Radio Frequency (RF) Architect

Job Posting Title:

Radio Frequency (RF) Architect

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Hiring Department:

Texas Institute for Electronics

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

To Be Determined at Offer

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Earliest Start Date:

Ongoing

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

About TIE

Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE) is a transformative, well-funded semiconductor foundry venture combining the agility of a startup with the scale of a national initiative.

Our Mission

A key part of our mission is to advance the state of the art in 3D heterogeneous integration (3DHI), chiplet-based architectures, and multi-component microsystems- catalyzing breakthroughs across microelectronics, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, high-performance computing, and next-generation healthcare devices.

Our Impact

Backed by $1.4 billion in combined funding from DARPA, Texas state initiatives, and strategic partners, we are building foundational capabilities in advanced packaging and integrated design infrastructure to restore U.S. leadership in microelectronics manufacturing.

Our Technology

Our 3DHI and chiplet integration platforms integrate novel thermal management and advanced interconnect solutions to deliver unprecedented performance and energy efficiency. Operating at the intersection of defense electronics and commercial markets, TIE offers a rare opportunity to reimagine an industry from the ground up and build transformative products with global impact.

UT Austin, recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers, provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card
• For more details, please see Benefits | Human Resources and UT Austin Employee Experience | Human Resources  and UT Austin Employee Experience | Human Resources

Purpose

This role will develop advanced RF and mixed-signal microsystems for high-performance communication, radar, and sensing applications. This includes defining RF front-end architectures, leading EM/circuit co-simulation, overseeing RF testing, and collaborating with partners to define design enablement requirements for next-generation RF packaging.

Responsibilities

• Architect RF and mixed-signal microsystems operating across K-band (18–27 GHz), Ka-band (27–40 GHz), and W-band (75–110 GHz) for high-performance, low-latency communication, radar, and sensing applications.
• Define and drive RF front-end architectures, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, phase shifters, and T/R modules, optimized for 3.0D integration and advanced packaging flows.
• Collaborate with device, packaging, and digital architects to achieve co-optimization of RF, thermal, and mechanical performance within heterogeneous multi-die systems.
• Lead EM/circuit co-simulation and system-level modeling using tools such as HFSS, ADS, AWR, or CST to validate and tune design performance across process corners and temperature.
• Oversee RF testing, characterization, and calibration at wafer, die, and module levels—developing test plans, de-embedding strategies, and measurement automation for K/W-band hardware.
• Engage with foundry, EDA, and metrology partners to define design enablement requirements for next-generation RF packaging (e.g., hybrid bonding, AiP, glass/Si interposers).
• Author technical documentation, reference designs, and design guidelines to accelerate ecosystem adoption of TIE’s 3.0D RF microsystems platform.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related discipline focused on RF, microwave, or millimeter-wave design.
• At least 8 years of hands-on experience designing, simulating, and testing RF/microwave ICs or modules (K-band and above).
• Deep expertise in S-parameter characterization, on-wafer measurements, vector network analysis, and de-embedding methodologies.
• Proficiency with RF simulation and design tools such as Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, Cadence AWR, CST Studio, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of electromagnetic effects in packaging—signal integrity, coupling, and loss across interposers and redistribution layers.
• Proven track record in RF testing automation, data analysis, and test correlation between EM models and measured results.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with device, packaging, EDA, and system teams in a fast-moving R&D environment.
• Location: Austin, Texas is preferred for close collaboration with our engineering teams and partners. Hybrid work arrangements may be possible with travel up to 30–50%. Such arrangements are subject to University review and approval in relation to jurisdictional employment-related laws, rules, and regulations.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph,D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related discipline focused on RF, microwave, or millimeter-wave design.
• More than 8 years of hands-on experience designing, simulating, and testing RF/microwave ICs or modules (K-band and above).
• Experience developing Antenna-in-Package (AiP), RFIC/SiP, or 3D-stacked RF front-end modules for advanced communications or sensing.
• Familiarity with 3DHI design flows and RF/mixed-signal co-simulation using advanced EDA environments (Cadence, Synopsys, Siemens, Ansys).
• Hands-on experience with wafer-level probing, cryogenic testing, or thermal-vacuum characterization for high-frequency systems.
• Knowledge of GaAs, GaN, SiGe, or CMOS RF processes, and packaging constraints for high-frequency operation
• Publication or patent record in millimeter-wave circuits, antennas, or RF packaging.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills for industry and defense-sector collaborations.

Salary Range

TIE pays industry-competitive salaries.

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around chemicals
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity (ex: using a mouse)

Work Shift

• Monday - Friday is 8am to 5pm, or flexible between 7am and 6pm.
• Hybrid work arrangements may be possible, with travel up to 30–50% as needed. Any flexible arrangement would be subject to university policies and approval regarding employment laws and regulations.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest (optional)

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position may have the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, dependent upon the job profile you qualify for, and subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.