Senior Principal RF Engineer

Company Overview
Metrea is a defense company dedicated to translating commercial innovation into solutions for the hardest problems in national security. With deep mission expertise, Metrea focuses on delivering effects-as-a-service across domains. Metrea Management consists of three core capability groups (Air & Space, Electromagnetic & Cyber, Digital & Synthetic) and five support capability groups (Operations, Finance, Legal, Strategy and Solutions), that guide the development of specific capabilities that Metrea’s files (product, projects, programs etc.) leverage to achieve their targets.  

Capability Unit 

Metrea Advanced Signals (MAS) specializes in developing and building systems for communications and RF sensing. You will be hired into this group and assigned to the Space Concepts Lab which specializes in research and development of advanced space concepts that support the larger Metrea enterprise.

Position Summary 

We are seeking a Senior Principal RF Engineer to drive the design, development, testing, and debugging of advanced RF systems. This role requires a proven leader with deep technical expertise in RF engineering and a track record of guiding projects from initial prototype through full-rate production. The ideal candidate will work both independently and as a team leader, demonstrating hands-on proficiency while mentoring junior engineers and setting a high standard for design and development practices.

As a Senior Principal RF Engineer, you will lead cross-functional team, collaborating closely with hardware, software, and manufacturing groups, to resolve complex system issues and ensure that all RF products meet rigorous performance, reliability, and compliance standards. You will participate in design reviews, contribute to process improvements, and serve as a key technical advisor by implementing best practices in RF design and development. Additionally, you will be responsible for presenting technical solutions and project updates to customers and stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and building trusted relationships across the enterprise.

This high-impact role offers the opportunity to shape the future of RF product development in a dynamic environment, mentor a growing team of engineers, and lead innovative projects that push the boundaries of RF technology.

Role and Responsibilities 

• Design, develop, test, and debug complex RF systems and components
• Work independently or lead a team to design, implement, and resolve RF system challenges
• Lead cross-functional teams in the development of new products, taking them from prototype to full-rate production
• Collaborate with hardware, software, systems, and manufacturing teams to resolve major product issues
• Drive process improvements, enhancing design efficiency, product quality, and manufacturability
• Present technical solutions to customers and stakeholders, articulating complex RF concepts effectively
• Ensure compliance with industry standards for space-rated RF systems and safety/regulatory requirements

Required Skills and Experience 

• Bachelor’s, Master’s in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years’ experience in RF hardware development.
• Strong grasp of RF including receivers, power amplifiers and antenna design concepts
• Ability to perform cascade analysis of RF transceiver systems.
• Experience with RF circuit design software such as ADS/MWO and schematic capture tools such as OrCAD or DxDesigner
• Strong proficiency in RF simulation and modeling tools (e.g., HFSS, ADS, CST, MATLAB)
• Ability to design general analog circuitry, power supplies and RF/Digital interfaces.
• Proficient at RF and high-speed PCB layout including material selection, EM simulation and shielding.
• Knowledge of modern communication systems concepts (RF, IF/IQ, time/frequency domains, modulation).
• Must be able to work with multiple engineering disciplines, communicate effectively with customers, business development staff, program and project management staff, manufacturing engineering, production, field support, and training staff.

 Desired Skills and Experience 

• Experience developing space-rated RF systems
• Familiarity with antenna-array systems or design
• Basic proficiency using Software Defined Radios, collecting and analyzing IQ samples

Our Culture 

Metrea’s single core value “rooted in humility” is supported by four key attributes; entrepreneurial, systematic, discerning & over-deliver which combined; form our Teammate Firmware, our culture. These attributes are explored during the hiring process, when we grow our teams and to co