RF Test Engineer Verified today

About the role

The RF Test Engineer owns the design, build, and management of prototype, production, and hardware-in-the-loop test systems for state-of-the-art satellite RF payloads. You are cradle-to-grave responsible for testbeds and test equipment that ensure quality, reliability, and performance of complex RF and baseband hardware: phased arrays, mechanically steered antennas, RF electronics, and modems.

You will partner with hardware design engineers, software engineers, and contract manufacturers to define and maintain robust production test methodologies, calibration procedures, production limits, and yield targets. Within three years, you will have built the factory that manufactures and tests a 3000-satellite megaconstellation delivering secure communications for enterprise and government customers.

Key responsibilities

• Select, procure, deploy, automate, and validate production and hardware-in-the-loop testbed RF test equipment (vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, software defined radios) across internal and contract manufacturer facilities
• Select, procure, deploy, and validate production and hardware-in-the-loop testbed ground support equipment (custom fixtures, RF test caps and hats) across internal and contract manufacturer facilities
• Collaborate with hardware and software design teams to embed design-for-test principles into product architecture from earliest development stages
• Define and create production test procedures and test plans for execution by technicians and contract manufacturers
• Assist with managing and driving qualification and acceptance test campaigns for space environments (vibration, thermal, TVAC, radiation) per MIL-STD-461 and SMC-S-016
• Develop, deploy, and maintain robust test software (drivers, sequences, reporting tools) in collaboration with software teams
• Define and manage production test limits, guard banding strategies, and yield targets; drive continuous improvement to optimize efficiency and reduce cost of goods sold
• Analyze test data and production yields to identify root causes of failures and implement process improvements with engineering teams
• Serve as primary technical point of contact for production test issues supporting contract manufacturers and internal resources

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field
• Minimum 2 years experience in RF hardware and/or test engineering (internship, team project, graduate research, and extracurricular experience are applicable)
• Hands-on experience with RF test and measurement tools: vector network analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and software defined radios (SDRs)
• Proficiency in test automation scripting, data collection, data post-processing, and programming languages (Python, MATLAB, C#, LabVIEW)
• Ability and willingness to travel to manufacturing lines, including foreign countries, to oversee and guide setup of production acceptance testing
• Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills

Preferred qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field with focus on RF, millimeter wave, or antennas
• 2 to 6 years professional experience in RF hardware, production test engineering, or manufacturing test engineering
• Technical fundamentals in RF: S-parameters, antenna patterns and directivity, up/downconverters, amplifier gain, output power, efficiency, and linearity
• Proven experience developing test systems for complex electronic hardware involving RF, digital, and baseband signals
• Experience testing hardware for space environments per SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-461, including vibration, radiation, thermal, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing
• Experience partnering directly with contract manufacturers for high-volume production test deployment and management
• Experience with production tests for space systems, satellite payloads, or aerospace hardware
• Demonstrated ability to drive substantial improvements in production test yield, throughput, and efficiency
• Familiarity with over-the-air testing for antennas in high-volume production environment

Compensation

• Base salary: $140,000-$180,000 plus equity
• Comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, 401k match, paid parental leave, and office amenities

Location

Mountain View or San Diego