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Job Title: Scientist, Space Systems - RF Design, Frequency Conversion and LO Synthesis
Job Code: 24692

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL

Job Description:

The L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems segment is seeking an exceptional RF Engineer specializing in frequency conversion and LO synthesis to lead sophisticated RF/Microwave design activities, leveraging their extensive expertise in RF architecture to fulfill our customers’ complex missions. This pivotal role involves optimizing RF, IF and LO performance through research, design, development, and verification, while leading customer programs, advancing IRAD projects, conducting technical trade studies, authoring detailed proposals, and providing mentorship throughout the engineering organization. Success will be achieved through the utilization of a diverse array of advanced RF simulation tools and laboratory equipment to create innovative hardware solutions while ensuring our commitment to design excellence.

The ideal candidate should be a subject matter expert in RF design for frequency conversion and LO synthesis, with an entrepreneurial background, capable of collaborating with engineering technical experts, business development, and senior management. They will address customer and mission needs through technical analysis, presentations, white papers, proposals, and strategic guidance, while demonstrating strong communication and interpersonal skills within a large engineering enterprise and with external partners. Additionally, they will assess technical risks, the political climate, budget, and schedule limitations to build trust in the Space Systems sector and L3Harris.

Essential Functions: 

• Lead complex RF Design activities for frequency conversion and LO synthesis, including research, architecture, design, analysis, and verification, to advance the performance of RF system architecture, including RF payloads, modules and circuit card assemblies.
• Drive multi-discipline technical teams through all phases of program milestones (pursuit, proposals, SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, etc.).
• Research industry trends to develop roadmaps utilizing the latest technologies to increase RF, IF and LO hardware capabilitieswhile simultaneously reducing size, weight, power and cost.
• Lead Internal Research and Design (IRAD) initiatives and conduct technical trade studies to drive tactical and strategic decisions for program leadership.
• Generate white papers, proposals, and Basis of Estimates (BOEs), to ensure success in terms of technical performance, cost and schedule.
• Collaborate with customers and program leadership to align RF performance requirements with internal stakeholders.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and leadership to other engineers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 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 10 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior related experience. Experience with best practices for project engineering and program execution
• 12+ years of experience with RF design, frequency conversion, and LO synthesis including:
  • RF transmitter up-conversion and receiver down-conversion utilizing active and passive RF mixers, amplifiers, filters, attenuators, splitters, couplers, etc. for different frequency conversion techniques including superheterodyne and direct conversion (zero-IF).
  • Analysis for RF, IF and LO performance including conversion loss, noise figure, dynamic range, 1 dB compression, isolation, LO leakage, LO drive, group delay, I/Q imbalance, output spectrum purity (phase noise, RMS tracking jitter, mixing products, spurious emissions, intermodulation distortion (IMD), IP3, IP2), PLL tuning (loop stability,bandwidth, gain margin, phase margin), frequency agility and timing (lock time, settling time, transient response, damping behavior and steady-state phase error).
  • Local Oscillator (LO) synthesis with Phase-Locked Loops (PLL), Phase / Frequency Detectors (PFD), Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs), charge Pumps, crystal oscillators, Direct Digital Synthesizers (DDS), etc.
  • RF and LO stability analysis taking into account temperature, voltage, and mechanical drift to create a stable oscillator source.
  • Synchronization with 1 PPS and GPS Disciplining.
  • PLL and analog design tools including ADIsimPLL, LTSpice, TICSPRO-SW and PLLATINUMSIM-SW.
  • RF simulation and analysis tools including ADS, HFSS, SystemVue, MATLAB, and other ECAD design tools.
  • 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.
  • RF lab equipment including Network Analyzers, Signal/Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, RF Power Sensors, etc.
  • Troubleshooting RF issues down to the component level.
  • Schematic and PCB layout experience using Xpedition or Cadence
  • MATLAB or Python experience for data analysis. 

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Subject matter expert in multiple technical domains with an entrepreneurial background.
• TS/SCI Security Clearance preferred.
• Space-qualified hardware design for RF Payloads and Space Vehicles preferred.
• Atomic clock sources including Hydrogen, Cesium or Rubidium, as well as Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSAC) preferred.
• MMIC or RFIC Design Experience preferred.
• RF Hybrid Multi Chip Module experience integrating diverse RF components on a single substrate with precision ribbon wire interconnections.
• RF Link Budget analysis, RF cascade analysis and Signal Analysis (Eb/No, BER vs. noise, receiver sensitivity).
• Experience presenting to program leadership and external customers for design reviews, IRADs, trade studies, data analysis, etc.
• Team leader experience, guiding a team of RF engineers across diverse projects to advance their career expertise. 
• Experience in an Engineering leadership role, such as Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead or Chief Systems Engineer.

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Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

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