R&D RFIC Design Engineer, Hybrid

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://www.sandia.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 sensitive devices and equipment to troubleshooting high frequency circuitry .
• Understanding of electronic die characterization, RF test equipment, working knowledge of solder assembly, PCB development and fabrication.
• Adaptability and flexibility to address rapidly advancing technologies and evolving customer needs.
• Proficiency with software for data analysis and instrument control in C#, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python.
• Familiarity with microscale packaging and integration techniques as well as approaches for microsystem rapid prototyping and integration.
• Design and characterization of analog, high-speed digital, RF, or microwave devices or circuits.
• Microelectronics realization including requirements definition, device behavior, circuit design, mask layout, fabrication, testing, and documentation.
• Recent Laboratory test and measurement of analog and RF components using tools such as high-speed oscilloscopes, network analyzers, parameter analyzers, and probe stations.
• Experience with/in: Analog and RF modeling using commercially available simulation tools in semiconductor, electromagnetic, and/or circuit design using Cadence, Mentor Graphics, EMX.
• Strong oral, written, and technical writing skills to provide sponsors and vendors convincing evidence of quality designs.
• LabVIEW, MATLAB, and C++ programming experience.
• Active DOD TS or DOE Q level clearance.

The Advance RF ICs and Microsystems department performs research, design, modeling, characterization, and qualification of RF microelectronics. We have a focus on efficient, high performance RF component design, electromagnetic modeling, as well as novel wireless sensor development. We have capabilities for developing between prototypes to fully qualified hardware. We provide unique solutions to our customers in nuclear weapons, DoD, non-proliferation agencies, and subsystem departments (SAR, surety, & ISR). Our research interests include advanced RF sensors, low power communication devices, quantum computing electromagnetics, advanced radar component design, and next generation resonators for clocks unique to national security applications. Join this team to make a difference for our nation and work toward your individual goals.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

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 and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.