RF Design Engineer

Specter

$100K — $140K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of RF hardware design experience on production wireless hardware.
  • Strong understanding of RF principles including transmission lines and impedance matching.
  • Proficiency in EM simulation tools like HFSS or CST.
  • Hands-on experience with RF measurements using tools like VNA and S-parameters.
  • Experience in PCB-level RF design, focusing on stack-up and routing.
  • Familiarity with sub-GHz or ISM band frequencies, particularly 902-928 MHz.
  • Demonstrated project ownership and ability to manage timelines effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Model and design various types of antennas from simulation to production.
  • Develop RF front-end components such as matching networks and filters for radios.
  • Integrate multiple radios on shared platforms, ensuring coexistence.
  • Make critical PCB-level design decisions regarding RF schematic and layout.
  • Characterize antenna and RF designs through extensive measurements.
  • Establish production qualification criteria and collaborate with testing teams.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation including design files and measurement reports.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead cutting-edge RF projects in a collaborative environment.
  • Work with advanced technologies and innovative design processes.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities in RF engineering.
  • Contribute to the evolution of multi-radio integration solutions.
Full Job Description
The RoleSpecter is hiring an Antenna and RF Hardware Design Engineer to own the antenna and RF hardware design that sets the ceiling on our deployment range, capacity, and sectorization geometry. This role takes antenna designs from EM simulation through fabrication, measurement, and production qualification, and supports the broader RF team on PCB-level matching, isolation, and layout decisions.

Responsibilities:
  • Antenna design: Model patch, array, and air-gap antennas in HFSS or CST. Take designs from simulation through fabrication, measurement, and qualification.
  • RF front-end design: Design matching networks, harmonic filtering, and PA/LNA chains for sub-GHz and Wi-Fi radios.
  • Multi-radio integration:Integrate Wi-Fi, HaLow, and other radios on shared platforms. Own coexistence and isolation across co-located standards.
  • PCB-level RF design: Own RF schematic and layout decisions: stack-up, controlled impedance, RF routing, and isolation. Review PCB layouts with the EE team.
  • Measurement and bring-up: Characterize designs on VNA, run S-parameter and radiation pattern measurements, and drive bring-up of new RF hardware.
  • Production qualification: Define acceptance criteria for RF designs and partner with the test team on qualification methodology.
  • Design and IP documentation: Maintain design files, measurement reports, and qualification artifacts.


Qualifications:
  • 3-5 years of RF hardware design experience on production wireless hardware.
  • Strong RF fundamentals: transmission lines, impedance matching, S-parameters, signal integrity.
  • EM simulation: HFSS, CST, or equivalent.
  • Hands-on RF measurement: VNA, S-parameter, and pattern or gain measurement.
  • PCB-level RF design experience: stack-up, controlled impedance, RF routing, isolation.
  • Sub-GHz or ISM band experience (902-928 MHz preferred).
  • Project ownership and timeline discipline, you flag risks early and deliver without being chased.


Nice to Have
  • Antenna design experience: patch, array, air-gap, or other constrained-form-factor antennas.
  • Multi-radio platform integration and coexistence (Wi-Fi + sub-GHz, Wi-Fi + cellular, or similar).
  • 802.11 standards knowledge, ideally including 802.11ah / Wi-Fi HaLow.
  • Anechoic chamber operations or near-field scanning.
  • FCC Part 15 awareness as it relates to intentional radiators.
  • Altium or comparable PCB layout tool familiarity.

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