As a Lead RF Engineer – Payload Systems here at Honeywell Aerospace, you will play a key role in the design, development, and delivery of advanced engineering solutions that drive innovation, performance, and reliability across critical systems. You will work within cross-functional teams on complex projects that support next-generation products and technologies.
In this role, you will contribute to the development of sophisticated Software Defined Radio solutions for space communications systems, ensuring robust design, integration, and performance of components and subsystems. Your strong technical expertise and hands-on approach will be essential in delivering high-quality, reliable systems that meet demanding mission and customer requirements.
You will report directly to our Sr. Engineering Manager, and you’ll work out of our Cambridge, ON location on an on-site work schedule.
Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are used on virtually every commercial, defense, and space aircraft. We build aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components. Our hardware and software solutions help create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies.
Safer, More Fuel-Efficient Flying and Innovations for the Future of Aviation.
ResponsibilitiesKey responsibilities
- Design and develop RF hardware for communication systems from UHF to Ka Band for telemetry, telecommand and datalink applications
- Design active RF circuits including LNAs, SSPAs, driver amplifiers, mixers, frequency converters, frequency synthesizers and PLLs
- Perform RF architecture trades, link budgets, gain/noise analysis, linearity, and dynamic range calculations
- Develop RF schematics, perform component selection, and support PCB layout
- Conduct RF simulations using tools such as AWR, ADS, CST, HFSS, and MATLAB
- Perform RF testing and troubleshooting using VNAs, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, and noise figure analysers
- Support environmental and qualification testing (EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, etc.)
- Investigate and resolve RF performance issues across development, integration, and production
- Produce technical documentation (design reports, test procedures, verification reports, design reviews)
- Support product owner and project engineer in product development and meeting technical milestones
- Support customer technical interactions and design reviews
The annual base salary range for this position is $112,000-150,000 in Ontario. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell Aerospace considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
This position is for a current vacancy
The Honeywell Aerospace building is a controlled goods program environment. Candidates must be eligible for CGP and CSP security clearance.
Must Have
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field
- Proven track record in designing and testing active RF circuits and systems
- Minimum 7+ years’ industrial experience in RF/microwave hardware development
- Strong understanding of RF system analysis, including:
- RF Line-up analysis
- Link budget calculation
- Linearity, Intermodulation, EVM, transmitter performance
- Noise figure, SNR, BER, Receiver sensitivity
- Phase noise and frequency synthesis
- Hands-on experience with RF measurements and debugging
We Value
- Experience in aerospace, defence, or space communication systems, including exposure to mission-critical RF applications
- Experience in telemetry, telecommand, or satellite communication systems, with familiarity in SDR-based and digital communication architectures
- Understanding of RF system lifecycle and qualification processes, including EMI/EMC, environmental testing, and product certification
- Familiarity with advanced radio architectures, including FPGA-based systems and high-speed digital interfaces
- Experience supporting formal engineering design reviews (e.g. SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and structured development processes
- Strong technical ownership and accountability, with the ability to take designs from development through integration and delivery
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and across multidisciplinary teams
- Strong analytical thinking and structured problem-solving capability in complex RF/system environments
- Commitment to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and high-quality delivery in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work independently on complex technical tasks with limited supervision
- Proven experience in developing and delivering engineering solutions from requirements through to implementation
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Passion for innovation and continuous learning
- Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, or related field
- Minimum 7+ years industrial experience in RF/microwave hardware development
- Proven track record designing and testing active RF circuits and systems (LNAs, SSPAs, mixers, frequency synthesizers, PLLs)
- Strong understanding of RF system analysis: link budgets, linearity, intermodulation, EVM, noise figure, SNR, BER, receiver sensitivity, phase noise
- Hands-on experience with RF measurements and debugging using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, noise figure analyzers
- Eligible for Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and CSP security clearance
- Work on-site in Cambridge, ON (on-site schedule)
- Experience with RF simulation tools (AWR, ADS, CST, HFSS, MATLAB)
- Experience in aerospace/defence/space communication systems, SDR-based architectures, FPGA-based systems and high-speed digital interfaces
- Familiarity with environmental and qualification testing (EMI/EMC, thermal vacuum, vibration, shock) and engineering design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR)
The Aerospace Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Aerospace Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by The Aerospace Corporation.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) plan provides a company‑paid contribution of 8–12% based on years of service with immediate eligibility and vesting, and eligible employees can access retiree medical benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes 15 vacation days (rising to 20 after five years), nine paid holidays, and unlimited sick time for exempt employees with accruals for non‑exempt staff.
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Flexible Benefits — Flexible work models include a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays off, supported by backup care services, an EAP, relocation assistance, and home‑office stipends where applicable.
The Aerospace Corporation Insights
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration. Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies. Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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