What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design/Development Engineer I position at Microwave Power Products (MPP)?
Hiring: Early Career RF/Microwave Engineer developing high-power vacuum electronic products from concept through production support
Location: On-site in Palo Alto, CA
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay: $75K to $95K
Microwave Power Products, Inc. (MPP), headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, MPP serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets by developing and manufacturing hardware used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals. As part of the TransDigm (TDG) family, MPP offers the agility of a technically deep manufacturing site backed by the scale and discipline of a global aerospace leader.
YOUR DAY TO DAY (Why this role is interesting)
If you like seeing your designs turn into real hardware, this role puts you right in the middle of it. You’ll work on high-power microwave and vacuum electronic devices that support communications, defense, medical, and scientific applications, partnering closely with manufacturing to take products from concept through production.
WHAT YOU'LL DO (Responsibilities)
You’ll own technical work that matters like solving real problems on hands-on products used in demanding environments.
Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements. For security clearance position, the candidate must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance as required, holding a security clearance is a plus.
WHY ENGINEERS CHOOSE MPP
We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to MPP, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. MPP is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.
MPP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Location: On-site in Palo Alto, CA
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay: $75K to $95K
Microwave Power Products, Inc. (MPP), headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, MPP serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets by developing and manufacturing hardware used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals. As part of the TransDigm (TDG) family, MPP offers the agility of a technically deep manufacturing site backed by the scale and discipline of a global aerospace leader.
YOUR DAY TO DAY (Why this role is interesting)
If you like seeing your designs turn into real hardware, this role puts you right in the middle of it. You’ll work on high-power microwave and vacuum electronic devices that support communications, defense, medical, and scientific applications, partnering closely with manufacturing to take products from concept through production.
WHAT YOU'LL DO (Responsibilities)
You’ll own technical work that matters like solving real problems on hands-on products used in demanding environments.
- Design, develop, test, and improve new and legacy power grid products, from development through production support
- Identify design issues, troubleshoot root causes, and implement corrective actions
- Track technical progress on assigned devices and systems to ensure issues are resolved efficiently
- Partner closely with manufacturing during pilot builds and first production runs, ensuring smooth transitions from engineering to the factory floor
- Support production as needed to maintain performance, yield, and reliability
- Stay current on relevant technologies and best practices in RF, vacuum electronics, materials, and manufacturing
- Contribute to proposals and technical concepts for new or improved products
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, Purchasing, Production Control, Marketing, Customer Service, and others to meet program and business goals
- Support other related engineering duties as assigned
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
- Ability to receive a DOD security clearance.
- Comfort managing projects or technical assignments with minimal supervision
- A practical understanding of engineering fundamentals, with exposure to areas such as:
- RF/microwave concepts
- Vacuum science or high-power electronics
- Materials, processes, and manufacturing principles
- A genuine passion for hands-on problem solving.
- Experience with (or willingness to learn) solid modeling tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across teams.
- A collaborative mindset, solid work ethic, and personal accountability for results.
Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements. For security clearance position, the candidate must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance as required, holding a security clearance is a plus.
WHY ENGINEERS CHOOSE MPP
- Work on high-impact, technically challenging products you won’t find everywhere
- Real ownership and visibility—your work doesn’t disappear into a black box.
- Close collaboration between engineering and manufacturing.
- Long-term stability with room to grow technically and professionally.
- Backed by TransDigm’s scale while maintaining a tight-knit, engineering-driven culture.
- Salary range: $75,000 to $95,000 annually depending on experience, with candidates possessing 1–2 years of applicable hands-on experience generally aligning toward the higher end of the range.
- Be part of a high-impact engineering team solving real-world technical challenges
- Grow into a Senior Engineer role with increasing leadership and ownership
- Work onsite in a collaborative lab and manufacturing environment where your work directly impacts production
- Contribute to the future of defense and aerospace technology
- Well-structured benefits package including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous 401(k) match
- Commuter benefits within the Stanford Research Park
- Complimentary EV charging
- Paid time off and holidays
- Training and opportunities for skill development and growth
We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to MPP, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. MPP is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.
MPP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Salary : $75,000 - $95,000