Company Overview:
Dedrone is the world’s most trusted smart airspace security company. Hundreds of commercial, government and military customers around the world rely on Dedrone’s comprehensive, command and control (C2) solution to protect against the persistent and escalating threat from drones while enabling “good” drones to fly. By leveraging AI/ML, Dedrone is the only solution that provides continuous, autonomous interrogation and verification of drones that enables both multi-sensor and multi-mitigation options onto a single fused "pane-of-glass".
Whether on-premise / air-gapped or in the cloud, Dedrone customers can easily detect, track, identify, analyze, and mitigate drone threats.
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:
- 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.
Benefits that Benefit You
- Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
- Discretionary paid time off
- Paid parental leave for all
- Medical, Dental, Vision plans
- Emotional & Mental Wellness support
- Learning & Development programs
- And yes, we have snacks in our offices
Benefits listed herein may vary depending on the nature of your employment and the location where you workDon’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Dedrone, 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 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.The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.
Dedrone is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Dedrone’s impact on the environment. All Dedrone employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Dedrone employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.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 need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com.
