Job Description

Principal RF Communications Hardware Specialist at Raytheon summary:

The Principal RF Communications Hardware Specialist leads the design, development, and testing of advanced RF data link systems for defense applications, including Line of Sight (LOS), Non-Line of Sight (NLOS), and satellite communications. They perform architecture trade studies, prototype communication models, and validate system performance in lab and field environments while providing technical expertise to internal teams and external customers. This role requires deep knowledge of RF communications, digital signal processing, and hardware integration to drive innovation in secure, high-capacity wireless communication systems.

Date Posted:

2025-09-08

Country:

United States of America

Location:

AZ852: RMS AP Bldg M02 1151 East Hermans Road Building M02, Tucson, AZ, 85756 USA

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance:

DoD Clearance: Secret

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Effector RF Products is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal RF Data Link Engineer to join our team. We specialize in defining, designing, and implementing cutting-edge wireless communication and data link systems for the most challenging environments. This role offers the opportunity to oversee efforts on a new and exciting defense program, encompassing architecture development, trade studies, hardware selection, integration, and testing of one of multiple communication systems, including Line of Sight, Non Line of Sight, and Satellite.

As part of the Data Link Subsystems team within the Effector RF Products department, you will contribute to the development of high-capacity, covert, and agile data links that drive the next generation of advanced systems.

What You Will Do:

• Perform architecture trade studies, hardware selection, and link budget analyses for a fast-paced defense program.
• Perform hardware and software communication architecture trade studies.
• Develop, prototype, and test data link models and communication signal processing algorithms in detailed high-fidelity simulations, supporting hardware implementation.
• Test, verify, and validate requirements and performance in laboratory or field test environments.
• Provide subject matter expertise by organizing and participating in project design reviews, peer reviews, and briefings to internal leadership and external customers at all phases of development tasks.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Typically requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of eight (8) years of prior relevant experience to include any combination of the following:
  • Programming and/or simulations in MATLAB, SIMULINK, C/C++, or equivalent language.
  • Experience in communication theory, digital signal processing, probability theory, stochastic signal processing, and/or RF and electromagnetic theory.
  • Experience defining communication system architectures.
  • Design and integration of Directional/Line-of-Sight (LOS), Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS), or satellite communication systems, including supplier management of radio hardware.
  • Integration and testing of systems with communication radios/data link hardware.

Qualifications We Prefer:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on digital communications, communication systems design, data link hardware development, and/or waveform algorithm development.
• Expertise in waveform simulations using modulation schemes such as PSK, FSK, OFDM, or QAM.
• Familiarity with RF concepts such as phase noise, multipath, and Doppler effects.
• Experience with link budget and propagation modeling for end-to-end system evaluation.
• Strong understanding of RF transceiver and front-end design, along with common tradeoffs in RF designs for communication systems.
• Knowledge of antenna design parameters and wireless fading model simulations.
• Experience with fixed-point algorithm simulations for VHDL verification.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to proactively identify alternate solutions to overcome technical challenges.
• Ability to prepare technical documentation and deliver presentations to program and customer leadership.
• Background in designing for manufacturability, producibility, and cost constraints.
• Project management skills, including cost and schedule management.
• Desire to support enterprise initiatives, such as technology roadmap development, and collaborate with teams across the organization.

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Learn More & Apply Now!

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here:

The salary range for this role is 101,000 USD - 203,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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Keywords:

RF communications, data link systems, wireless communication, signal processing, hardware integration, digital communications, Line of Sight (LOS), Non-Line of Sight (NLOS), satellite communications, communication architecture

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Relocation, Flexible hours,

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