Panasonic Hiring For RF Engineer (Hybrid) at Irvine, CA Full Time

Who we are:

Ever wonder who brings the entertainment to your flights? Panasonic Avionics Corporation is #1 in the industry for delivering inflight products such as movies, games, WiFi, and now Bluetooth headphone connectivity!

How exciting would it be to be a part of the innovation that goes into creating technology that delights millions of people in an industry that’s here to stay! With our company’s history spanning over 40 years, you will have stability, career growth opportunities, and will work with the brightest minds in the industry. And we are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture that will help our organization thrive! We seek diversity in many areas such as background, culture, gender, ways of thinking, skills and more.

If you want to learn more about us visit us at www.panasonic.aero. And for a full listing of open job opportunities go to www.panasonic.aero/join-us/.

The position:

Responsible for providing support and guidance to lower level engineers in the overall design of LRUs which may include sustaining, design & development, layout, analysis, evaluation, prototype build, and testing of mechanical, electronic, and electromechanical components and systems.  Has specific technical project or product responsibility. Designs a complete and complex RF based communications framework system. Apply RF and mixed signal capabilities, RF front-end design, radio propagation modeling and prediction, microwave path analysis, interference analysis and filter design, frequency coordination, analog-to-digital converters, teleport equipment layout, and circuit design.  Defines processes for technical platforms, system specifications, input/output and working parameters for hardware and/or software compatibility. Conceives system interfaces and business application proof of concept. Identifies, analyzes and resolves system design weaknesses. Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across Panasonic productions satellite network. Provides multi-layered technical expertise for next generation initiatives.

Product Design/Development, 3rd party development support and requirements analysis.

• Independently develop and govern appropriate hardware circuit/ module solutions and enhancements for planned RF system (1 to 40 GHz) deployments and improvements.
• Independently research and evaluate RF solutions (L band, S Band, C band, Ku, Ka) for communications and monitoring of Satellite and related communications networks.
• Establish and refine component specification of existing terminals components in terms of meeting overall system requirements.
• Participate with members of management in the design and development of products and analysis of customer requirements.
• Assist in the determination of a problem solution while giving consideration to form, fit, function, weight, product ability, manufacturing, product marketing and cost.
• Help lead the coordination efforts and activities between Manufacturing, Obsolescence, Product Planning and Material Planning departments for the selection and ordering of parts, materials, components, or processes with vendors and suppliers.
• Work with the respective Project Manager, or when required independently, to generate and update Design and Development schedules. Provide technical consulting to peers or immediate management.
• Formulate a design plan or work from technical objectives and overall schedules as specified by senior project staff.

Sustaining Design, Analysis, Build and Test Activities.

• Perform sustaining, design, development and planning including layout, analysis, evaluation, prototype build and testing of mechanical, electronic, and electromechanical components and systems.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative tests to determine properties, characteristics, and performance of materials, circuits, mechanisms, assemblies and systems.
• Design and develop electronic circuits and assemblies including CAD (schematic, layout and simulation).
• Select hardware and material assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements. Record and analyze test data. Verify embedded firmware and higher level software functionality of the product.
• Apply standard mathematical and hands-on techniques, procedures and criteria to engineering assignments.
• Follow all departmental QOP and WI processes to ensure all documentation is generated, completed and released in a timely manner.
• Guide and mentor the work of lower level engineers, designers, and support personnel as assigned. Provides technical direction to members of assigned work teams.
• Assume ownership and responsibility for the product design.

Manufacturing / Operation Support

• Lead efforts to troubleshoot and analyze RF system issues in Manufacturing.
• Provide an alternative components, change BOM and investigate / support supply chain issues.
• Improve yield problem and repair shop support for troubleshoot and RCA (Root Cause Analysis)

Customer / In Service Issues Resolution

• Oversee and manage deployed system performance and in-service performance (SLA, MTBF and more) with intent of recommending and guiding solutions to satisfy our customers.
• Continually and relentlessly pursue improvements for next and current deployments.
• Lead efforts to troubleshoot, RCA, and analyze RF system issues with a proposed solution.

