RF Architect (RF/Microwave, SDR & Digital Beamforming Architect)

Full-time

Role

Hive Robotics is building Europe's first full‑stack orchestration platform for unmanned systems – connecting, controlling, and commanding multi‑vendor drone and robot swarms. Our RF communication systems are made in Germany, deployed on active frontlines, and target a €5B European tactical communication market with zero sovereign alternatives today. We are seeking a highly experienced Senior RF/Microwave, SDR & Digital Beam‑forming Hardware Architect to lead the development of advanced RF and line‑of‑sight communication hardware for next‑generation UAV and unmanned platforms. In this role you will contribute across the full hardware lifecycle, from concept and detailed design to validation, integration, and field deployment. The ideal candidate combines solid RF/microwave design expertise with a system‑level mindset and enjoys working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver robust, production‑ready solutions. This position focuses on the RF and mixed‑signal hardware architecture of an SDR‑based digital data link, including bidirectional power amplification, antenna/microstrip implementation, and beamforming hardware integration.

Responsibilities

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Electrical / Electronics, Microwave, or Communications Engineering (PhD a plus)
• 7+ years of experience in RF/microwave and mixed‑signal hardware development
• Technical team‑lead experience
• Proven expertise designing C‑band (or similar) RF transceiver front‑ends
• Strong experience with bidirectional RF power amplifier design, including matching, efficiency/linearity, and thermal considerations
• Ability to define complete SDR analog front‑end architecture (PA/LNA, filtering, switching, ADC/DAC interfacing, clocking)
• Advanced RF/EM simulation skills for microstrip and transmission‑line structures
• Experience designing and testing antennas within integrated RF systems
• Familiarity with the hardware side of digital beamforming / phased‑array front‑ends
• Proficiency delivering schematic‑level RF blocks for PCB layout implementation
• Hands‑on lab expertise with VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and RF validation tools
• Knowledge of EMC/EMI compliance standards (MIL‑STD‑461, MIL‑STD‑810, etc.)
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across RF, DSP, FPGA, and embedded teams

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and develop the complete C‑band RF front‑end for an SDR‑based bi‑directional digital data link
• Lead design and validation of RF power amplifier stages, matching networks, and stability/biasing
• Develop layout‑aware RF subsystems, including filters, microstrip structures, and passive networks
• Drive antenna integration, simulation, and system‑level RF testing
• Collaborate closely with an existing DSP engineer to align beamforming algorithms with phased‑array/beam‑steering hardware
• Support prototype bring‑up, debugging, documentation, and transition to manufacturing and qualification

Requirements

Preferred experience (bonus):

• Multi‑channel phased‑array or beamforming radio platforms
• GaN‑based C‑band PA design
• Rugged airborne RF system development
• End‑to‑end SDR transceiver delivery from concept to deployment

About us

We at Hive Robotics democratize local and worldwide teaming and swarming solutions across multiple domains.