About the RoleWe are looking for a hands-on RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF and mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.
You will work closely with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware, and validation teams to characterize RF performance, validate calibration algorithms, debug complex silicon issues, and build our RF test and validation capability from the ground up.
Responsibilities - Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
- Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
- Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
- Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and identify performance gaps and root causes.
- Partner with systems/DSP teams to validate RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
- Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
- Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
- Contribute to building the RF/mmWave validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test methodology, and automation from the ground up.
- Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.
Qualifications - BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.
- Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave circuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.
- Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave test equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.
- Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.
- Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.
- Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.
- Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.
Preferred Qualifications - Ka-band or higher-frequency mmWave silicon characterization experience.
- Experience with wideband RF transceivers.
- Experience validating digitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.
- Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.
- Experience with RF probing, mmWave fixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.
- Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.
- Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.
- SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.
Compensation and Benefits: - Base salary range for this role is $170,000 - $250,000 + equity in the company
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
