Antenna Subsystem Engineer

Antenna Subsystems Engineer

Senior Level | Colorado Springs, CO | $100,000 - $127,000 | Active Secret Clearance Required | Ability to Obtain SAP

Support advanced RF, microwave, antenna, and radar test capabilities by performing subsystem analysis, performance modeling, system-level troubleshooting, and integration of sophisticated RF/system test benches. This role will provide technical leadership across antenna range operations, RF performance testing, customer field support, and emerging program and IRAD activities. The successful engineer will work with significant independence, developing innovative solutions to complex technical problems and supporting long-term program objectives.
A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Perform subsystem-level analysis spanning RF through digital hardware to evaluate system performance and identify technical issues.
• Support performance modeling, characterization, verification, and testing of advanced RF and microwave systems.
• Provide advanced technical support for RF/system test benches, including operating test systems as required and troubleshooting complex hardware and software issues.
• Perform system-level analysis during test failures to isolate root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Integrate RF/system test benches into larger test architectures and operational environments while maintaining appropriate configuration control and repeatable test setups.
• Plan and execute testing using near-field and compact antenna test ranges, including range integration, test execution, data collection, and data analysis.
• Operate and troubleshoot RF test equipment including network analyzers, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes.
• Develop innovative solutions to complex RF/Microwave design, integration, and test problems requiring substantial technical judgment, ingenuity, and creativity.
• Apply expertise in antenna systems, RF performance analysis, RF test verification, and production test support to resolve challenging engineering issues.
• Perform electrical and mechanical troubleshooting across test equipment, antenna systems, and integrated test benches.
• Develop and debug engineering scripts and analysis tools using MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++.
• Analyze antenna range test data and use engineering results to evaluate system performance and identify areas requiring corrective action.
• Support antenna range scheduling, staffing, requirements, prioritization, technical planning, and resource coordination.
• Provide technical leadership to test teams, including work dissemination, team coordination, planning, and early identification of program and technical risks.
• Design, implement, install, and maintain electrical systems supporting RF and system test capabilities.
• Travel to customer sites to support Action Request (AR) activities, including on-site troubleshooting, test execution, corrective-action implementation, and customer debriefs.
• Prepare technical findings, test results, corrective-action documentation, and post-visit debrief summaries for customer and program stakeholders.
• Support emerging program initiatives and IRAD activities, including defining test approaches, integrating new capabilities, and validating system performance.
• Work under consultative direction toward long-range program objectives while independently identifying and initiating assignments that advance technical goals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to integrate RF, antenna, digital, hardware, software, and test capabilities into operational environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM or related discipline with 8 years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree with 6 years of relevant experience; OR PhD with 4 years of relevant experience.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the company.
• Proficiency with near-field or compact antenna test ranges, including antenna range integration, testing, data collection, data analysis, and system integration.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment, including:
  • Network analyzers
  • Signal generators
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Oscilloscopes
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly novel solutions to complex RF/Microwave design and test problems requiring ingenuity and creativity.
• Established subject matter expertise across multiple RF/Microwave disciplines, including antenna systems, RF performance analysis, RF test verification, and production test support.
• Proficiency in electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with software scripting and debugging using MATLAB, Visual Basic, and C++.
• Experience supporting and troubleshooting RF/system test benches.
• Ability to design, implement, install, and maintain electrical systems.
• Demonstrated aptitude for antenna range scheduling, staffing, requirements, prioritization, technical team leadership, time management, team building, work dissemination, and technical planning.
• Ability to identify technical and operational issues early and develop effective corrective actions.
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites as required to support Action Requests, field troubleshooting, testing, and other program requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior radar system knowledge and experience.
• Expert-level experience operating both near-field and compact antenna test ranges.
• Expert-level experience with NSI-MI Technology antenna range test systems.
• Expert-level proficiency using MATLAB for post-processing antenna range test data.
• Experience integrating RF/system test benches into development, sustainment, and production environments.
• Experience supporting radar performance testing, RF system integration, or antenna characterization.
• Experience leading customer-facing technical troubleshooting and corrective-action activities.
• Experience supporting emerging technology development, IRAD, or advanced engineering initiatives.
• Experience establishing repeatable test configurations and configuration-controlled test architectures.

Why Caribou Thunder?
TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

Employee Advocacy | Mission Proven | Global Reach | Skilled Teams | Modern Tools | Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.
Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you.

Apply and let's connect.