles here:

Kyocera Values

Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply today and become part of a team that’s shaping the future — one innovation at a time.

KRFE5486 Senior Principal Radar RF Systems Engineer

Exempt: Yes

Safety Sensitive: No

The Senior Principal Radar Systems Engineer, will lead the architecture, design, RFIC specification derivation and validation of advanced phased‑array radar systems enabled by highly integrated RFIC‑based PAAM solutions. Will play a central technical leadership role in developing specifications for next‑generation FMCW and phase‑coded pulsed radar systems for demanding sensing applications, working closely with customers and internal cross‑functional teams.

Will collaborate with RFIC designers, antenna and array engineers, modem and signal‑processing architects, firmware/software teams, and system validation teams to translate mission‑level sensing requirements into robust, manufacturable radar solutions.

This role requires deep expertise in radar theory, RF impairments, waveform design, array calibration, and end‑to‑end system performance trade‑offs, as well as the ability to operate at both architectural and implementation levels.

Key Responsibilities:

Radar System Architecture & Design

• Lead the analysis of end‑to‑end radar system architecture, including waveforms, RFIC/PAAM partitioning, beamforming strategy, synchronization, and signal‑processing flow.
• Design and analyze monostatic and multistatic radar architectures, including distributed and networked sensing configurations.
• Perform detailed system trade studies across FMCW, phase‑coded pulsed (e.g., BPSK), OFDM‑based, and hybrid waveforms, optimizing for detection, resolution, false alarm rate, and robustness in cluttered environments.
• Define system‑level KPIs (range, velocity, angular resolution, sensitivity, dynamic range, detection probability) and ensure traceability to RFIC and algorithm requirements.

Link Budget, Performance & Impairment Analysis

• Develop comprehensive radar link budgets using MATLAB, Simulink, Python, C/C , and spreadsheet‑based analysis.
• Model and analyze the impact of RFIC non‑idealities, including:
• Synthesizer phase noise and spurs
• Chirp linearity and timing jitter
• Tx/Rx nonlinearity and compression
• ADC/DAC quantization, jitter, and bandwidth limits
• I/Q imbalance, DC offsets, isolation, and leakage
• Evaluate system performance under clutter, multipath, interference, mutual coupling, and hostile RF environments, and propose mitigation strategies.

RFIC, PAAM & Hardware Specification

• Derive detailed RFIC, synthesizer, PAAM, ADC/DAC, and digital processing specifications from system‑level requirements.
• Work closely with IC design teams to ensure feasibility, margin, and scalability across process, voltage, temperature, and operating conditions.
• Guide architectural decisions related to calibration loops, phase coherency, TDD reciprocity, array synchronization, and thermal effects.

Signal Processing & Algorithms

• Define and guide implementation of radar signal‑processing chains, including:
• Range/Doppler/angle processing
• Coherent integration and pulse compression
• Detection and CFAR techniques
• Target classification and tracking
• Collaborate with algorithm and software teams to balance performance, latency, power, and hardware constraints.

Test, Validation & Field Deployment

• Define system‑level verification and validation plans, including lab, chamber, and field testing.
• Analyze measurement data, correlate with models, and drive root‑cause analysis for performance gaps.
• Support customer demonstrations, trials, and technical reviews.

Technical Leadership & Customer Engagement

• Serve as a technical authority for radar systems within the organization.
• Interface directly with customers to understand requirements, explain system trade‑offs, and support solution definition.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices, design guidelines, and internal technical documentation.
• Track relevant developments in radar, sensing, and integrated sensing‑communications, and influence internal technology roadmaps.

Requirements:

Education & Experience

• PhD or MS in Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a strong focus on systems and signal processing.
• 10 years of industry experience in advanced radar system design, architecture, or development.
• Demonstrated experience owning system‑level performance and architecture, not just component design.

Core Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of:
• FMCW and phase‑coded pulsed radar systems
• Beamforming and phased‑array antennas
• Radar detection theory, estimation, and tracking
• RF system impairments and their impact on sensing performance
• Proven experience with end‑to‑end radar simulation and modeling.
• Strong hands‑on experience with MATLAB/Simulink; proficiency in Python and/or C/C .

Additional Highly Desirable Skills (Senior‑Level Expectations)

• Experience with high‑dynamics or high‑stress operational environments (e.g., high acceleration, vibration, thermal extremes).
• Familiarity with distributed, multistatic, or networked sensing systems.
• Understanding of array calibration, phase alignment, and long‑term coherency maintenance.
• Exposure to radar programs, customers, or regulatory environments.
• Familiarity with 5G NR positioning, pre‑6G ISAC, or JCAS concepts.

Leadership & Communication

• Demonstrated ability to lead technically, influence architecture decisions, and mentor engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit; occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and depth perception.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. The duties and responsibilities of this position are subject to change and other duties may be assigned or removed at any time.  This position may require exposure to information subject to US Export Control regulations, i.e.: the International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be US persons within the meaning of US regulations.

Kyocera International, Inc. values diversity in its workforce, and is proud to be an AAP/EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Kyocera International, Inc. Human Resources team directly.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Salary : $214,000 - $340,000