RF Design Engineer - Aviation

Develop and execute laboratory tests using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related equipment; correlate measured results with analytical and simulation predictions. Design and develop RF receivers, transmitters, power amplifiers, filters, matching networks, frequency conversion circuits, and associated circuitry using discrete components and RF modules.

Overview

We are seeking a full-time RF Design Engineer - Aviation at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area. In this role, you will design and develop RF circuits and subsystems from UHF through X-band using discrete components and RF modules. We are seeking an experienced professional with strong analytical, simulation, and test capabilities to deliver safe, reliable, long-lasting performance in safety-critical aviation products.

Essential Functions

• Design and develop RF receivers, transmitters, power amplifiers, filters, matching networks, frequency conversion circuits, and associated circuitry using discrete components and RF modules.
• Translate product requirements into RF architectures, circuit specifications, performance budgets, and verification plans.
• Analyze small-signal and large-signal performance, including gain, noise figure, sensitivity, dynamic range, linearity, compression, efficiency, phase noise, and spurious responses.
• Design impedance-matching and filter networks using Smith charts, lumped components, and transmission-line structures, accounting for bandwidth, Q, losses, parasitics, and component tolerances.
• Design receiver chains with appropriate gain distribution and filtering to manage noise, interference, images, mixing products, and nonlinear effects.
• Design power amplifiers using appropriate operating classes, bias conditions, load pull, and matching structures to achieve required output power, linearity, efficiency, and thermal performance.
• Use circuit simulation, parametric analysis, and 2.5D/3D electromagnetic simulation as appropriate to predict performance and guide schematic and PCB layout decisions.
• Select and evaluate components and RF modules for electrical performance, design margin, reliability, manufacturability, and long-term availability.
• Develop and execute laboratory tests using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, and related equipment; correlate measured results with analytical and simulation predictions.
• Diagnose RF performance problems, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions, accounting for measurement limitations, fixture effects, and de-embedding.
• Verify performance across operating conditions, component variation, temperature, and applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers through design reviews, prototype development, qualification, and production support.
• Document design rationale, analyses, simulation results, and verification evidence to support product certification and long-term maintenance.
• Communicate clearly, fulfill commitments, and apply sound engineering judgment and an appropriate sense of urgency.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field AND a minimum of 2 years of industry experience designing RF circuits or subsystems, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Excellent academics, with a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule.
• Demonstrated ability to develop RF circuits using discrete components and RF modules, supported by analysis, simulation, prototyping, and measured verification.
• Strong understanding of impedance, Smith charts, matching networks, transmission lines, reflections, VSWR, and lumped versus distributed circuit techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of receiver design, including noise figure and cascaded noise analysis, SNR, noise power and density, gain distribution, filtering, IIP3, frequency conversion, images, mixing spurs, and phase noise.
• Demonstrated understanding of RF power amplifier design, including power and gain matching, operating class, conduction angle, load pull, linearity, efficiency, and thermal considerations.Ability to select appropriate design and measurement techniques as frequency, bandwidth, signal level, and wavelength change, including their effects on PCB layout, parasitics, coupling, and link budgets.
• Working knowledge of amplitude, phase, frequency, and pulse modulation; real and complex baseband signals; and their implications for receiver and transmitter design, bandwidth, dynamic range, and timing.
• Proficiency with schematic capture, PCB layout review, circuit simulation, and RF laboratory equipment, including S-parameter measurement and interpretation, the limits of small-signal models, de-embedding, and phase noise measurements.
• Demonstrated ability to identify root causes, resolve differences between predicted and measured performance, and document effective solutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of design impacts on manufacturability, reliability, and sustained product performance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing RF circuitry for aviation or other safety-critical products.
• Experience with RF designs across multiple frequency bands from UHF through X-band.
• Experience with pulse compression, correlation, and bandwidth, dynamic range, and time-resolution tradeoffs.
• Experience using IBIS models to evaluate digital interfaces and their effects on RF circuit performance.

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.

This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits