Key Skills

Job Description

About pinkRF Are you fascinated by high-power RF and microwave technology and do Smith charts feel more like a useful tool than an abstract concept? At pinkRF in Nijmegen, we develop, produce and supply RF generators, amplifiers and RF systems for demanding high-tech applications. Our technology is used in areas such as plasma generation, advanced material processing, medical applications and sustainable industrial heating. We are a small and ambitious technology company with short communication lines, significant technical challenges and a strong hands-on mentality. Our engineers work close to the hardware: designing, building, measuring, improving and turning RF technology into reliable products for our customers. Role Overview As a Senior RF Systems Engineer, you will strengthen pinkRF's core RF and microwave design capability. Your main focus will be the design, development, characterization and improvement of RF and microwave power electronics, including power amplifiers, matching circuits, transmission structures and related RF building blocks. You should be comfortable taking an RF design from requirements and simulation through prototyping, measurement, troubleshooting and final implementation. This is not purely an architectural or system-engineering position. We are looking for someone who enjoys being close to the hardware: working with RF layouts, Smith charts, S-parameters, matching networks, directional couplers, transmission lines and RF measurement equipment. At the same time, you understand that an amplifier is only one part of the final product. You will therefore also integrate RF building blocks with power supplies, control electronics, cooling, mechanics and software into reliable and manufacturable RF generators and systems. As pinkRF grows, the role can develop further towards technical leadership and RF system architecture. Key Responsibilities Design, simulate and develop RF and microwave power amplifiers and related RF building blocks. Design and optimise matching networks, filters, couplers, transmission structures and impedance transformation networks. Develop new RF solutions and improve existing amplifier platforms and generator technology. Characterise and validate RF designs using practical laboratory measurements. Perform impedance, S-parameter, power, harmonic, efficiency, stability and thermal measurements. Troubleshoot complex RF problems and identify root causes at component, PCB, amplifier and system level. Evaluate and validate RF amplifier modules and other RF building blocks developed internally or by external partners. Translate customer and application requirements into practical RF designs. Integrate RF amplifiers with power supplies, controllers, cooling, mechanics and other subsystems into complete generators and systems. Contribute to the redesign and continuous improvement of existing pinkRF products. Support the development of customer-specific RF solutions across different frequencies and power levels. Work closely with R&D, application engineering and operations to bring designs from prototype to manufacturable products. Document designs, calculations, simulations, test setups and validation results in a structured way. Contribute to technical reviews, design decisions and longer-term RF technology development within pinkRF. Your Profile A Master's degree, PhD or comparable technical background in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Microwave Engineering, Applied Physics or a related field. Several years of relevant hands-on experience in RF or microwave design. Demonstrated experience designing or developing RF/microwave power amplifiers. Strong understanding of impedance matching, transmission lines, S-parameters, stability, RF power delivery and microwave network theory. Experience with RF simulation and design tools. Practical experience with RF measurement equipment such as vector network analysers, spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes and RF power meters. Comfortable moving between simulation, PCB/layout considerations, prototype hardware and laboratory measurements. Understanding of thermal management, EMC, power electronics and reliability considerations in RF products. Experience translating prototypes into robust and manufacturable products is a strong advantage. Experience with solid-state RF power technology, including LDMOS or GaN, is a strong advantage. Experience with RF generators, plasma systems, matching networks or industrial RF applications is a plus. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills combined with a practical, hands-on mentality. Able to work independently and take technical ownership of designs. Good communication skills in English. Dutch is an advantage but not required. Comfortable working in a small multidisciplinary team where priorities can move quickly. What We Offer The opportunity to work directly on advanced RF and microwave technology and see your designs become real products. Challenging RF design problems across different frequencies, power levels and applications. Significant technical responsibility and freedom to influence our technology roadmap. A combination of RF design, laboratory work, product development and customer-specific engineering. A small, informal and ambitious team with short decision-making lines. An employment package in line with your experience and background. An annual contract with the possibility of a permanent appointment. How to Apply Do you enjoy turning difficult RF problems into hardware that actually works? Would you like to design, measure and improve the RF technology behind the next generation of pinkRF products? Send your CV and a short motivation to [email protected].

Core Responsibilities

Design, simulate, and develop RF and microwave power amplifiers and related building blocks. Integrate these components with power supplies, cooling, and control electronics to create reliable RF generators and systems.

Requirements

Requires a Master's or PhD in Electrical/RF Engineering or Applied Physics with several years of hands-on experience in RF power amplifier design. Proficiency with RF measurement equipment and simulation tools is essential.

Benefits

• Employment package in line with experience and background
• Annual contract with possibility of permanent appointment