Welcome to the Spotlight Series where AbroadChannel interviews working professionals! Today we are exploring the Electrical Engineering major by sharing an interview with a Senior Engineer working in the telecommunication industry.
In today’s blog you will be reading the experience of Anurag Sarnaik, who is currently working as a Radio Frequency Engineer in a 5G startup called Verana Networks in the US. He is excited to share his journey in becoming a successful Senior Engineer. Let’s dive directly into the interview now.
1. What did you study and what specific courses did you take that helped you in your professional career?
I graduated from Drexel University in 2018 with a Master’s in Electrical/Telecommunication Engineering. My main concentration was Radio Frequency and Microwave engineering and I took the entire 3-course sequence which consisted of analysis and synthesis of RF passive and active circuits and systems, along with antenna design. I also spent some time on independent research on metasurfaces during vacation which has helped me in my career.
2. What was the interview preparation like? What questions do the interviewers ask and how many rounds of interview do you have?
I relied on my academics for the interview. In this field, there are no certification courses like in software engineering or Mechanical Engineering, so you have to rely on the topic and get as much information as possible outside of the curriculum, with respect to the latest trends. The number of rounds of interviews depend on the company. Big companies like Apple, and Qualcomm will have 2-3 interview rounds at a minimum while smaller companies may have just 1 or 2 rounds.
For any RF engineering position, there are certain questions that you may face in an interview:
- What are intermodulation products, IP3 and 1db compression points,s and why their analysis is important?
- What are the sources of errors in a PCB ?? What do spikes on the reflectometer mean?
- What is phase noise and why is it important?
- What is the stability factor?
- Certain questions on Smith Chart are very important.
- Difference between a balun and 180 hybrids.
- HPBW and FNBW if an antenna.
3. How did you prepare for the interviews? What tips can you give to anyone wanting to break into this career?
For an entry-level position, they check your RF fundamentals, which need to be strong. Certain critical concepts which can be used in practical systems like IP3, and intermodulation products should be crystal clear. You should also be familiar with certain simulation software like ADS and HFSS. ADS in particular is the bread and butter for RF circuit design. A 3D simulation software like HFSS is a plus. Some Reference books to study for interviews are as follows:
- Microwave Engineering (David Pozar)
- Radio Frequency and Microwave Electronics(Radmanesh)
- Design of Modern Microwave Oscillators for Wireless Applications (Rohde, Poddar, Bock)
- Antenna theory analysis and design (Balanis)
4. What are the best parts of your job? What things can you disclose about your role that does not fall into NDA?
The best part about working in a 5G startup is the immense learning that you get and experience. I work on multiple things like designing layouts, building PCB, testing, and component selection. The workload is a lot more than any other company. I always wanted to work in the core industry and I am living my dream.
5. What are the different companies that have roles in the domain you are working on? How do we approach those companies and make our profile visible?
There are many companies that have RF engineer positions. Some of them are Apple, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Amazon, Analog Devices, Mini-Circuits, Parallel Wireless, AT&T, Verizon, etc. You can also apply to smaller companies. Please note that while you will be able to find opportunities, they are much less than the ones you find in IT but there is better job stability. You should read the job descriptions and update your resume to increase your chances. For big companies, it’s better to build your network and find someone who can refer you.
6. Any follow-up tips before we leave?
In this field, experience matters a lot. So for a fresher, it’s tough to get in but once you are in, you will have a career for yourself. If you are a US Citizen, you are also eligible to work for positions that require you to have security clearance (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, etc.). While studying at university, please spend some time in independent research or thesis which can boost your resume and get more practical experience. Your professor may also be able to refer you to some companies with which he or she has any research tie-ups or connections. If you are looking for a job as a fresher, it is absolutely great to get experience from smaller companies and start-ups. They will give you the opportunity to build expertise in core technical subjects before going into a leadership role.
We hope you enjoyed reading this interview and found it informative. You can always reach out to Anurag or leave us any questions on our website if you have any follow-up questions. To read other blogs on our website you can go here.
Featured Image Credits: Unsplash