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Lead RF Engineer
ZipRecruiter - Rochester, New York, United States
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Overview
Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary: $100,000-$160,000
The Opportunity:
We are looking for a technically strong, versatile, and well-rounded RF Engineer to support the design, development, and integration of advanced electronic systems. The lead RF Engineer will design, analyze, and test RF subsystems, including interfaces to agile transceivers and software-defined receivers, while also contributing significantly to general electrical design work, such as analog, digital, and power circuitry. This role combines design and test responsibilities with broader electrical engineering tasks, including electrical schematic design, PCB layout review, hardware validation, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate brings a solid foundation in RF engineering and is comfortable in stepping into general hardware development activities. This engineer will work across the full hardware development lifecycle: from concept, schematic capture, and layout review to hardware integration and system validation. This engineer will also serve as a mentor to junior team members, fostering engineering growth and design excellence across disciplines. Our Technology:
Were the world leader inResilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (R-PNT)solutions that improve the reliability, performance, and safety of critical high-risk operations, even in GPS/GNSS denied environments. We provide virtually fail-safe GNSS and PNT solutions for military, defense contractors, and commercial applications worldwide. How I will Contribute:
Develop and review RF PCB layout constraints, grounding schemes, and stackups for optimal signal integrity and EMI performance. Design, simulate, and validate RF circuits including matching networks, filters, amplifiers, and interfaces to agile or software-defined transceivers. Support system-level analysis for RF performance, including impedance matching, isolation, noise figure, and signal chain integrity. Perform RF testing, tuning, and validation using lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators. Guide and review RF-specific PCB layout, including stack-up definition, grounding strategies, and layout partitioning. Design and review non-RF circuits, including analog signal paths, power distribution, and digital logic interfaces. Collaborate on schematic capture, PCB layout, and component selection ensuring best practices for both RF and mixed-signal performance. Support hardware bring-up, validation, and troubleshooting across multiple subsystems. Participate in design reviews and contribute to architecture and integration discussions across electrical, mechanical, FPGA, and software teams. Develop and maintain internal design practices and documentation related to RF and board-level development. Provide mentorship to junior engineers, helping grow team expertise in RF fundamentals, hardware design workflows, and debugging techniques. Conduct PCB layout assessments and reviews to ensure proper component placement, manufacturability, thermal management, and electrical performance Support system-level test and validation, working across disciplines to ensure functionality and design margin. Contribute to the development and refinement of internal design standards and engineering documentation. What You Bring to Safran Federal Systems:
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, or related field is required. 6+ years of experience in RF and electrical hardware design and validation. Proficiency in RF test and debug techniques, with strong hands-on lab skills Hands-on experience designing and testing
RF subsystems , including integration with agile transceivers Proficiency in PCB layout design tools (E.g., Cadence Allegro, Mentor Graphics Xpedition, Altium, or equivalent) Experience interfacing with agile or software-defined transceivers, including signal path design and testing. Proven capabilities in general electrical circuit design, including analog, digital, and power electronics. Strong understanding of PCB layout best practices, including high-speed design, EMI/EMC considerations, thermal management and manufacturability Deep understanding of electronic components and mechanical parts used in complex systems Proficiency with lab tools such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and RF signal generators. Experience with high-frequency design and mixed-signal PCB layout. Prior work in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability hardware environments. Proven ability to work across engineering domains and mentor less experienced engineers. Strong understanding of RF fundamentals: impedance matching, transmission lines, filtering, and system-level RF considerations Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. The ability to remain poised under all circumstances, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust. Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing The ability to obtain security clearance is . Ability to interact appropriately with a variety of individuals including customers/clients. The person in this position needs to have the ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. Strong knowledge of electrical design principles. A thorough understanding of component parameters and the ideal and non-ideal properties of components. The ability to have fun and work with an amazing team! About Safran Federal Systems: Safran Federal Systems has been awarded as aWinner of the USA Today and Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2025 Award.
