R&D RFIC Design Engineer, Hybrid

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute to a highly motivated team focused on delivering qualified electronic components to a national security mission? The Advanced RF ICs and Microsystems department (5255) seeks an R&D Microwave and Sensor Engineer to design, fabricate, test, qualify, and deliver custom-designed microwave components. These components enable military communication systems, SAR imaging, doppler radar, and tagging, tracking, and locating hardware.

Our team seeks a driven RF engineer capable of fundamental electromagnetic modeling, transistor-level circuit simulation, and distributed element microwave PCB design. It is also important for the candidate to understand electronic die characterization, RF test equipment, solder assembly, PCB development, and fabrication.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Use circuit modeling tools to design analog or RF integrated circuit components for transceivers.
• Use circuit and electromagnetic modeling tools to design high sensitivity radio frequency components.
• Run Monte Carlo simulations over voltage, temperature, and process corners
• Model active circuit components: AC, Transient, Harmonic Balance, EM
• Characterize RF components and modules over extreme environmental stresses.
• Troubleshoot analog or RF circuits in a modern, well-equipped electronics lab
• Use of electronic equipment to measure slew rate, gain, stability, phase noise, jitter, s-parameters, power output, P1dB, PSat, noise figure, modulation quality (EVM), or sensitivity.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with technologists and engineers to test and characterize new devices in a variety of technology nodes/processes.
• Team to design, prototype, analyze, and evaluate microsystems that achieve increased performances.
• Communicate results and findings to co-workers and potential customers.
• Identify, develop, and pursue new technology opportunities in areas that support Sandia mission activities.
• Contribute to several areas ranging from fundamental semiconductor devices, through circuit and components, and up to sub-system architecture.

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

$99,400 - $193,600

* Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

The ideal R&D Microwave & Sensor Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Experience with nano- or micro-scale, semiconductor device technologies.
• RF or high-speed integrated circuit design using Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsis, or Siemens products.
• Use of RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, pulsed signal generators, oscilloscopes, and precision power supplies.
• Electrical test and measure practices to protect…