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 targeting a €5B European tactical communication market with zero sovereign alternatives today.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior RF/Microwave, SDR & Digital Beamforming Hardware Architect to take a leading role in 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 teamlead experience
- Proven expertise designing C-band (or similar) RF transceiver front-ends
- Strong experience with bi-directional RF power amplifier design,i ncluding 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 datalink
- Lead design and validation of RF power amplifier stages, matching networks, and stability/biasing
- Develop layout-aware RFsubsystems, 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