Senior RF Engineer
Solinnov is looking for a senior RF or microwave engineer who wants to remain closely involved in design, simulation, prototyping, tuning and laboratory testing while helping establish the technical direction of our internal RF capability.
You will work on custom RF hardware for software-defined radio, communications, electronic warfare and radar applications.
The work may include amplification, frequency conversion, filtering, signal distribution and complete RF front ends operating from the MHz range to 18 GHz and beyond.
This is a senior individual contributor and technical lead role.
You will personally solve important RF design problems, guide RF architecture and verification decisions, review technical work and help develop the tools, methods and laboratory capability required to deliver reliable RF products.
IMPORTANT:
Applicants must hold Australian citizenship and either have, or be eligible to obtain, an Australian Defence security clearance (NV1) from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency.
About Us
Solinnov develops high-performance systems for complex signal-processing problems in wireless communications, electronic warfare and radar.
Our core expertise is in FPGA-based software-defined radios, supported by capabilities in firmware, software, electronics, mechanical engineering, systems engineering and product development.
We are expanding our in-house hardware and RF engineering capability so that we can design and manufacture more of the critical RF subsystems used in our products and test systems.
Our work primarily supports the Australian Government and Australian Defence, delivering solutions where performance, reliability and innovation matter.
Successful engineers at Solinnov share a common mindset.
They:
Enjoy solving hard, ambiguous technical problems
Move quickly to understand real end-user needs and deliver practical solutions
Thrive on doing new things and pushing beyond what has been done before
Actively seek out learning and continuously raise their own technical standards
Step up when faced with complex or high-pressure challenges
Work openly and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver outstanding outcomes
We have offices in Adelaide and Melbourne.
The Role
Reporting to the Productisation Manager, you will be Solinnov's senior RF technical lead.
You will have substantial influence over:
RF system and subsystem architecture
Design approaches and technical trade-offs
RF analysis, simulation and verification methods
Selection of RF design tools and laboratory capability
RF design reviews and technical risk management
The development of RF knowledge within the broader engineering team
Future RF recruitment and team development, where required




You will work closely with engineers and technicians across electronics, FPGA, software, mechanical, systems and productisation.
Major product decisions will be made collaboratively, while you will provide technical leadership and judgement on RF-specific matters.
The expected balance is approximately 80% hands-on engineering and 20% technical leadership, reviews, planning and mentoring.
There will be an opportunity to steer the shape of the position as our RF capability evolves.
The role is full time and can be based in Melbourne or Adelaide by agreement.
Applicants must be Australian citizens who are eligible for an NV1 security clearance.
Day-to-day
Turn system requirements into RF architectures, budgets, specifications, component selections, test strategies and practical implementation plans
Design RF subsystems for real products, including power amplifiers, frequency converters, filters and complete RF front-end assemblies
Use simulation, analysis, prototyping, bench measurements and design review to develop RF hardware that performs reliably in the field
Bring up, tune, debug and verify RF hardware using appropriate test equipment and well-structured engineering evidence
Work closely with electronics, firmware, software, mechanical, systems and productisation teams to integrate RF hardware into complete SDR and RF products
Support design for manufacture, design for test, supplier engagement, production test definition and the investigation of production or field issues
Produce clear documentation, including design notes, RF budgets, test plans, test reports, verification records and manufacturing handover material
Review designs, explain RF trade-offs and help engineers and technicians build a stronger understanding of RF
Share RF knowledge through design reviews, technical discussions, practical coaching and mentoring of engineers and technicians, where appropriate
Skills & Experience
We do not expect one person to have designed every type of RF circuit or worked in every application area listed below.
Depth in several relevant areas, supported by strong fundamentals and sound engineering judgement, is more significant than matching every example.
Essential
Demonstrated practical experience independently designing, developing and troubleshooting complex RF or microwave hardware
Strong RF and microwave fundamentals, including the ability to reason about impedance matching, transmission lines, S-parameters, stability, noise, gain, linearity, compression,



intermodulation, phase noise, frequency conversion, filtering, shielding, grounding and system-level RF performance
Experience designing or making a material contribution to power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, frequency conversion stages, RF or microwave filters, or integrated RF front ends
Strong practical laboratory experience using instruments such as vector network analysers, spectrum analysers, signal generators, power meters and oscilloscopes
Demonstrated experience taking RF hardware from concept through design, prototyping, bring-up, verification and iteration
Ability to explain complex RF concepts, trade-offs, risks and test evidence to RF specialists, engineers from other disciplines and non-specialist stakeholders
Sound engineering judgement, strong documentation habits and a practical approach to solving ambiguous technical problems
Experience mentoring, teaching or reviewing RF work for less experienced engineers
A degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
Valuable, but not required
Experience at X-band, Ku-band or higher frequencies would be highly valuable.
Strong transferable RF or microwave design experience at other frequencies will also be considered
Experience with SDR architectures, wideband RF systems, modulated signals, radar, electronic warfare or communications systems
RF circuit simulation using tools such as ADS, AWR Microwave Office or equivalent
Electromagnetic simulation using HFSS, CST, Sonnet or equivalent
Experience with RF PCB layout, stack-up selection, controlled-impedance structures, thermal constraints, shielding, connectorisation, DFM, DFT and production testing
EMC design support, compliance testing or spectrum-management activities
Experience with ruggedised defence, aerospace, telecommunications, scientific or other high-reliability products
Why Join Solinnov
This role offers the opportunity to work on real hardware that ends up in the field—integrated into Australian Defence platforms and systems where performance and reliability genuinely matter.
You will have end-to-end ownership of build outcomes and work across a genuinely multidisciplinary team spanning firmware, software and hardware engineering.
We operate in a friendly, self-motivated team environment using agile development practices.
We offer:
Competitive salaries
Study and professional development assistance
Paid parental leave
Flexible work-from-home arrangements appropriate to the needs of lab-based engineering
A culture built around curiosity, collaboration and "geeks having fun"
To Apply
Please include a cover letter and CV in your application.
Please send any queries to ******.

📌 Senior Rf Engineer (South Australia)
🏢 Solinnov
📍 South Australia