MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Program RF Engineer

Q: What are the educational and experience prerequisites for this Program RF Engineer role?

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and high‑level engineering/research experience is also accepted. You need a minimum of two years of demonstrable RF engineering or microwave systems experience , including design, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission and receiver systems. Proficiency with CAD , circuit simulation , and RF analysis software is essential.

Q: Where is the position located, and who will I work with?

The role is stationed at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, California , operated by General Atomics . You will collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center , fellow engineers, physicists, technicians, students, and external collaborators. While your employer is MIT, your primary workplace is the fusion facility in San Diego.

Q: What does a typical day look like for a Program RF Engineer?

You will engage in engineering design, testing, and maintenance of RF transmitters, high-voltage power supplies, low‑level RF systems, controls, and microwave diagnostics for the fusion experiment. Daily tasks include system integration , troubleshooting , quality assurance , and preparing technical documentation. You will also participate in planning and improvement of system performance and reliability. Explore similar roles in research engineering .

Q: Is prior fusion energy experience required?

Direct fusion energy experience is not explicitly required. However, strong RF engineering and microwave systems expertise is mandatory. Candidates with backgrounds in related fields—such as plasma physics , accelerator technology , or high‑voltage engineering —are highly valued. On‑the‑job learning will deepen your exposure to magnetic confinement fusion and current drive techniques .

Q: Are there opportunities for professional growth and publication?

Yes, this position may include contributions to technical presentations , conference proceedings , and peer‑reviewed publications . You can build a strong research profile in plasma physics and fusion engineering while working at one of the world’s premier fusion research facilities. The collaborative environment offers excellent chances for career development and networking.

Q: How do I apply and what is the deadline?

Applications must be submitted by October 11, 2026 . Prepare a comprehensive CV and cover letter highlighting your RF engineering experience . The full job description and application procedures are available on the MIT PSFC careers page . For more staff administration roles, browse administration jobs on AcademicJobs.com.

Closes: Oct 11, 2026

Salary: $73,000 – $111,000 per year

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Posting Description

PROGRAM RF ENGINEER, Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), will provide engineering support for the RF transmitter, associated power supplies, controls, and microwave systems supporting the High-Field-Side Lower Hybrid Current Drive experimentally based research project at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego. The position supports the implementation, operation, maintenance, testing, and improvement of RF transmitter systems, high-voltage power supplies, low-level RF systems, controls, and microwave diagnostics. The Program RF Engineer I will contribute to engineering design, modeling, analysis, system integration, troubleshooting, quality assurance, documentation, and technical recommendations to improve system performance and reliability; and work as part of a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, technicians, students, General Atomics personnel, external collaborators, and vendors. The position may contribute to technical presentations, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed publications.

The full job description is available here: https://www.psfc.mit.edu/about/careers/

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant high-level engineering/research experience; a minimum of two years of relevant experience in RF engineering, microwave systems, or a closely related engineering field; experience designing, testing, operating, and troubleshooting microwave transmission and receiver systems; experience with RF transmitters, microwave components, transmission lines, diagnostics, instrumentation, controls, or related systems; proficiency with CAD, circuit simulation, and RF analysis software; and ability to conduct engineering analysis, interpret technical data, identify potential problems, and contribute to practical solutions; and ability to prepare technical documentation, engineering reports, specifications, test plans, and operating procedures.

The position is located at General Atomics, San Diego, CA.

Job details

Title: Program RF Engineer
Employer: MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: San Diego, CA
Published: Aug 12, 2026
Closes:: Oct 11, 2026
Job type: Full time, Staff / Administration
Field: Other Administrative Positions
Salary: Salary: $73,000 – $111,000 per year

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Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What are the educational and experience prerequisites for this Program RF Engineer role?

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and high‑level engineering/research experience is also accepted. You need a minimum of two years of demonstrable RF engineering or microwave systems experience, including design, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission and receiver systems. Proficiency with CAD, circuit simulation, and RF analysis software is essential.

📍Where is the position located, and who will I work with?

The role is stationed at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego, California, operated by General Atomics. You will collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, fellow engineers, physicists, technicians, students, and external collaborators. While your employer is MIT, your primary workplace is the fusion facility in San Diego.

⚙️What does a typical day look like for a Program RF Engineer?

You will engage in engineering design, testing, and maintenance of RF transmitters, high-voltage power supplies, low‑level RF systems, controls, and microwave diagnostics for the fusion experiment. Daily tasks include system integration, troubleshooting, quality assurance, and preparing technical documentation. You will also participate in planning and improvement of system performance and reliability. Explore similar roles in research engineering.

🔬Is prior fusion energy experience required?

Direct fusion energy experience is not explicitly required. However, strong RF engineering and microwave systems expertise is mandatory. Candidates with backgrounds in related fields—such as plasma physics, accelerator technology, or high‑voltage engineering—are highly valued. On‑the‑job learning will deepen your exposure to magnetic confinement fusion and current drive techniques.

📈Are there opportunities for professional growth and publication?

Yes, this position may include contributions to technical presentations, conference proceedings, and peer‑reviewed publications. You can build a strong research profile in plasma physics and fusion engineering while working at one of the world’s premier fusion research facilities. The collaborative environment offers excellent chances for career development and networking.

📅How do I apply and what is the deadline?

Applications must be submitted by October 11, 2026. Prepare a comprehensive CV and cover letter highlighting your RF engineering experience. The full job description and application procedures are available on the MIT PSFC careers page. For more staff administration roles, browse administration jobs on AcademicJobs.com.

About the employer

MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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