Principal RFIC Engineer (Starshield Silicon)

Irvine · Hawthorne · USD 210,000-340,000 · 8+ years experience · Posted Sep 22, 2026

At a glance

As a Principal RFIC Engineer on the Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of U.S. National Security.
You will be developing cutting-edge next-generation RFICs for deployment in space and ground infrastructures around the globe.
You will work in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, exploring unsolved problems and applying rapid iteration to go from design and demo to operational capability.

Design, simulate and model RF/analog/mixed-signal circuits and systems
Derive specifications for the RFIC subsystems and circuits
Develop analog/mixed-signal/RF/microwave circuits in SiGe, GaAs, GaN, or CMOS processes
Work with system architects, modem/DSP and ASIC engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains
Perform IC floor planning and layout
Own packaging prototypes, product development, and release to production, and model package and external parasitic components
Evaluate and characterize prototypes of the design
Assist in the development of automated test lab equipment for lab measurements
Work with manufacturing engineers on production testing and qualification of the RFIC components and systems

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
8+ years of professional RF integrated circuit experience

Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering or computer engineering with an emphasis in RF/analog/mixed-signal integrated circuit design
Experience using simulation tools such as Spectre, ADS, HFSS or Momentum
Circuit design skills, and experience performing analysis and simulation of both linear and non-linear circuits such as phase-locked loops, vector modulators/demodulators, oscillators, mixers, filters, low noise and power amplifiers
Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques and modulation types such as QPSK, APSK and QAM
Knowledge of RF transceiver architectures
Deep understanding of theory and MMIC design of RF front end blocks, from S-band to W-band frequency ranges
Familiarity with radio related test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, vector signal generator, network analyzers
Experience characterizing radio performance in microwave frequencies

Long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
Potential discretionary bonuses
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Short and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Paid parental leave
3 weeks of paid vacation
10 or more paid holidays per year