Director of RF Engineering (ENG08002)

Location: Durham
Department: Engineering

Summary

This is an exciting time to be a Nitronex employee. We are the only fully-qualified, ISO certified supplier of Gallium Nitride-on-Silicon RF power transistors for wireless communications applications in the world. Our Sigantic® manufacturing process delivers GaN-on-Silicon RF power transistors to meet the increasing power, frequency and bandwidth requirements found in the communication infrastructure and military markets. By combining the performance of GaN devices with the economy and familiarity of silicon substrates, Nitronex now gives communications OEMs the ideal solution. Nitronex is able to deliver on the promise of GaN-on-Silicon through the interlocking disciplines of GaN process development, RF device design and intellectual property.

The continued success of our company is the result of the creativity and hard work of our employees. At Nitronex, you will play a vital role in our vision. Our vision is to become the pre-eminent and worldwide leader of high performance RF power devices based on GaN technology. We support and develop a team of employees whose skills, commitment and values exemplify the highest quality of performance to the company, our customers, co-workers and shareholders.

Job Summary:

The Director of RF Engineering will report to the Vice President of Engineering and be responsible for developing and delivering Nitronex’s GaN RF products to the marketplace. These products include discrete power HFETs in both die and packaged form and various MMICs, including broadband amplifiers, RF switches, and low noise amplifiers. The person in this position will plan, direct, and manage Nitronex’s RF Engineering operations to include product research, development, product-to-market integration and customer relations in support of Nitronex’s strategic objectives. The RF Engineering Director is responsible for RF design, characterization, RF test operations and will build, manage, and administer a talented staff of RF engineers and technicians. This position works very closely with the VP of Engineering, the Director of Process and Device Engineering, the VP of Operations, and the VP of Sales & Marketing to define company's product roadmaps and ensure a highly effective New Product Introduction process that delivers high quality products (with market leading functionality and within designated timelines). The Director formulates programs, policies, and procedures that assure consistent and replicable development and manufacturing methods. This position plays a major role in business planning regarding technology and systems required to maintain engineering operations and a highly competitive product portfolio. The Director will drive technical strategy and is accountable to ensure that the product portfolio will take full advantage of new GaN technologies.

Responsibilities:

·         Manage the day-to-day activities of the RF Engineering team

·         Attract, retain, and develop top technical talent in our RF engineering staff

·         Development of new RF Power devices and test hardware

·         Management of RF test, measurement and characterization equipment

·         Provide technical support to Process Engineering, Applications Engineering and Operations

·         Oversee creation and capture of IP

·         Work with Marketing to define products

·         Lead product development efforts, meet product specifications, manage schedules and budgets

Required Skills/Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years experience and a BS degree in electrical engineering or physics (MSEE or MS preferred).
• Direct work experience and proven track record in RF/Microwave amplifier design, including circuit simulation, and characterization. Preferably, this experience should include design in L through X band and power levels up to 100W.
• Experience with RF power assembly and testing production lines.
• Familiarity with wireless infrastructure power amplifier architectures such as Feedforward, Digital Pre-Distortion, Doherty, Envelope Tracking, and EER.
• Working knowledge of modern digital modulation techniques such as EDGE, CDMA-2000, W-CDMA and OFDM. 
• Familiarity with large-signal modelling techniques.
• Previous experience with recruiting, mentoring and managing technical teams. 
• Excellent customer relation and presentation skills. The ability to derive customer requirements, carry out sampling activities and position products is key.
• Experience in formulating departmental budgets, interacting with vendors, product development methodologies and quality control practices.
• Familiarity with microwave MESFET/HFET operational principles.
• Direct experience with RF power transistor technologies such as Si LDMOS and GaAs HFET.
• Working knowledge of Gallium Nitride RF/microwave devices.
• Experience with MMIC design, simulation, manufacture, and packaging techniques.

To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to:

E-mail:
hr@nitronex.com
Fax: 919-807-9200

US Mail:
Attn: Human Resources
Nitronex Corporation
2305 Presidential Drive
Durham, NC 27703