RF Research Physicist/Electrical Engineer

$90,000 - $330,000/Yr

Johns Hopkins - Laurel, MD

Full-time - Entry Level

Laurel, MD

Educational Services

About the position

The RF Research Physicist/Electrical Engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is responsible for designing and prototyping innovative engineered surfaces and devices that manipulate microwave and radio-frequency electromagnetic fields. This role involves collaboration with a team of researchers to develop solutions that impact advanced microwave devices and systems, focusing on both computational modeling and experimental characterization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, prototyping, and fabrication of novel surfaces, structures, and materials for manipulating RF fields.
• Perform anechoic chamber measurements and devise RF testbeds to characterize electromagnetic prototypes.
• Analyze data and propose design refinements based on experimental results.
• Advance independent research and development ideas in collaboration with a diverse team of physicists, engineers, and fabrication technicians.

Requirements

• PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related fields.
• Strong background in electromagnetics, microwave circuits, and RF electronics.
• Proficiency in using full-wave electromagnetic simulation packages such as CST or COMSOL.
• 1+ year working experience in configuring and operating RF hardware equipment such as vector network analyzers, antennas, and spectrum analyzers.
• Working knowledge of or interest in learning fabrication procedures for engineered electromagnetic surfaces.
• Ability to write scientific programs in MATLAB or PYTHON.
• Eligibility to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in printed circuit board layout and fabrication.
• Interest in building systems with RF components (e.g., mixers, amplifiers, filters, and detectors).
• Previous contributions to the design of electromagnetic metasurfaces or reconfigurable intelligent surfaces.
• Broad exposure to common RF applications such as communications, radar, antenna design, or microwave imaging.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program
• Unparalleled retirement contributions
• Healthy work/life balance
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, and training and development.