Description
Research, design, develop, and test radio frequency (RF) and microwave components and systems for wireless communications, radar, satellite, and high-frequency instrumentation. Apply electromagnetic theory and materials knowledge to create RF circuits, antennas, and front-end modules and integrate them into telecommunications, aerospace, and industrial products.
- • Design RF/microwave components, circuits, antennas, and front-end subsystems for wireless, radar, or satellite applications.
- • Analyze link budgets, propagation, and system requirements to determine RF feasibility, capacity, and cost.
- • Develop, simulate, and optimize matching networks, filters, oscillators, LNAs, PAs, mixers, and PLLs.
- • Perform electromagnetic and circuit simulations using tools such as ADS, HFSS, CST, or SPICE.
- • Plan PCB stackups and RF layouts with controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, and isolation.
- • Define and execute RF test plans using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power meters.
- • Characterize S-parameters, noise figure, gain, linearity, ACLR/ACPR, EVM, and phase noise to verify performance.
- • Calibrate and maintain RF test setups, fixtures, and automated test scripts.
- • Inspect and troubleshoot RF hardware and systems to ensure conformance to specifications and safety standards.
- • Prepare design documentation, schematics, BOMs, test reports, and regulatory records.
- • Direct or coordinate build, integration, installation, and maintenance of RF equipment and systems.
- • Develop tuning, alignment, and production test procedures for RF modules and assemblies.
- • Implement design changes to improve efficiency, range, interference immunity, and thermal performance.
- • Prepare engineering drawings and specifications for antennas, transmission lines, connectors, and enclosures.
- • Ensure compliance with FCC/ETSI regulations, EMC/EMI, SAR, and RF exposure limits, and prepare submittals.
- • Determine RF materials, components, and test equipment needs and manage vendor interactions.
- • Evaluate project work for technical adequacy, spectral mask compliance, and coexistence with other systems.
- • Collaborate with mechanical, digital, firmware, and systems teams and with customers or suppliers on RF issues.
- • Recommend repair or design modifications addressing detuning, mismatch, interference, or regulatory limits.
- • Prepare budgets or cost estimates for RF design, fabrication, test, and installation, and control expenditures.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
