Sr R&D Engineer

Company: Northeastern University
Location: Burlington
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY The Kostas Research Institute (KRI) at Northeastern University (NU) seeks a Senior RF Engineer to support and lead projects within the Assured Communications and Electromagnetic Dominance (ACED) technical thrust area. This position focuses on the design, simulation, prototyping, and testing of RF and microwave systems for defense, sensing, and communication applications. The Senior RF Engineer will serve as a technical leader within multidisciplinary teams—driving innovation in radar, electronic warfare, and secure communications systems. The role involves end-to-end system development, from conceptual design and modeling through laboratory validation and field testing.KRI conducts cutting-edge applied R&D. The institute was founded with a focus on homeland security. Today, KRI strives to advance resilience in the face of 21st century risks across a wide range of technologies, emphasizing a collaborative approach that leverages our R1 university intellectual capital and technologies to develop application-specific solutions to customer needs. KRI focuses on satisfying customer-driven needs by co-locating a diverse, highly skilled R&D team that can address all aspects of a particular problem across the full range of technology-readiness levels. KRI headquarters, located at the NU Innovation Campus in Burlington, MA (ICBM), is home to one-of-a-kind research and test facilities for advanced and additive manufacturing, electromagnetic materials and devices for sensing and communications, RF engineering and wireless networks, unmanned and autonomous system technologies, as well as quantum materials and sensing. KRI is expanding activities to other campuses within the NU network. The position with KRI at Northeastern University, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NU. The primary office for this position is at ICBM. Through NU, KRI offers an impressive benefits package, including multiple retirement plan options with generous matching, as well as tuition waiver for classes and degree programs. A full description of benefits can be found on the NU website . MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Job title and rank will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications. Education & Experience BS required, MS is preferred, PhD is highly preferred in RF, Electrical Engineering, or a related area. At least one year of relevant research and development experience is required; higher years of experience are required for higher rank positions. Clearance Ability and willingness to obtain DoD security clearance is required. BS in Electrical Engineering or related field required; MS or PhD preferred. 7 years of professional experience in RF/microwave engineering, systems integration, or related defense/aerospace fields. undefined undefined Proven expertise in RF circuit and system design, including amplifiers, filters, antennas, and transceivers. Experience with RF modeling tools (HFSS, ADS, CST, MATLAB, or similar). Proficiency in lab test and measurement with spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and signal generators. Strong written and oral communication skills, with a record of technical reporting and proposal contributions. Demonstrated success in leading small technical teams or mentoring junior engineers Desired Skills/Qualities Knowledge of low probability of intercept/detection (LPI/LPD) waveforms and electronic attack/defense systems. Experience developing RF front ends for radar or communication payloads. Familiarity with DoD R&D proposal development and contract execution. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES Lead RF R&D efforts within KRI’s ACED technical area, including design, prototyping, and testing of RF/microwave hardware systems (35%) Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams (hardware, firmware, systems, and software engineers) to deliver integrated solutions (25%) Manage technical scope and deliverables for assigned projects; ensure timely execution and reporting (20%) Contribute to and lead proposal efforts, including technical writing, cost estimation, and schedule planning (10%) Mentor junior engineers and interns; contribute to KRI’s growth in RF research capability (10%) Position Type Research Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 112S Expected Hiring Range: $99,010.00 - $143,567.50 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Keywords: Northeastern University, Quincy , Sr R&D Engineer, Engineering , Burlington, Massachusetts