Process

• Provide support in establishing and maintaining procedural maintenance and change management for architectures.
• Work with process /cross functional teams to test and refine architecture configurations
• Ensure change management procedures are adhered to
• Participate as needed in various review boards (Requirements, Architecture, Change Control and more) 

What we’re looking for:

• BS in Electrical Engineering required followed by an MS or Ph D in Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Experience 5-10 years’ experience in areas such as higher mathematics, electronics, mechanics, and circuit design. 8 plus years of work experience with BS degree, 5 plus years’ experience with MS and 1-2 years’ experience with PhD degree.
• Experience with an RF modeling tool such as CST Microwave Studio or Ansoft Designer. 
• Design and optimize RF circuits for complex modulation such as OFDM, mPSK, QAM, etc. {All frequencies bands – L , C, S, Ku, K, Ka). Knowledge of low profile, beam forming antenna for satellite communications.  Knowledge of RF signal distribution, satellite transceiver, cellular telephone RF circuits, WLAN and microwave circuits with frequency range of 10MHz to 50GHz. Knowledge of electromagnetics, antenna, and microwave theory. 
• RF circuits including up and down converter, gain blocks, low noise amplifier (LNA), phase shifter, amplifiers, mixer, phase locked loop (oscillator), RF switches, band pass filters and waveguide. 
• RF development for commercial applications with a proven track record of designs that are currently in production. 
• Ability to lead cross functional, and third party partners teams, to achieve key milestones and objectives for complex projects.
• Highly proficient in designing and developing requirements from specifications, oral instructions, or preliminary sketches.
• Experienced making personal contributions to the success of the Antenna industry by developing highly creative RF solutions to technical problems and/or products.  
• Advanced ability to identify and solve complex problems using analytical skills.
• Advance ability to understand satellite systems, radio signal propagation, RF communications, and Antenna systems including architectural and technical documentation skill
• Ability to provide technical direction to assigned project teams and perform as a technical expert and a source of information
• Ability to integrate information from more than one discipline (Mechanical, Hardware, Software, Product Planning & Manufacturing Engineering) to achieve results or successfully complete difficult and challenging assignments within a specialized field.
• Works with general guidelines but independently determines the best approach for solving a problem.  On-going activities are self-managed.
• Works as an expert/advisor within RF communications systems and cross functional teams, frequently serving as a consultant to peers, customers (internal or external), and management.
• Develops advanced technological ideas and architect their development and integration into a products and systems.
• Able to work independently to evaluate data and quickly come to decisions where erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in failure to achieve critical organizational.
• Serves as organization spokesperson on advanced projects and/or programs independent of management. 
• Hybrid work schedule (Remote / On Campus) depending on project schedules. No relocation
• Domestic and international travel will be required (up to 10%) 

Our Principles:

Contribution to Society | Fairness & Honesty | Cooperation & Team Spirit | Untiring Effort for Improvement | Courtesy & Humility | Adaptability | Gratitude

What we offer:

At Panasonic Avionics Corporation we realize the most important aspects in leading our industry are the bright minds behind everything we do. We are proud to offer our employees a highly competitive, comprehensive and flexible benefits program.

• We offer flexible remote work options depending on your role. Where possible, we offer fully remote or hybrid work opportunities.
• Paid time off: Exempt Salaried employees receive unlimited PTO. This means that there is no fixed number, range, or limit to the amount of Personal and Vacation Days that may be taken for exempt employees. Non-exempt hourly employees accrue 14 vacation days per year + 7 sick days + 3 personal days. Accrual rate increases with tenure. All employees receive 11 company paid holidays per year plus a paid company-wide shut down in the U.S. between Christmas and New Year.
• Insurance: Medical insurance offerings from Aetna and Kaiser (CA &HI). Options for Employee Only, Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner, Employee + Children, or Family. Dental PPO and DMO options & Vision insurance through EyeMed or VSP.
• 401K with 50% match on up to 8% contribution, full vested from day 1
• Other offerings include: Wellness Program, Counseling services, FSA & HSA, Life Insurance for employee, spouse and child, AD&D Insurance, Long-term and Short-term disability, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Dependent Care FLSA, Education Assistance, Commuter Program, Employee Purchase Program, Service Award Program.

All applicants are subject to Company policies, third party customer and worksite requirements, and government requirements, regarding vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19.  Where permitted by applicable law, applicants may be required to be fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, unless they are eligible for and obtain an exemption based on a reasonable accommodation because of a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. While the Company strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccinations, it may require vaccination and/or testing for positions in which third party customer, worksite, or government requirements apply, in accordance with applicable law. At those locations where requirements apply, exemptions will be considered based on applicable law.

Panasonic is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law or company policy. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Pre-employment drug testing is required for safety sensitive positions or as may otherwise be required by contract or law. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

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