Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate / RF & Antenna Engineer

Company Description C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of mobile satellite-based antenna systems. The Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG) and the Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS) at the University of Waterloo, in partnership with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., are launching a one-year research and development project on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments. Funded under Innovative Solutions Canada in support of DND/DRDC, the project will design, build, and operate an instrumented over-the-air (OTA) Ka-band testbed to evaluate three anti-jamming approaches — adaptive array processing (null steering, MVDR/LCMV), blind search-based nulling, and a CRPA-inspired digital sensing array (MUSIC/ESPRIT) — together with resilient air-interface techniques and Arctic deployment scenarios. The work advances the technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 and delivers anti-jamming design guidelines, measurement datasets, and a commercialization pathway through C-COM. C-COM is publicly traded on both the Canadian Venture Exchange (CVE: CMI) and the US OTC Exchange (OTC: CYNSF), offering a dynamic environment for technical innovation and professional growth. Role Description This position leads the RF and antenna design work for the program, with a primary focus on the Ka-band digital sensing array (Thrust 3) and on supporting the integration of the communication aperture with the anti-jamming subsystem. The successful candidate will take designs from electromagnetic concept through prototype fabrication, characterization, and integrated testbed validation. Key Responsibilities • Design, simulate, fabricate, and test a low-element-count, fully digital Ka-band sensing array to be integrated alongside the communication aperture (Thrust 3), and deliver its schematic, layout, fabrication, and measurement package (Deliverable D4). • Carry out full-wave electromagnetic design and optimization of antenna elements, arrays, and feed/transition structures, addressing element spacing, mutual coupling, embedded element patterns, and scan performance at Ka-band. • Design and integrate the supporting RF front-end (matching networks, up/down-conversion interfaces, and receiver dynamic-range considerations) for the sensing array and its interface to the digital beamformer. • Derive design guidelines for terminal arrays with improved anti-jamming capability, including robustness to beam-squint, calibration error, and mutual coupling, in support of Thrust 1. • Collaborate with the antenna-measurement and DSP teams to correlate simulated and measured performance and to feed embedded element patterns into the beamforming algorithms. • Coordinate with C-COM on phased-array panel interfaces, manufacturability, and the commercialization-oriented design pathway. Required Qualifications • PhD in antennas, RF/microwave engineering, or electromagnetics (for the Postdoctoral Fellow level); or an MASc/PhD or a B.Eng. with strong relevant experience (for the Research Associate / Engineer level). • Demonstrated antenna and array design experience, from full-wave EM design (e.g., HFSS, CST, or FEKO) through prototyping and measurement. • Experience designing RF front-end and passive structures, with attention to mutual coupling, matching, and transitions. • Proficiency with MATLAB and/or Python for design analysis, and familiarity with PCB/array layout and fabrication workflows. Preferred / Asset Qualifications • Ka-band or mmWave phased-array and digital-array design experience. • Experience with multilayer/PCB packaging or integration of mmWave arrays, and with manufacturability for production transfer. • Familiarity with SATCOM terminals, CRPA/sensing-array concepts, and beamforming hardware. Terms and Conditions Position type Full-time, one-year term (renewable, contingent on performance and continued funding) Anticipated start September/October 2026 Location University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON); Level Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate, or Engineer (1.0 FTE) Compensation Commensurate with qualifications and experience Eligibility and Security This project supports a Government of Canada defence program. Depending on the role, the successful applicant may be required to be eligible for a Canadian security clearance and to comply with the Controlled Goods Program and applicable Canadian export-control regulations. Canadian citizenship or permanent residency may therefore be required for some positions. Please indicate your eligibility in your application. How To Apply Please submit (i) a cover letter describing your fit for the role, (ii) a detailed CV, (iii) the names and contact information of two to three references to sboumaiz@uwaterloo.ca. Please quote the position title in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.