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Experienced Electrical Engineer - RF & Microwave Power Electronics

Starfire Industries

Starfire Industries

Other Engineering
Location unavailable
Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2023

​Experienced Electrical Engineer – RF & Microwave Power Electronics


​Starfire is seeking highly motivated persons to join our technical engineering team to support applied R&D across both product groups for RADION™ microwave plasma sources and nGen® & Centurion® particle accelerators. Both groups leverage solid-state RF and microwave power electronics to achieve their aims. We seek candidates with RF/microwave power electronics experience, e.g., high-voltage GaN microwave, component selection, RF circuit design & hardware layout, and BOM generation using to apply knowledge company-wide. Building on your base electrical engineering skill set with solid-state LDMOS, high-voltage GaN/SiC and electronics aptitude building RF drivetrains, we will provide job-specific training unique to our products and technologies. You will enjoy “hands-on” work and being part of an applied science team.

For experienced B.S. candidates, this position is eligible to earn an “on-the-job” Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) Degree through a professional program between Starfire and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Plasma Engineering or Electrical Engineering. If eligible and meeting requirements, Starfire will reimburse tuition costs for the M.Eng. while working 75% full time over a two-year period. The M.Eng. capstone project will be directly relevant to work at Starfire.
Job Summary:
​You will become a SME for RF module and integrated MW pallet design for Starfire product platforms. You are responsible for component selection, circuit layout, assembly, testing, debugging, and validation for RF/MW subsystems working closely with R&D for system-level prototype integration. Primary role Centurion® and support for nGen® and RADION™ product lines. Support production teams as needed.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Develop RF/MW power electronics subsystems from conceptual design through electronics test/debug into prototype and production assembly deliverables.
  • Support RF/MW electromagnetics design, simulation, and testing for R&D teams.
  • Communicate consistently and openly with engineers, technicians, and managers.
  • Manage continuous improvement goals across product lines, manage supply chain obsolescence, and mitigate risks.
  • Operate and characterize particle accelerator and plasma source subsystems vs. intended requirements specifications.
Required Qualifications:
  • Relevant Baccalaureate Degree (or greater) with experience
    • e.g., Electrical Engineering or RF/Microwave Engineering degree
  • Proficient in basic circuit design, layout and BOM tools, such as Altium/KiCAD
  • Comfortable interfacing with mechanical design, such as SolidWorks
  • Experience with LDMOS or high-voltage GaN RF electronics, LCR design, noise immunity and simulations through LT SPICE (or equivalent)
  • Proficient with microwave test equipment, vector network analyzer, diagnostic tools, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings
  • Ability to take initiative, assume responsibility and work independently.
  • Strong desire to learn and appreciates hands-on (re)work.
  • Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills fluent in English (written and verbal)
  • Proficient with MS Office Software & Teams Flexible and willing to work with multiple functional groups within the company
  • Passionate about technology and looking to apply that passion to a career
Desired Qualifications:
  • Minimum 3+ years’ work experiences
  • CNC mill, PCB layout, proven ability to multitask (e.g., handle projects in both R&D prototyping environment and production facility)
  • RF/microwave circuit, cavity and antenna design experience and/or 3D electromagnetic simulation experience using Sonnet, COMSOL, CST Microwave Studio or Ansys HFSS
  • Experience with high-power staged GaN or LDMOS solid-state, or high-power tube amplifiers
  • Analog/digital communications and controls
  • High-voltage design experience (>1kVdc)
  • Proven ability to multitask (e.g., handle projects in both R&D prototyping environment and production facility)
Salary commensurate with experience. Immediate start date.
This position is restricted to U.S. Persons only.