Author: Alan Salari
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 cell phones, 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. Although 5G technology has been used in satellite and military applications for many years, it is now 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 grown by 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). 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 the IT industry and consumer applications. For example, IT centers use IoT for security and quality control purposes. 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 approximately 6% per year since 2020. The RF engineers in this industry will continue playing a vital role in developing technologies that benefit 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. It was one of the first industries to develop wireless communication systems and has continued to create 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 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 2.3% per year and 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 relies heavily on RF/Microwave engineers to build its components in different operations. Satellite navigation systems such as GPS were built on RF technology and helped guide commercial aircraft using precise location information.
Air traffic controllers' radar systems 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. Due to their overlap with the aerospace industry, many engineers eventually work in the military and defense industries.
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 rapidly at 11% per year. As a critical player in global transportation, there will always be a high demand for RF/Microwave engineers.
Conclusions
As you can see, RF/Microwave engineers can find employment in many different industries. Some sectors mentioned above are growing rapidly and 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.
To gain 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 RF engineers become familiar with vital RF concepts and gain the knowledge and skills to solve problems in various industry and research settings.
Our courses use 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, schedule a call or email us at info@quaxys.com.