Antenna Engineer

Not too many years ago, every television had a set of “rabbit ears” (an antenna) sitting on top of it. If you maneuvered the rabbit ears in just the right way, you could improve the reception of your program, or maybe even dial in a new channel. Today’s TVs—and cell phones, GPSs, and wireless internet components—all have antennas too, but they are more complex than ever before, which is why we need Antenna Engineers more than ever.

Antenna Engineers are experts in the different types of antennas and what they can do. Although they might specialize in one area, such as military navigational systems, Antenna Engineers have a well-rounded background in the field that allows them to choose the best system for the situation. They also work with different mounting techniques to serve the needs of trucks, remote areas, or one-of-a-kind projects.

This highly technical field requires an electrical engineering degree, which you put to good use when you design a new radar antenna for a submarine, or develop an antenna that results in more reliable communication between a Pilot and the control tower. You might even design systems for a particular use. Say, a customer lives or works in an area with poor cell service. You might design an antenna to be installed on a nearby telephone pole for improved reception.

Typical employers include the government, military, or large corporations. Wherever you work though, your passion for communications and technology allow you to lead the industry through the design of new products.