RF Test Engineer Verified today
About the Role
AST SpaceMobile is building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible by standard smartphones, designed to provide 4G/5G connectivity everywhere on land, at sea and in flight.
You will bring up, commission, and validate RF automated test systems used for communications hardware testing. You will qualify test system performance against engineering specifications, provide design-for-test (DFT) and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) feedback during product development, and monitor RF performance metrics to identify trends and anomalies that impact product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Bring up, commission, and validate RF automated test systems for communications hardware
- Qualify and verify RF test system performance against specifications and operational requirements
- Provide DFT and DFM feedback during product and test system development
- Monitor and analyze RF performance metrics, identifying trends, anomalies, and outliers
- Generate reports detailing RF test results, performance indicators, risks, and recommendations
- Perform calibration, validation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of RF automated test systems
- Support root cause investigations of RF performance issues across test, manufacturing, and engineering environments
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams in production, test engineering, manufacturing, and hardware development
- Assist with development and deployment of new RF test methodologies and validation processes
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives for RF test workflows and operational efficiency
- Ensure compliance with established quality standards and testing procedures
- Support transfer of new products from development into production
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline (equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered)
- Minimum 5 years of experience testing RF communications, wireless systems, radar systems, or related technologies
- At least 3 years of hands-on experience with RF laboratory test equipment and automated test equipment (ATE)
- Experience supporting product validation, manufacturing test environments, or production test operations
- Experience troubleshooting RF systems and interpreting test results to identify performance issues
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting aerospace, satellite communications, wireless communications, or other high-reliability electronic systems
- Experience developing or deploying automated RF testing solutions
- Familiarity with DFT and DFM methodologies
- Experience analyzing RF performance trends and manufacturing yield metrics
- Experience in high-volume production or advanced engineering laboratory environments
- Understanding of quality systems, process control methodologies, and continuous improvement practices
- Knowledge of RF subsystem integration and validation processes
Technical Skills
- RF automated test equipment (ATE)
- Vector Network Analyzers (VNA)
- Spectrum Analyzers
- Signal Generators
- RF calibration and validation tools
- RF test methodologies including gain, loss, noise figure, linearity, flatness, and intermodulation measurements
- Data analysis and reporting tools
- Manufacturing and engineering test platforms
- Microsoft Office Suite
Work Environment
You will work onsite a minimum of four days per week with remote work flexibility based on business needs. The role requires hands-on work with RF test equipment and hardware systems in a laboratory environment, use of computers for extended periods, review of technical documentation and test data, and may require standing, walking, and moving equipment within the laboratory.