About Invictus Animus

An RF engineering and design firm. We design, build, and test radar and communication systems — everything from PCBs to antennas and radomes.

The Company

Comprehensive RF, from first concept to verified hardware

We provide electromagnetic simulation and design services (CST Studio Suite), in-house fabrication, and a full suite of RF lab equipment — vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and both spherical and planar near-field antenna measurement chambers — with measurement capability up to 110 GHz.

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Maurio Grando

Co-Owner · RF / Antenna Engineer

Maurio designs, builds, and tests instruments that operate in diverse, complex, and challenging environments — space, dilution refrigerators (cryogenic and quantum experiments), even molten salt on one occasion. He has contributed to programs in the national defense sector and brings a uniquely broad toolbox of RF, antenna, phased array, and RF system design knowledge.

Specialties include:

  • EM theory and sensor design
  • RF systems analysis in quantum-limited cryogenic systems (JPAs, JPCs)
  • RF systems analysis for mmWave, radar, and near-field imaging
  • Electromagnetic modeling of antennas, PCBs, and waveguides in CST and HFSS
  • Single-element sensor and phased-array antenna system design
  • RF test equipment: PNA, signal generators, synthesizers, spectrum and real-time spectrum analyzers, pulsed power meters
  • Phase noise estimation and PLL modeling
  • Spaceflight systems integration for high-profile space programs
  • RF environmental testing (TVAC, vibe, cleanroom)
  • RF PCB layout, design, development, and testing
  • Experience leading RF design teams
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Randal Direen, Ph.D.

Co-Owner · Electrical Engineer

Randy is an experienced electrical engineer with a demonstrated history of work within the Department of Commerce as well as the defense and space industries. For many years he worked at NIST in the RF Technology Division, primarily researching near-field antenna measurements. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and currently designs, builds, and tests antennas and radar front ends at Invictus Animus.

Specialties include:

  • Near-field antenna measurements
  • RF systems analysis for mmWave, radar, and near-field imaging
  • Electromagnetic modeling of antennas, PCBs, and waveguides
  • RF test equipment: VNA, signal generators, spectrum and real-time spectrum analyzers
  • Software: MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Fortran
  • RF PCB layout, design, development, and testing
  • Experience leading R&D teams

Work with us

Tell us about your project — we'll bring the simulation, fabrication, and measurement muscle to make it real.

Contact Us