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Manufacturing, Engineering Services

Staff RF Engineer

El Segundo, California, United StatesFull TimeStaff$150,000–$210,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Role summary

CHAOS Industries, a defense technology company specializing in Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), is seeking a Staff RF Engineer in Hawthorne, CA. This full-time, on-site role involves leading the design, analysis, integration, and verification of high-reliability RF and microwave electronics for aerospace and defense applications. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of RF engineering experience, with a strong background in RF circuit design, MMIC-based designs, and RF testing. Responsibilities include developing schematics, layouts, conducting simulations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams throughout the product lifecycle. The company offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a dynamic work environment.

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage—domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.

Role Overview:

CHAOS is seeking a Staff RF Engineer with deep expertise in RF circuit design to lead the design, analysis, integration, and verification of high-reliability RF and microwave electronics for aerospace and defense applications. This role works as part of a cross-functional, agile development team and spans the full product lifecycle, from early architecture and component trade studies through detailed design, testing, production support, and post-production sustainment of mission-critical systems.

The ideal candidate is an experienced RF circuit designer with strong hands-on experience across RF boards, MMIC-based designs, packaging constraints, and test environments, and can provide sound technical judgment when balancing performance, risk, manufacturability, and schedule.

This is a full-time, on-site position in Hawthorne, CA.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead design, analysis, prototyping, and tuning of RF circuit boards incorporating catalog MMICs, including LNAs, power amplifiers, baluns, filters, mixers, and associated bias and matching networks
  • Perform architecture development and component trade studies to meet system-level RF performance requirements
  • Develop schematics, layouts, and design documentation in accordance with customer requirements, aerospace standards, and internal design practices
  • Conduct linear, nonlinear, and electromagnetic simulations using industry-standard tools (e.g., HFSS, ADS, AWR, or equivalent)
  • Support PCB layout (Altium) and RF stack-up definition, including impedance control, grounding, shielding, and isolation techniques
  • Plan and execute RF testing and characterization, including integration and troubleshooting at the board, module, and subsystem levels
  • Contribute to the design and specification of RF test equipment, fixtures, and automation
  • Collaborate with systems, power, digital, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure RF designs integrate cleanly within larger systems
  • Serve as a technical contributor from development through production and post-production, including failure analysis and field support

    • Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years of progressively responsible RF engineering experience
  • Experience developing RF hardware for aerospace, defense, avionics, radar, EW, communications, or space systems
  • Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, including gain, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, stability, and impedance matching
  • Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters)
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex RF circuit performance issues
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, development-focused environments
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

    • Preferred Requirements:

  • Advanced Degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline
  • Experience with power amplifier design, analysis, and integration
  • Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations for RF systems and compliance with applicable aerospace standards
  • Experience with mixed-signal or RF/digital interfaces
  • Knowledge of manufacturing considerations for RF hardware, including tolerance analysis and yield drivers
  • Experience supporting production hardware and fielded systems
  • Experience with RF PCB layout best practices and design-for-manufacturing considerations
  • Familiarity with DO-160, MIL-STD-461, or similar aerospace/defense standards
  • Familiarity with RF antenna design principles

    • Why CHAOS?

  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, ‘No meeting Fridays’, unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices
    • $150k-210k

    The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

    Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.

    #LI-onsite

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