RF Applications Engineer

Product Applications Engineer – RF PLL/VCO (Drone & UAS Applications)

About the Role

As a Product Applications Engineer at Analog Devices (ADI), you will serve as a technical expert for RF frequency generation solutions—specifically PLL, VCO, and integrated PLL/VCO products—supporting drone and unmanned aerial system (UAS) applications. You will help customers integrate high‑performance RF clocking and local oscillator solutions into airborne platforms where phase noise, fast frequency agility, size, weight, power (SWaP), and robustness are critical.

In this role, you will develop deep system‑level understanding of drone‑based RF architectures (communications, radar, sensing, and navigation), create application collateral, and work cross‑functionally to bring new RF products to market. You will act as a trusted technical interface between customers, field teams, and internal design groups to ensure ADI solutions are successfully designed into next‑generation UAS platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Integration & System Support

• Support customers integrating RF PLLs, VCOs, and integrated PLL/VCO solutions into drone and UAS platforms, including communication links, radar, sensing, and electronic payloads
• Provide expert guidance on phase noise, spurious performance, frequency hopping, chirp generation, and LO architectures for airborne RF systems
• Troubleshoot complex system‑level issues related to RF performance, power, thermal constraints, and environmental robustness

Application & Reference Design Development

• Develop application tools, reference designs, evaluation boards, and software/GUI tools that demonstrate RF PLL/VCO performance in drone‑relevant use cases
• Create system demonstrations highlighting fast tuning, low jitter, low power operation, and compact implementations suitable for UAS platforms

Product Validation & Characterization

• Perform detailed lab evaluation of RF products, including phase noise, jitter, spurs, frequency switching behavior, and temperature performance
• Define operational boundaries and validate performance across real‑world drone operating conditions

Technical Documentation

• Author high‑quality application notes, user guides, reference designs, and design articles focused on drone RF architectures and frequency generation challenges
• Clearly communicate complex RF concepts to customers, FAEs, and internal teams

Competitive & Market Analysis

• Analyze competing RF PLL/VCO solutions used in drone and UAS markets
• Evaluate competitor evaluation boards and architectures, creating clear comparison material to highlight ADI differentiation

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with IC design, product line management, systems engineering, marketing, and sales to support new product definitions and successful product launches
• Provide customer‑driven feedback to influence future PLL/VCO architectures optimized for UAS requirements

Qualification & Reliability Testing

• Support qualification testing relevant to airborne and ruggedized applications, including thermal, power cycling, and long‑term reliability considerations

Must‑Have Skills

• RF System‑Level Design: Strong understanding of RF frequency generation and LO architectures using PLLs and VCOs, including tradeoffs in phase noise, tuning speed, and power
• PLL/VCO Applications Expertise: Hands‑on experience with RF PLLs, VCOs, or integrated PLL/VCO devices and their use in real systems
• Problem Solving: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex RF issues involving spurs, noise, synchronization, and fast tuning behavior
• Lab & Measurement Skills: Experience using RF instrumentation such as spectrum analyzers, phase noise analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes
• Application Development: Ability to create reference designs, evaluation boards, and software tools that accelerate customer adoption
• Technical Communication: Clear and effective communication through documentation, presentations, and direct customer interaction
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively across engineering, marketing, and sales organizations

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 2–4 years of experience in RF applications engineering, product applications, or customer technical support
• Experience with RF PLLs, VCOs, frequency synthesizers, or clocking ICs
• Familiarity with drone, UAS, radar, wireless communications, or sensing systems
• Exposure to SWaP‑constrained or high‑reliability system design is a strong plus