Principal RF Engineer

FormFactor Inc.•Beaverton, OR

6d•$94,100 - $123,480

About The Position

FormFactor is seeking a Principal RF Engineer to support the development, characterization, and optimization of advanced RF products for high-frequency applications. The role combines electromagnetic modeling, hands-on RF measurement, data analysis, and first-principles engineering to address complex product and measurement challenges. The engineer translates product requirements into engineering requirements and deliverables; develops and validates RF models; characterizes product performance; and investigates irregularities through simulation, laboratory experimentation, and analytical problem-solving. The role collaborates with engineering, design, Advanced Applications, and manufacturing teams, and provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 3 years with a Master’s degree, or a PhD without experience, or equivalent work.
Extensive RF engineering background emphasizing high-frequency applications, approximately 4 GHz to 90 GHz.
Hands-on experience with electronics laboratory equipment and RF measurement procedures, including vector network analyzers and calibration methodologies, or experience with semiconductor test platforms such as Advantest or Teradyne.
Working knowledge of RF characterization principles, including S-parameters, TDR, dielectric behavior, and related measurement techniques, or a strong technical foundation and ability to develop expertise in these areas.
Experience with electromagnetic simulation and RF design environments such as Synopsys HFSS, Keysight ADS, or Cadence Microwave Office.
Skills listed: High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS), High Speed PCB Design, RF Calibration, RF Measurements, RF Simulations, and Vector Network Analyzer (VNA).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with RF calibration techniques such as SOL, SOLR, SOLT, and multiline TRL.
Understanding of cellular RF front-end architecture and components such as power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), and filters.
Familiarity with high-speed digital technologies and components, including transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs), PAM4, and SerDes.
Python experience or demonstrated ability to develop basic scripts for engineering analysis and automation.

Responsibilities

Analyze product requirements and translate them into engineering requirements, specifications, and deliverables.
Use electromagnetic simulation and RF design tools to develop and evaluate models for high-frequency applications.
Plan and execute RF measurements to validate models, correlate simulated and measured performance, and support the transition from modeling to physical prototypes.
Measure and verify new RF products against established design parameters and performance requirements.
Apply RF characterization techniques, including S-parameters, time-domain reflectometry (TDR), and dielectric characterization, as appropriate.
Support RF calibration and measurement methodologies across high-frequency applications.
Identify, investigate, and resolve irregularities in RF device performance using data analysis, first-principles analysis, simulation, and controlled experimentation.
Analyze RF measurement data to identify performance trends, root causes, and design improvement opportunities.
Develop experimental approaches to validate technical hypotheses and resolve RF performance issues.
Correlate simulation, laboratory measurement, and physical product performance to improve design confidence and product robustness.
Collaborate with Advanced Applications to solve customer measurement challenges.
Partner with engineering, design, applications, and manufacturing teams to resolve technical, measurement, and manufacturability issues.
Provide RF expertise throughout product development, prototype evaluation, characterization, and manufacturing transition.
Communicate technical findings, analysis, recommendations, and tradeoffs to cross-functional stakeholders.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff.
Share RF measurement, simulation, characterization, and problem-solving expertise across engineering teams.
Contribute to the development and adoption of RF engineering methodologies, tools, and technical practices.