Principal / Lead Hardware Engineer – Rf (Hyderabad)

Grid Crest – Company ProfileGrid Crest is a leading Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) in India. We manufacture over 5 lakh smart energy meters monthly with a fully captive ecosystem spanning Design, Development, Validation, Software, and Managed Services teams. With a turnover of ₹600 Crore and exponential growth, we are expanding into smart water and gas metering. Our secure and data-intensive ecosystem is supported by our state-of-the-art facilities in Hyderabad and Kolkata.Job Description & Roles, Responsibilities, Accountability- Principal / Lead Hardware Engineer – RFPosition: Principal / Lead Hardware Engineer – RFLocation: Delhi / KolkataIndustry Preference: Smart Metering / Io T / Telecom / Embedded HardwareRole Summary:Lead end-to-end RF and hardware design strategy for smart metering and Io T communication devices. Drive cross-functional hardware teams and ensure market-relevant product outcomes across multiple design silos.Key Responsibilities:1. RF System Architecture & Trade-off Authority- Architect complete RF chains across:- Sub-GHz ISM (169/433/868/915 MHz)- Cellular Io T (NB-Io T, LTE-M, 2 G fallback where applicable)- Perform first-principles link budget derivation including:- Path loss models (urban/rural, indoor penetration)- Fade margins, interference envelopes, coexistence margins- Define and own:- Receiver sensitivity targets vs power budget- Selectivity, blocking, intermodulation performance- Noise figure cascades and system linearity (IP3/IP2)2. Antenna Engineering & Electromagnetic Integration- Lead antenna selection, design, and co-design with enclosure- Deep involvement in:- Impedance tuning under real housing conditions- Ground plane optimization in constrained meter form factors- Radiation pattern shaping for installation variability- Own:- TRP/TIS optimization in near-field disturbed environments (metal enclosures, cabinets)- Drive simulation-to-reality correlation using:- CST / HFSS / EM solvers vs chamber measurements3. RF Front-End & Circuit Design Authority- Architect RF front-end blocks:- LNAs, PAs, switches, filters (SAW/BAW), matching networks- Deep understanding of:- Harmonic suppression, spurious management- Coexistence (multi-radio interference: cellular + sub-GHz + GNSS)- Define multi-band matching strategies and reconfigurable front-ends4. PCB & Layout for RF Integrity- Establish organization-wide standards for:- Controlled impedance routing (microstrip/stripline)- Return current paths and grounding topology- RF shielding strategies- Own layout reviews for RF-critical designs, including:- Isolation between noisy digital and RF domains- Power integrity impact on RF performance5. RF Validation, Debug & Failure Analysis (Expert Level)- Lead deep debug using:- VNA, Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generators, Network Analysis- Diagnose:- Desense issues- Spurious emissions- Field failures due to environmental variability- Own correlation between:- Lab results ↔ field deployment anomalies6. Regulatory & Global Certification Strategy- Not just execution—strategic ownership- Optimize design for:- FCC / ETSI / CE / BIS / PTCRB / carrier certifications- Anticipate failure modes in:- Radiated emissions- Conducted spurs- Drive pre-compliance frameworks internally7. Metering-Specific RF Complexity- Design for:- Harsh EMI environments (transformers, switchgear, industrial noise)- Deep indoor penetration (basements, meter boxes)- Balance:- Ultra-low power vs reliable connectivity- Understand:- Deployment realities (utility cabinets, dense installations)RRARole- RF System Architect & Authority- Hardware Platform Leader- Cross-functional Technical IntegratorResponsibilities- Define RF architecture across all product lines- Ensure first-pass success in certification cycles- Lead complex RF debugging and field issue resolution- Drive platform reuse and design standardizationAccountabilities- RF performance in field deployments (not just lab success)- Certification success without multiple costly redesigns- Time-to-market impact of RF decisions- Scalability of RF design across geographies and SKUsKey Competencies- Deep RF expertise- System-level thinking- Leadership and decision-making- Cross-functional collaboration Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.in/job/4lwt5f