In 2022, Safran acquired Orolia, now Safran Trusted 4D, the world leader in Resilient PNT. At the intersection of critical infrastructure and defense, Safran Trusted 4D solutions govern and protect the integrity of systems that shape the world. In early 2019, Orolia Defense & Security spun off as a separate entity from its parent company Orolia, with the mission of providing resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Defense organizations, and their contractors. In August of 2019, Orolia Defense & Security acquired Talen-X, a U.S. company specializing in advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Simulation solutions and Interference, Detection, and Mitigation (IDM) technologies. Talen-X's portfolio was an ideal fit and has helped to enhance Safran FS's overall offerings. The acquisition enabled Talen-X's existing resources, operations, and capabilities to be scaled and accelerated to better support the warfighter. Read the press releasehere. Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). As such, Safran FS Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to , , , , , , , , or status as a protected veteran. Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
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The Opportunity:
We are looking for a technically strong, versatile, and well-rounded RF Engineer to support the design, development, and integration of advanced electronic systems. The lead RF Engineer will design, analyze, and test RF subsystems, including interfaces to agile transceivers and software-defined receivers, while also contributing significantly to general electrical design work, such as analog, digital, and power circuitry. This role combines design and test responsibilities with broader electrical engineering tasks, including electrical schematic design, PCB layout review, hardware validation, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate brings a solid foundation in RF engineering and is comfortable in stepping into general hardware development activities. This engineer will work across the full hardware development lifecycle: from concept, schematic capture, and layout review to hardware integration and system validation. This engineer will also serve as a mentor to junior team members, fostering engineering growth and design excellence across disciplines. Our Technology:
Were the world leader inResilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (R-PNT)solutions that improve the reliability, performance, and safety of critical high-risk operations, even in GPS/GNSS denied environments. We provide virtually fail-safe GNSS and PNT solutions for military, defense contractors, and commercial applications worldwide. How I will Contribute:
Develop and review RF PCB layout constraints, grounding schemes, and stackups for optimal signal integrity and EMI performance. Design, simulate, and validate RF circuits including matching networks, filters, amplifiers, and interfaces to agile or software-defined transceivers. Support system-level analysis for RF performance, including impedance matching, isolation, noise figure, and signal chain integrity. Perform RF testing, tuning, and validation using lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators. Guide and review RF-specific PCB layout, including stack-up definition, grounding strategies, and layout partitioning. Design and review non-RF circuits, including analog signal paths, power distribution, and digital logic interfaces. Collaborate on schematic capture, PCB layout, and component selection ensuring best practices for both RF and mixed-signal performance. Support hardware bring-up, validation, and troubleshooting across multiple subsystems. Participate in design reviews and contribute to architecture and integration discussions across electrical, mechanical, FPGA, and software teams. Develop and maintain internal design practices and documentation related to RF and board-level development. Provide mentorship to junior engineers, helping grow team expertise in RF fundamentals, hardware design workflows, and debugging techniques. Conduct PCB layout assessments and reviews to ensure proper component placement, manufacturability, thermal management, and electrical performance Support system-level test and validation, working across disciplines to ensure functionality and design margin. Contribute to the development and refinement of internal design standards and engineering documentation. What You Bring to Safran Federal Systems:
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, or related field is required. 6+ years of experience in RF and electrical hardware design and validation. Proficiency in RF test and debug techniques, with strong hands-on lab skills Hands-on experience designing and testing
RF subsystems , including integration with agile transceivers Proficiency in PCB layout design tools (E.g., Cadence Allegro, Mentor Graphics Xpedition, Altium, or equivalent) Experience interfacing with agile or software-defined transceivers, including signal path design and testing. Proven capabilities in general electrical circuit design, including analog, digital, and power electronics. Strong understanding of PCB layout best practices, including high-speed design, EMI/EMC considerations, thermal management and manufacturability Deep understanding of electronic components and mechanical parts used in complex systems Proficiency with lab tools such as VNAs, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and RF signal generators. Experience with high-frequency design and mixed-signal PCB layout. Prior work in defense, aerospace, or other high-reliability hardware environments. Proven ability to work across engineering domains and mentor less experienced engineers. Strong understanding of RF fundamentals: impedance matching, transmission lines, filtering, and system-level RF considerations Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and suppliers The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. The ability to remain poised under all circumstances, and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that engenders confidence and trust. Ability to reason logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative and diverse perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing The ability to obtain security clearance is . Ability to interact appropriately with a variety of individuals including customers/clients. The person in this position needs to have the ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. Strong knowledge of electrical design principles. A thorough understanding of component parameters and the ideal and non-ideal properties of components. The ability to have fun and work with an amazing team! About Safran Federal Systems: Safran Federal Systems has been awarded as aWinner of the USA Today and Rochester Metro Area Top Workplaces 2025 Award.
In 2022, Safran acquired Orolia, now Safran Trusted 4D, the world leader in Resilient PNT. At the intersection of critical infrastructure and defense, Safran Trusted 4D solutions govern and protect the integrity of systems that shape the world. In early 2019, Orolia Defense & Security spun off as a separate entity from its parent company Orolia, with the mission of providing resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions and custom engineering services to U.S. Government agencies, U.S. Defense organizations, and their contractors. In August of 2019, Orolia Defense & Security acquired Talen-X, a U.S. company specializing in advanced GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Simulation solutions and Interference, Detection, and Mitigation (IDM) technologies. Talen-X's portfolio was an ideal fit and has helped to enhance Safran FS's overall offerings. The acquisition enabled Talen-X's existing resources, operations, and capabilities to be scaled and accelerated to better support the warfighter. Read the press releasehere. Safran Federal Systems operates as a proxy-regulated company, Free of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). As such, Safran FS Defense & Security is approved to work on the full spectrum of U.S. Government classified and unclassified projects and is positioned to support strategic partnerships in the development of key PNT technologies for the defense market. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to , , , , , , , , or status as a protected veteran. Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
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