# RF - Senior Principal Engineer (R4491)

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** Dallas, TX
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $242k – $320k/yr
**Skills:** Rf Systems, Antenna Design, Cst, Ansys, Emi/Emc, Mil-Std 461, Mil-Std 464, Rf Link Performance, Gnss, Mil-Sat, V/Uhf, L-Band, S-Band, Rf Co-Site Analysis, Antenna Coupling
**Posted:** 2026-01-27

> Leads RF systems design, integration, testing, and compliance for VBAT AI hardware aircraft. Collaborates cross-functionally to optimize performance, mentor team, and ensure regulatory standards in fast-paced environment. Requires EE degree, Secret clearance, and proven RF leadership experience.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership to the RF team focusing on the VBAT product line.
- Quantify and optimize RF link performance, resolve defense/interference problems.
- Define system level and unit level design requirements and features for all RF systems.
- Improve design, test, and compliance processes for RF.
- Define test procedures, requirements, and train operators/technicians.
- Help grow the team, provide hiring input, and mentor teammates.
- Establish and enforce team processes around design, test, review, cross-functional support, and regulatory compliance.
- Regularly communicate with cross-functional teams regarding RF status, risks, needs, and plans.
- Provide technical design input/review to teams.
- Proactively identify opportunities for improvement in hardware development projects.

## Required Qualifications
- Active U.S. Secret security clearance; Top Secret strongly preferred.
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience with RF systems.
- Experience working on cross-functional teams (EE, ME, SW, manufacturing, production).
- Experience with technical mentorship/guidance of engineers.
- Experience leading design work on unit and system levels.
- Experience quantifying and improving RF sensitivity performance.
- Track record of owning development processes and delivering outcomes.
- Proven track record of shipping products in fast-paced environments.

## Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of antenna design and aircraft level radiation performance analysis (CST, ANSYS).
- Experience in RF and Antenna design, coupling analysis for airborne V/UHF, L-band, S-band, GNSS, MIL-SAT systems.
- RF analysis in frequency planning, RF Co-site, Antenna Coupling, analysis reports.
- EMI/EMC compliance techniques, optimizing size, weight, power.
- Knowledge of MIL-STD 461 and MIL-STD 464 compliance and test setups.
- RF system/subsystem/PCA EMI/EMC simulation, test, mitigation.
- Experience with autonomous robotic systems.
- Background in fast-paced startup/R&D environments.

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