Senior Electrical Engineer – Radio Frequency (RF) Systems Job at Mvp VC in Austi
Mvp VC, Austin, TX, United States, 78716
Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing defense autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations for the Department of Defense (DoD) through autonomous and intelligent platforms.
Position Overview
Saronic Technologies is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in Radio Frequency (RF) systems to join our Electrical Engineering – Advanced Development group. This role will focus on the research, evaluation, and integration of RF communications and sensing technologies - including radio transceivers, radar systems, antennas, and related electronics - supporting autonomous vessel networks and situational awareness.
The ideal candidate has extensive experience in RF system design, testing, and benchmarking, with a strong foundation in wireless communications, spectrum management, and signal propagation in marine environments. This is a technically demanding, research-focused position with opportunities to influence system architecture and future platform capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead R&D efforts in RF communications, radar, and electronic sensing technologies for autonomous surface vessels.
- Evaluate and benchmark RF hardware and subsystems, including radios, antennas, and signal processing modules across multiple frequency bands (VHF/UHF, L/S/C/X bands).
- Conduct trade studies and comparative analyses of commercial and military-grade RF solutions to inform system selection and integration strategies.
- Design, prototype, and test RF systems and supporting electrical architectures, including cabling, shielding, and power interfaces.
- Model and analyze RF propagation and link performance in maritime and littoral environments.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with autonomy, software, and mechanical teams to ensure seamless integration of communication and sensing systems.
- Develop test procedures, perform validation trials, and analyze system performance under operational and environmental conditions.
- Author detailed R&D documentation, including technical reports, design specifications, and performance evaluations.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to Saronic’s RF technology roadmap and internal knowledge base.
- Support field testing and vessel trials, including setup and troubleshooting of communication and radar systems.
Required Qualifications
- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related discipline.
- 7+ years of professional experience in RF system design, testing, and integration -preferably in maritime, automotive, aerospace, or defense applications.
- Deep understanding of RF theory, antenna design, and signal propagation, including real-world marine effects (multipath, reflection, attenuation).
- Hands‑on experience with RF instrumentation (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters, etc.).
- Proven ability to conduct trade studies and technology benchmarking for RF components and systems.
- Familiarity with communications protocols such as Ethernet, CAN, and serial interfaces, and with wireless standards (LTE, SATCOM, mesh networking).
- Strong documentation and communication skills; able to translate test results into actionable design insights.
- Ability to work effectively in both lab and field test environments (dockside, at‑sea, and range conditions).
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Occasional standing and walking within the office.
- Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
- Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports.
- Occasional reaching, bending