Research And Development Engineer

ROLE DESCRIPTION

As a Research and Development Engineer, you will contribute to the advancement of our R&D portfolio by supporting the identification and cultivation of research and development opportunities. Working closely with the other team members, you will:

• Conduct research and analysis to identify potential partners, collaborators, and emerging technologies that align with our innovation roadmap.
• Assist in the development of proposals and presentations for potential research collaborations.
• Support the execution of collaborative research projects, ensuring effective communication and coordination between internal teams and external partners.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of intellectual property, including patents, publications, and technical reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in relevant scientific and technological fields.
• Collaborate with other engineers within the organization to translate research findings into innovative products and services.

This role requires a strong understanding of research methodologies, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a passion for innovation. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a proven ability to contribute to successful research and development projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

A Research and Development Engineer specializing in RF hardware development has a diverse set of responsibilities, spanning design, simulation, prototyping, testing, and documentation. Here's a breakdown:

1. Design and Simulation:

• Simulation:
  Using simulation software (e.g., Genysis, LTSpice, …), the engineer simulates the designed circuits to verify performance, optimize component values, and identify potential issues before hardware is built. This is crucial for minimizing design iterations and cost.
• Circuit Design
  : This is core to the role. The engineer designs the amplifier circuitry, including RF amplification stages, equalization, gain control, filtering, and power supply sections. They must consider factors like linearity, noise figure, gain flatness, return loss, and power consumption.
• Schematic Capture:
  The engineer creates detailed schematics of the amplifier circuit using CAD software
  Altium
  . This schematic serves as the blueprint for PCB layout and manufacturing.
• Component Selection:
  Choosing appropriate components (transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.) is critical. The engineer considers performance characteristics, availability, cost, and reliability when selecting parts.

2.
PCB Layout and Prototyping:

• PCB Design
  : The engineer ensures the PCB layout meets signal integrity requirements, thermal considerations, manufacturability guidelines, and cost targets. PCB layout is extremely critical for RF specifications for wideband amplifiers (5 MHz.. 2 GHz and beyond).
• Prototyping:
  The engineer oversees the fabrication of prototype PCBs. They may assemble and solder components onto the prototype boards, especially during initial design phases.
• Testing and Debugging:
  Once the prototype is built, the engineer tests the amplifier's performance using specialized test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes). They identify and troubleshoot any issues, making necessary design modifications.

3.
Test and Documentation:

• Test Plan Development
  : The engineer creates a comprehensive test plan to verify the amplifier's performance against specifications. This includes defining test procedures, setting up test equipment, and documenting results.
• Performance Testing:
  Conducting various tests, such as gain, noise figure, return loss, distortion, and power consumption measurements, across the amplifier's operating frequency range.
• Documentation:
  Creating detailed documentation, including schematics, PCB layouts, bill of materials (BOM), test reports, and user manuals. This documentation is essential for manufacturing, support, and future design revisions.
• Failure Analysis:
  Investigating and analyzing any failures that occur during testing or in the field. This involves identifying the root cause of the failure and implementing corrective actions.

4.
Collaboration and Communication:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  Working closely with other engineers (e.g., hardware, software, manufacturing), technicians, and project managers.
• Technical Presentations:
  Presenting design proposals, test results, and technical reports to internal teams and management.
• Vendor Interaction:
  Communicating with component vendors to discuss technical specifications and resolve any issues.

5.
Continuous Improvement:

• Staying Up-to-Date:
  Keeping abreast of the latest advancements in CATV technology, RF engineering, and amplifier design techniques.
• Process Improvement:
  Identifying opportunities to improve design processes, testing methodologies, and documentation practices.

In short, an R&D engineer developing CATV amplifiers is involved in the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept and simulation to prototyping, testing, and documentation. They need a strong understanding of RF engineering principles, circuit design, PCB layout, and test methodologies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree:
  A Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field (e.g., Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering) is the minimum requirement.
• Master's Degree:
  A Master of Science (M.Sc.) will be advantageous,

Technical Skills:

• RF Engineering:
  A strong understanding of radio frequency (RF) principles, including transmission lines, impedance matching, amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and modulation techniques, is essential for many CATV R&D roles.
• Circuit/PCB Design:
  Knowledge of analog and digital circuit design, including simulation and analysis tools (e.g., Altium / Genysis). Experience with RF circuit design is particularly relevant.
• Signal Processing:
  Understanding of digital signal processing (DSP) concepts and techniques, including filtering, modulation, demodulation, and error correction. This is increasingly important with the digital nature of modern CATV systems.
• Networking:
  Knowledge of DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) is highly valuable.
• Test Equipment:
  Experience with using RF test equipment, such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.

Soft Skills:

• Problem-Solving:
  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential for identifying and resolving technical issues.
• Communication:
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are necessary for documenting research findings, presenting technical information, and collaborating with colleagues.
• Teamwork:
  Ability to work effectively in a team environment, as R&D projects often involve collaboration with engineers from different disciplines.
• Critical Thinking:
  Ability to critically evaluate research findings and technical proposals.
• Adaptability:
  The CATV industry is constantly evolving, so adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies are important.

Experience:

• Internships/Co-ops:
  Relevant internships or co-op experiences in the CATV industry or a related field can be highly valuable.
• Industry Experience:
  Prior experience in R&D, product development, or technical support within the CATV or telecommunications industry is often preferred for more senior roles.

Additional Considerations:

• Certifications:
  While not always required, certifications related to RF engineering or networking can be beneficial.
• Industry Knowledge:
  Familiarity with CATV standards, technologies, and industry trends is a plus.

The specific qualifications required will depend on the nature of the R&D work. For example, a role focused on RF circuit design will require a stronger background in RF engineering, while a role focused on network optimization will require more knowledge of networking protocols and data communication systems. Always check the specific job description for the most accurate requirements.

COMMUNICATION LINES

• Collaborate with:
• Sales Engineers: For integrating the amplifier into larger systems or devices. Joint testing and troubleshooting are often required.
• Software Engineers: If the amplifier has any embedded control or monitoring features. Collaboration ensures seamless integration.
• Test Engineers: Working together to develop test plans and procedures, and to analyze test results.
• Manufacturing Engineers: To ensure the amplifier can be manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. Design for manufacturability (DFM) is key.

• Other R&D Engineers (specializing in related areas): For example, engineers working on power supplies, RF front-end design, or signal processing. Sharing knowledge and expertise is crucial.

• Consult with:

• Senior R&D Engineers/Technical Leads: Their experience and guidance are invaluable, especially during design reviews and troubleshooting.
• RF Experts/Consultants: For specialized knowledge in areas like RF circuit design, microwave engineering, or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
• Component Vendors: For technical details on components, availability, and application support.

• Marketing/Product Management: To understand product requirements and target specifications. Their input helps ensure the amplifier meets market needs.

• Inform:

• Project Manager: Regular updates on project progress, milestones, and any roadblocks.
• Department Head/R&D Director: High-level updates on project status and key achievements.
• Technical Support Team: Providing them with information on the amplifier's features, operation, and troubleshooting procedures.

• Sales Team (if relevant): Keeping them informed about new product releases and technical specifications.

• Accountable to:

• Project Manager: For delivering the amplifier design on time and within budget.
• Department Head/R&D Director: For the overall technical performance and success of the amplifier development project.