Any RF/Microwave Engineers here?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BryanP
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and insights of RF/Microwave engineers, particularly in the context of job expectations, workload, and job satisfaction within the field. Participants share personal anecdotes and observations related to working in RF engineering, especially in defense-related roles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in applying for an RF Engineering position and seeks insights about daily responsibilities and job satisfaction levels.
  • Another participant notes a common passion among RF engineers, suggesting that the field has a unique allure that attracts individuals, despite challenging workloads and deadlines.
  • A participant who works with RF engineers mentions that RF work is not the sole focus in defense companies, as there are significant administrative tasks involved, which may detract from actual engineering work.
  • Concerns are raised about job satisfaction, with one participant suggesting that older RF engineers may feel trapped in their positions due to personal circumstances, despite potentially enjoying their work.
  • A former RF Systems Engineer shares a negative experience, indicating that their role involved tedious tasks such as spreadsheet analysis, which they found unfulfilling.
  • Several participants indicate their intent to pursue RF/Microwave engineering as part of their educational or career paths.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences and sentiments about working in RF engineering, with no clear consensus on job satisfaction or workload. Some highlight the rewarding aspects of the field, while others share frustrations and challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views are influenced by personal experiences and may not represent the broader RF engineering community. There are varying definitions of job roles and expectations, and the discussion reflects a mix of positive and negative sentiments without resolution.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in RF/Microwave engineering, current students in related fields, and professionals seeking insights into the RF engineering work environment.

BryanP
Messages
198
Reaction score
0
I'm thinking about applying to an RF Engineering position at Northrop-Grumman, but I want to know the "day" of any RF engineers here.

What do you do?

How would you rate your average load of work (low,medium,high)?

How do you feel about your job (happy, stressed out/negative, thinking about leaving)?

Any other information would be great.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm working on to be a RF/microwave engineer. I've talked with many of them, and one thing they share in common is the addiction. There is something about RF that draws certain people to the field. Workload I suppose is like any other I suppose. Companies come up with absurd deadlines, but the designs get completed five months after anyways. Many are hams too.
 
Thanks for the information what.

Any other inputs?
 
I work with them daily. I do some RF work, but not too much.

Believe it or not, you will not be doing RF all the time while employed at any defense company. There is so much extra BS that has to be done (paperwork, documents, addressing system problems, etc) that if you truly wanted a RF position, you'd have to be one that's really really good at it. Only a handful or small amount get to do RF.

I work at a larger defense contractor in the RF group and not all do RF. Most of the RF guys are a little bit older. They seem to like their job? I can't tell. But, even if they hated it, they probably couldn't quit because of their families and trouble of relocating at their age.

On the other hand, I know it's a very rewarding career because my manager is a RF guy and as been ever since he graduated. How many RF guys can you find versus digital designers?
 
Nice thread. I plan on getting into RF/Microwave engineering as a depth in my EEE program.
 
I was an RF Systems Engineer in the past and all I was doing was analyzing a spreadsheet all day. It was hell!
 
I'm studying to be RF/Microwave engneering
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
23
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
747