Career as a Microwave Engineer in India: Courses, Exams and How to Begin

A microwave engineer designs, builds and tests equipment that works at microwave frequencies, such as point-to-point radio links, antennas, amplifiers and 5G backhaul radios. Daily work includes simulation, bench testing, link planning and fixing interference or signal loss in the field. Most roles combine lab time with some site visits.

The usual starting point is a B.E. or B.Tech in Electronics and Communication, Electronics or Telecommunication Engineering. Look for courses that include electromagnetic fields, antennas and microwave engineering. For specialist or research roles, many students add an M.E. or M.Tech in Microwave or RF Engineering.

Most engineering routes into microwave work need Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, because those subjects underpin electronics and electromagnetics. A Commerce student would usually need extra science or bridge courses before applying to a B.Tech. Check each college's eligibility rules, as they can vary.

No. GATE is not compulsory for most entry-level jobs. It matters mainly for postgraduate admissions, and Delhi University has said it will accept GATE scores for MTech admissions from this year, with CUET-PG as a backup option. Some public-sector employers also use GATE scores, so check each job notice.

Pay depends on the employer, your experience and whether you work in design, testing or field roles. Public-sector, defence and private telecom employers each set their own pay. Salary figures on this page are being verified, so check current job notices and salary surveys before making decisions.

RF engineering covers radio frequencies broadly, from lower radio bands up to microwaves. Microwave engineering is a specialised part of it that deals with higher frequencies, where circuits and wave effects need special design methods. Many jobs use both titles, so read the job description for the frequency range and tasks.

Employers include telecom operators, tower and backhaul companies, equipment makers, public-sector telecom bodies such as BSNL, and defence and space organisations. SAMEER and ISRO centres advertised engineering posts in 2026. Private operators and equipment makers are also common, so compare the type of work and training before you apply.