RF Design Engineer

Who is Elve?
Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA whose patent-pending technology enables 100x faster wireless internet access in urban settings and remote locations. Elve delivers a transformative approach to the design and manufacturing of high-efficiency lightweight millimeter-wave and near-THz RF power amplifiers in large quantities. Our solutions enable the next generation of wireless connectivity well beyond 5G as well as high-resolution imaging and radar. We are looking for RF design engineers to play key roles in bringing our technology to market. If you are passionate about the future of RF electronics, additive manufacturing, precision assembly, microfabrication, vacuum systems, advanced materials processing, and working on a small and energetic team - we can’t wait to meet you!
Job Description
An RF design engineer at Elve is responsible for the design, analysis, and characterization of Elve products and systems. This will include performing RF simulations on amplifiers and passive components and operating test high-voltage test equipment (up to 15 kV), as well as creating and documenting the design process. . Given our team's size, there are many opportunities to grow, be challenged, and take on new opportunities, skills and responsibilities. This is a full-time salaried position. The goal of this position is to allow us to rapidly iterate and validate our design process and approaches.
Responsibilities
The full-time assignment may include performing product tuning, testing, and troubleshooting of RF microwave devices. This will include measuring S-parameters of passive and active devices. It will include measuring gain and power transfer information on amplifiers and assessing stability. In addition to standard test equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters, you will use signal generators, diode detectors, power meters, vector network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers. You will work with waveguide and waveguide couplers, coaxial cables, and high-voltage power supplies.
Work Environment
May be a combination of the following but not limited to:
Manufacturing facility
ISO 5 - ISO 7 Cleanroom
Laboratory
Machine shop
Warehouse
Office
Requirements
Qualifications
Familiarity with electromagnetic design and simulation software
Familiarity with amplifier design, including matching, stability, and transfer characteristics
Familiarity with oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other electrical test equipment
Willing to learn and adaptable
Self-motivated
Experience working in a team environment
Be able to quickly switch between tasks
Detail-oriented
Good to have:
Experience with electron beam optics
Experience with finite element electromagnetic analysis software
Familiarity with the Smith chart
Familiarity with RF communication systems, including link budgets and high data rate waveforms
Experience using a network analyzer and other RF test equipment/accessories
Experience with waveguide hardware
Hands-on experience building devices (of any kind)
Experience with Ultra-High-Vacuum systems
Coding experience, particularly Python (for automation and data-processing/analysis), ideally with hardware communication
Knowledge of environmental test processes and equipment is beneficial.
Experience with high voltage
Great communication skills
J-STD-001 training preferred
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors engineering degree OR associates degree in technical field with equivalent work experience
1-5 years engineering professional experience
Basic hands-on tools experience
To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR), to work in this role you must be one of the following: a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by , or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about export control .
Benefits
Benefits Include:
Competitive salary
Health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
Vacation time
A taste of the start-up life
Exposure to cutting-edge technology in vacuum electronics, materials science, and additive manufacturing.
Rubbing shoulders and brainstorming with multiple Ph.D. and masters-level engineers
What it’s like to work at Elve
We are a small team (for now!) on a mission to bring the next generation of high-speed wireless connectivity to a billion people worldwide. That kind of impact is not going to be achieved with incremental improvements- we are gunning for orders of magnitude advances in production capability, cost, size, and power in the mm-wave RF amplifier market. We ask “dumb” questions all the time because we always have something to learn. We work really hard, make sure to get good sleep, handle conflict intentionally, and expect great things from each other.