Shift:The regular hours for this position are day shift.
Job Description:FormFactor's RF Products group works closely with leading semiconductor manufacturers to solve advanced test and validation challenges. Our technologies directly enable next-generation wireless and high-speed communication systems-including 5G and mmWave modems, ultra-high-speed I/O interfaces, and RF solutions exceeding 100 GHz.
We are seeking a
Sr. Principal RF Engineer with deep expertise in RF, high-speed digital, and electromagnetic design. In this senior technical role, you will lead complex design initiatives, drive simulation-based development, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to next-generation RF product architectures.
Key Responsibilities: High-Frequency / High-Speed Electrical Design- Design advanced RF and high-speed digital physical-layer interconnect structures using simulation-driven design methodologies.
- Perform system-level RF circuit design, including matching networks, transmission line structures, and power delivery architectures.
- Develop, refine, and optimize electromagnetic (EM) simulation models using industry-standard tools.
Modeling, Simulation, and Validation- Create detailed EM and circuit-level models; perform correlation between simulations and laboratory measurements.
- Conduct power-integrity simulations of complex power-delivery networks (both DC and AC domains).
- Automate simulation workflows to improve repeatability, speed, and data accuracy.
Hands-On RF Test & Measurement- Lead hands-on evaluation using VNAs, TDRs, spectrum analyzers, wafer probers, and other high-frequency instrumentation.
- Mentor engineering teams on measurement best practices, calibration methods, and data analysis.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of next-generation RF calibration methodologies (e.g., SOL, SOLR, SOLT, multiline TRL).
Technical Leadership & Collaboration- Serve as a senior technical expert, influencing architecture decisions and long-term product roadmaps.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams-including mechanical, process, and product engineering-to optimize product performance and manufacturability.
- Provide technical mentorship to engineers across the RF product group and broader organization.
Preferred Education and Experience: - MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience).
- 10+ years of electrical engineering experience with significant focus on RF or high-speed digital physical-layer design.
- Strong proficiency with EM simulation tools such as HFSS, ADS, AWR, and related modeling software.
- Extensive experience using RF measurement techniques, including VNA, TDR, and wafer-level RF measurements.
- Background in PCB design and understanding of fabrication constraints and signal-integrity considerations.
- Familiarity with on-wafer RF calibration techniques (SOL, SOLT, SOLR, TRL).
- Working knowledge of wireless, radar, or digital communications standards (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, PCIe) is a plus.
- Experience in automation, data processing, or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB) is beneficial.
Skills: Digital Communications, High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS), MATLAB, Python (Programming Language), RF Calibration, RF Measurements
Education & Experience: Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required
Pay Range:$115,800.00 - $151,935.00
Pay Range Explained:This role in Beaverton, Oregon pays between $115,800.00 and $151,935.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations. We offer a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and paid time off. You'll also be eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.
