Senior Scientist, Electrical Engineering (Phased Array RF Design Engineer)

Job Title: Senior Scientist, Electrical Engineering (Phased Array RF Design Engineer)

Job Code: 44092

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

Job Description:

The L3Harris Space Systems Sector is seeking an exceptional Phased Array RF Design Engineer to advance our customers’ complex missions in space. This pivotal role requires extensive expertise in Phased Array and RF hardware design during the early phases of capture and program execution. The Phased Array expert will champion Internal Research and Development (IRAD) projects, conduct technical trade studies, author innovative white papers, support business development pursuits, author detailed BOE proposals, lead new customer programs, and provide mentorship throughout the engineering organization. Success will be achieved through the utilization of a diverse array of advanced RF and Phased Array simulation tools to create innovative hardware solutions and ensure our commitment to design excellence.

The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in Phased Arrays and RF with an entrepreneurial approach, capable of collaborating with technical experts, business development, and senior leadership within a large engineering enterprise. Additionally, they will address customer and mission needs through technical analysis and strategic guidance while assessing technical risks, budget, and schedule commitments to build trust in the Space Systems Sector and L3Harris.

Essential Functions: 

• Lead complex RF and Phased Array development including research, detailed design, and analysis for exquisite space-qualified Phased Arrays.
• Drive multi-disciplinary engineering teams through early lifecycle milestones and reviews, including Capture / Pursuits, Technical Baselines (TBR), BOE Proposals, Program Startups, System Requirements (SRR), System Designs (SDR), and Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR).
• Champion Internal Research and Design (IRAD) initiatives and conduct technical trade studies to influence tactical and strategic decisions for senior leadership.
• Research industry trends to develop phased array and RF roadmaps, utilizing the latest innovative technologies to advance RF hardware capabilities while simultaneously reducing SWaP-C (size, weight, power and cost).
• Support customer pursuits for Phased Arrays with business development and support Basis of Estimates (BOE) Proposals to capture program awards while ensuring success in technical performance, cost, and schedule.
• Collaborate with customers, technical experts, and program leadership to align Phased Array and RF performance requirements with all stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership to fellow engineers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 15 years of prior relevant experience (Accredited course of study in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another relevant STEM field.). Graduate Degree and a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience. 
• Experience with Digital and Analog Phased Array design for multi-beam AESAs and ESAs.
• Experience with detailed design of Phased Array RF performance through RF Link Budget analysis, RF cascade analysis (gain, noise figure, linearity, noise power, etc.), Signal Analysis (Eb/No, BER vs. noise, receiver sensitivity), S-parameters, matching networks, filtering (bandwidth, types, implementations, etc.), nonlinear effects and their remedies (intermodulation, IP3, IP2, group delay variation, dynamic range), temperature effects, and isolation.
• Experience with RF performance characteristics of both passive and active components such as amplifiers, oscillators, attenuators, mixers, filters, splitters, couplers, phase shifters, VCOs, PLLs, etc.
• RF hardware design experience for electromagnetics in the RF spectrum, including VHF, UHF, and microwave applications in the L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka, and V bands.
• Advanced user of RF simulation and analysis tools including ADS, HFSS, SystemVue, MATLAB, and other ECAD design tools.

• Experience in an engineering leadership role, such as Integrated Product Team Lead (IPTL), Principal Investigator (PI), Chief Systems Engineer or Chief Engineer.
  
  

Preferred Additional Skills:

• TS/SCI Security Clearance highly preferred.
• MMIC or RFIC Design Experience preferred.
• RF Hybrid Multi Chip Module (MCM) experience integrating diverse RF components on a single substrate with precision ribbon wire interconnections.
• Advanced user of RF lab equipment including Network Analyzers, Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power Sensors, etc.
• Ability to troubleshoot RF systems, payloads, modules and complex RF issues down to the component level.
• Schematic and PCB layout experience using Xpedition or Cadence.
• Team leader experience, guiding a team of RF engineers across diverse projects to advance their career expertise. 
• MATLAB, Python, or similar programming experience for RF design and data analysis.

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