Four Fastest-Growing Industries for RF/Microwave Engineering

The field of RF/Microwave Engineering is over eight decades old and holds more relevance today than ever before. RF and Microwave components and systems are used in numerous electronic items we use daily such as cell phones, GPS, and microwave ovens. They are also present in many specialized devices and equipment used in professional and military settings.

The future employment prospects for RF/Microwave engineers are bright due to the high demand for these professionals in both the public and private sectors. Let’s examine some of the fastest-growing industries that require RF/Microwave engineers.

1.   Telecommunications Industry

RF/Microwave components and systems are heavily utilized in the telecommunications industry, especially in areas that use wireless communications. Wireless technology was initially developed in the early 1900s with the creation of radios and transponders. However, the major wireless revolution we are experiencing today started in the 1990s with the development of wireless networks.

This led to the creation of devices such as cellphones, pagers, and computer networks that utilized wireless communication channels to transmit information. Such technology was made possible thanks to the contributions of RF/Microwave engineers who designed complex components capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals.

Today, many telecommunications service providers hire RF/Microwave engineers to help create wireless communication devices and advance wireless channels to usher in the 5G revolution. 5G technology has been used in satellite and military applications for many years, but it is being introduced to ordinary consumers thanks to the contributions of RF/Microwave engineers at telecommunications companies.

Some of the leading telecommunications companies hiring RF/Microwave Engineers are:

• Ericsson-Worldwide
• T-Mobile
• AT&T
• Apple
• Verizon

The wireless communications industry has been growing at a rate of approximately 2.8% per year since 2017. This means there will be plenty of future opportunities for RF/Microwave engineers who intend to work in this industry.

2.   IT Industry

RF/Microwave engineers also develop electronic components for the Information Technology (IT) industry. This includes wireless communication systems integrated with internet network systems.

RF/Microwave technology played a crucial role in boosting the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) development. This refers to a new breed of electronic devices with sensors and processors that exchange data with other devices wirelessly or over the internet.

Such technology is used more frequently in both the IT industry and consumer applications. For example, IoT is used for security and quality control purposes in IT centers. It is also used in Smart Homes and the development of Smart Cities.

Some of the leading IT companies hiring RF/Microwave Engineers are:

• Microsoft
• Adobe Systems
• Oracle Corp
• IBM
• Hewlett-Packard
• Nvidia

The United States IT industry has been growing at a rate of approximately 6% per year since 2020. The RF engineers employed in this industry will continue playing a vital role in developing technologies that benefit both the public and private sectors.

3.   Defense Industry

The defense industry has been at the forefront of many vital technological developments over the past century. They were one of the first industries to develop wireless communication systems and have continued creating technology to defend the country’s interests.

Many military electronics systems used for surveillance, intelligence, communications, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance utilize RF systems designed by RF/Microwave engineers. These systems are designed to incredibly high standards as they must perform reliably in demanding land, sea, and air environments.

For example, Electronic Warfare systems use RF signals to seek out and identify threats. They may then use missile systems and guidance systems to perform offensive and defensive actions.

The RF engineers employed by the military industry also work in many specialized applications. This includes developing RF equipment designed to work safely under particular conditions. For example, they helped establish systems with low-smoke cables for submarines.

Some of the leading United States defense contractors that use RF/Microwave engineers include:

• Lockheed Martin
• Raytheon Technologies
• Northrop Grumman
• General Dynamics Corp
• L3Harris Technologies

The United States defense industry is growing at a rate of 2.3% per year. This industry is responsible for many RF/Microwave technology innovations. For this reason, RF engineers interested in working with cutting-edge developments often seek employment in the defense industry.

4.   Aviation Industry

The aviation industry also heavily relies on RF/Microwave engineers to build the components it uses in different operations. Satellite navigation systems such as GPS were built on RF technology and help guide commercial aircraft using precise location information.

The radar systems that air traffic controllers use also rely on RF technology. These systems continuously scan the local airspace and chart aircraft positions in real-time. Modern radar systems assist aircraft with takeoff and landing procedures.

The aviation industry hires numerous RF engineers to design wireless communication components for these radar systems. Many of these engineers eventually work in the military and defense industries due to their overlap with the aerospace industry.

Some of the leading companies in the aerospace industry that hire RF/Microwave engineers include:

• Airbus
• Boeing
• General Electric
• Safran
• Rolls-Royce

The aviation industry is growing at a rapid rate of 11% per year. This industry is a critical player in global transportation, so there will always be a high demand for RF/Microwave engineers in aviation.

Conclusions

As you can see, RF/Microwave engineers can find employment in many different industries. Some of the sectors mentioned above are growing at incredibly rapid rates and are constantly seeking new engineers to drive RF technological developments. Consider looking into the industries mentioned above if you intend to specialize in RF/Microwave engineering in the future.

If you’re interested in gaining qualifications as an RF/Microwave engineer, you can access our IEEE-certified curriculum under the Courses tab. Quaxys offers skill-based RF courses to help bring the RF engineers up to speed with vital RF concepts and gain the knowledge and skills required to solve problems in various industry and research settings.

Our courses are designed using a unique road map that accelerates the learning process and focuses on the primary training areas RF engineers require. To learn more about how we can prepare you and your team for success in RF/Microwave engineering contact us by scheduling a call or emailing us at support@quaxys.com.