Principal RF Engineer

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other. Life at Axon is fast‑paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter. Your Impact We are seeking a Principal RF Engineer with advanced expertise in RF front‑end systems and antenna design to spear‑head the development of high‑performance Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms. You will be instrumental in architecting and implementing RF front ends, with an emphasis on high‑power amplifiers (>50dBm), LNAs, and antennas capable of operating across broad and dynamic frequency ranges. This role demands both technical leadership and hands‑on design excellence, supporting next‑generation RF systems critical to our airspace security solutions. What You’ll Do Location: Onsite in Sterling, Virginia Architect and develop RF front ends including PAs, LNAs, and filters. Specify and integrate antennas for SDR platforms, ensuring optimized performance across frequency bands and dynamic environments. Lead RF validation, characterization, and environmental qualification for field deployments. Collaborate with other RF engineers, antenna experts, hardware, software, and systems teams to optimize performance in real‑world scenarios. Serve as a technical leader and mentor, supporting the long‑term roadmap and cross‑functional integration. What You Bring M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred). 8+ years of experience in advanced RF system development, particularly in SDR, wireless, or sensing domains. Demonstrated expertise in high‑power RF amplifier and LNA design, multiband and wideband RF front‑end architecture, antenna design, simulation, and validation. Proficient in RF simulation and test tools (ADS, HFSS, CST, MATLAB/Python, VNA, spectrum analyzer, etc.). Deep understanding of propagation physics, impedance matching, linearity, and thermal effects in RF systems. Experience with counter‑UAS, radar, SIGINT, or defense‑oriented RF systems. Familiarity with SDR platforms such as USRP, GNURadio, or custom FPGA‑based solutions. Experience with beamforming, MIMO, direction‑finding, or geolocation technologies. Proven record of patents, publications, or fielded RF systems. Work Location This role is based out of our Sterling Office and follows a hybrid schedule. We rely on in‑person collaboration and ask that team members work onsite Tuesdays through Fridays, with the flexibility to work remotely on Mondays, unless there is an approved workplace accommodation. We believe that connection fuels innovation, and our in‑office culture is designed to foster meaningful teamwork, mentorship, and shared success. Benefits that Benefit You Competitive salary and 401k with employer match Discretionary paid time off Paid parental leave for all Fitness programs Emotional & mental wellness support And yes, we have snacks in our offices Don’t meet every single requirement? That’s ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long‑term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special needs that require assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes. #J-18808-Ljbffr