About Us

Engineering the Next Generation of RF Aperture Architectures

Novaa is an American RF engineering company specializing in advanced RF aperture architectures for aerospace, defense, and commercial markets.

Our expertise spans electronically steered arrays, beamforming architectures, ultra-wideband antennas, millimeter-wave systems, and low SWaP-C RF solutions that enable next-generation communications, sensing, radar, and navigation platforms.

A Decade of Engineering Innovation

Founded in 2016, Novaa emerged from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory's Catalyst Accelerator with a mission to rethink how advanced RF systems are designed. Early recognition came as a two-time finalist in the U.S. Army's xTechSearch competition, selected from hundreds of technology companies across the United States.

Over the past decade, Novaa has contributed to more than 35 defense and commercial programs supporting NASA, the Department of Defense, and industry partners. Working in environments where performance is validated through testing—not marketing—has shaped the engineering discipline we bring to every engagement today.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with a satellite office in Dallas, Texas, Novaa continues to develop advanced RF technologies that transition from research into real-world operational systems.

Key leadership

Markus Novak Ph.D.

Founder, President & Technical Lead

Dr. Markus Novak founded NOVAA RF to advance the state of RF aperture engineering through innovative electromagnetic design and practical system architecture. His doctoral research at The Ohio State University's ElectroScience Laboratory focused on ultra-wideband antenna technologies before expanding into millimeter-wave phased arrays developed in collaboration with NASA.

Today he leads the company's research and development activities across advanced aperture architectures, beamforming systems, deployable antennas, and next-generation RF technologies. His hands-on approach—from concept through design, fabrication, and test—continues to define NOVAA RF's engineering culture.

Robert Russell EMBA

Business Lead

Rob is the business driver for Novaa, leading business development, program administration, and commercialization across the company's contracts and partnerships. Before Novaa, he served as an Army officer with staff and command experience at the division level, and later co-founded and grew a healthcare technology startup through to acquisition. He brings that same mix of program discipline and startup speed to every Novaa engagement.

why work with novaa?

Uncompromised Performance

Novaa focuses exclusively on RF architecture, development, problem solving, and technology transition.

We do not compete with companies developing radios, FPGA processing, digital beamforming software, DSP algorithms, mission computers, or RF manufacturing capabilities. Instead, we design our technologies to integrate seamlessly with their systems.

So, we intentionally partner with these established manufacturers, and other defense contractors and integrators, to establish alliances where each organization contributes complementary skills.

Our role is to strengthen our partner's products, not replace their business.

partnership models

How Would You Like to Partner?

Novaa supports a variety of collaborative models, including:

• Long-Term Strategic Technology Development

• Joint Research & Development

• Subcontract Engineering Support

• Technology Licensing

• Manufacturing Partnerships

• Technology Transition

• SBIR, STTR, and OTA Proposal Teams

Let's start a conversation

Whether you're evaluating new RF technologies, pursuing a government proposal, expanding your product portfolio, or looking for a long-term RF aperture architecture partner, we'd welcome the opportunity to learn about your program.

Every successful partnership begins with understanding the engineering challenge.

Let's discuss yours.