Role Overview and Responsibilities:
Dhruva Space is seeking a highly experienced RF Frontend Design Engineer to lead the design, development, and validation of RF front-end hardware systems. This role requires deep expertise in RF circuit design, power amplifier development, and board-level implementation. The ideal candidate will have strong hands on experience across the full hardware lifecycle from schematic design to board bring-up, testing, and system validation along with a strong ownership mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to balance performance, cost, and manufacturability while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and develop RF front-end circuits including power amplifiers (PA), LNAs, mixers, filters, and matching networks.
- Lead the design and optimization of linear and nonlinear power amplifiers (Class A, AB, B, Doherty) with focus on efficiency, linearity, stability, and thermal performance.
- Design active and passive RF circuits and optimize impedance matching networks.
- Perform RF filter design (lumped and distributed) as per system requirements.
- Conduct link budget analysis and evaluate RF system-level performance.
- Develop detailed schematics and guide PCB layout design using RF best practices (controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, isolation).
- Ensure manufacturability and reliability in PCB and hardware design.
- Perform component selection, BOM creation, and vendor coordination considering cost and quality.
- Use simulation and design tools such as ADS, AWR, and Altium Designer.
- Perform RF testing and validation using lab equipment (VNA, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, power meters).
- Ensure high accuracy in RF measurements and validation processes.
- Debug RF/hardware issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with antenna, firmware, mechanical, and system teams for product integration.
- Ensure compliance with RF standards, regulatory requirements, and EMC/EMI guidelines.
- Apply DFM/DFT practices and high-frequency PCB stack-up design principles.
- Incorporate thermal and reliability considerations into RF hardware design.
- Work on wireless systems such as LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, and satellite communication.
- Apply load-pull and source-pull techniques for PA optimization.
Candidate Requirements:
- Bachelor's/Master's in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related field.
- 5–7 years of hands-on experience in RF front-end design and hardware development.
- Strong experience in board-level design, including schematic capture and PCB layout.
- Expertise in linear and nonlinear power amplifier design.
- Strong knowledge of active and passive RF circuit design.
- Experience in RF filter design and impedance matching techniques.
- Solid understanding of link budget analysis and RF system performance metrics.
- Hands-on experience with simulation tools such as ADS, AWR, and Altium Designer.
- Experience with RF lab equipment and hardware validation processes.
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- High attention to detail in RF design and measurements.
- Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional team environments.
