Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Staff Engineer with deep expertise in CATV RF and HFC network design, including active device architecture and amplifier design. This role serves as a senior technical authority responsible for the design, optimization, and modernization of broadband HFC networks and the active components that power them. The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of progressive RF engineering experience within the cable telecommunications industry and demonstrates strong technical leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Job Duties

HFC Network Architecture & RF Design

• Lead end-to-end RF design and architecture for CATV/HFC networks including system expansion, segmentation, node splits, and capacity upgrades

• Develop cascade designs including amplifier spacing, tilt planning, equalization strategy, and link budget analysis

• Perform forward and return path design including mid-split, high-split, and extended spectrum DOCSIS implementations

• Support fiber deep, DAA (Remote PHY/Remote MACPHY), and DOCSIS 3.1/4.0 evolution strategies

• Define and maintain RF design standards, engineering guidelines, and performance metrics

HFC Amplifier Design & Active Device Engineering

• Design and optimize broadband RF amplifier stages for HFC applications across 5 MHz–1.8 GHz (and beyond for extended spectrum)

• Develop gain stage architectures including push-pull and GaN/LDMOS-based output stages

• Perform distortion analysis including CCN and NPR performance

• Design automatic gain control (AGC) and automatic level control (ALC) systems

• Engineer equalization networks and slope compensation to maintain flatness across extended bandwidth

• Analyze thermal performance, power dissipation, and efficiency of amplifier modules

• Evaluate noise figure, return loss, isolation, and impedance matching performance

• Support power supply integration, standby powering schemes, and surge protection design

• Conduct simulation and modeling using RF design tools (e.g., ADS, Microwave Office, SPICE-based modeling)

• Lead validation testing including sweep alignment, MER/SNR performance, ingress resilience, and field qualification

• Experience with Altium CAD software tools

Plant Performance & Optimization

• Conduct system-level performance analysis including MER, SNR, group delay, distortion products, and return path noise

• Optimize cascade depth and amplifier count to balance performance, cost, and reliability

• Lead troubleshooting of plant impairments related to active device nonlinearities or misalignment

• Collaborate with operations teams on deployment, activation, and field support

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as subject matter expert on RF active devices and HFC architecture

• Mentor junior engineers and guide technical development of the organization

• Partner with product, operations, and executive leadership on long-term network strategy

• Evaluate vendor components, silicon technologies, and emerging architectures

• Support compliance with SCTE, ANSI, and FCC standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline (required)

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (preferred)

• 15+ years of experience in CATV/HFC RF design

• Direct experience designing or architecting broadband RF amplifiers for HFC systems

• Strong understanding of RF transmission theory, impedance matching, and nonlinear distortion mechanisms

• Extensive knowledge of DOCSIS 3.0/3.1/4.0 and extended spectrum evolution

• Experience with RF modeling and simulation tools

• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with GaN or LDMOS device technologies in broadband applications

• Familiarity with digital predistortion (DPD) techniques

• SCTE certifications (SCTE-T, SCTE-IE)

• Experience leading extended spectrum or DOCSIS 4.0 deployments

• Background in hybrid analog/digital amplifier module design

Location

This position will be on-site based in Duluth, GA.

WHY AOI?

In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs

• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals

• Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year

• Relocation package available within US

• Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.