Principal RF Hardware Development Engineer

Emerson • Santa Rosa, CA

8h • $140,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The RF R&D team is seeking a Principal RF Hardware Development Engineer to
define, design, and validate high‑performance RF/microwave hardware and
subsystems for next‑generation, high frequency products. You will drive complex
RF system development, lead technical decision‑making, and collaborate across
disciplines to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions aligned to customer
needs and business objectives.

You are a strategic, hands‑on RF problem solver who takes initiative,
anticipates risks, and brings strong analytical discipline to complex
engineering challenges. You build deep trust across teams and influence outcomes
through clarity, data, and technical leadership. You work independently on
complex issues, determining methods, and forming connections across technical
areas.

Requirements

• 8+ years with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Computer Engineering or any related STEM degree
• 5+ with a Master's or PhD.
• Proven experience designing, simulating, verifying, and releasing RF circuits/subsystems using industry‑standard tools.
• Strong proficiency with RF instrumentation (VNA, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes).
• Ability to troubleshoot, simulate, and resolve embedded or mixed‑signal issues at the board/system level.
• Programming or scripting proficiency (Python required; MATLAB/LabVIEW beneficial).
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and technical decision‑making abilities; demonstrated ability to lead through influence and mentor engineers.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now and in the future Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. MUST be US Citizen or possess a Green Card

Nice To Haves

• End‑to‑end ownership from concept to ramp; DFM/DFT/NPI and supplier engagement experience.
• Expertise in SI/PI for mixed‑signal RF boards; grounding/shielding best practices and robust layout for isolation and stability.
• Demonstrated research and prototyping to assess emerging technologies and de‑risk architectures.
• Working knowledge of requirements management, risk management, and project planning.
• Familiarity with regulatory and material/compliance constraints (e.g., EMC/safety, IEEE, MIL, RoHS/REACH) relevant to our markets.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead RF/microwave designs (e.g. front ends, LO/PLL, filters, mixers, PAs/LNAs, switches/couplers), translating customer and RF subsystem requirements into clear specifications and acceptance criteria, and using Mentor/Cadence/Altium and advanced EM simulation tools (e.g. ADS, HFSS/CST, SPICE/LTspice).
• Perform feasibility assessment of emerging technologies through research, prototyping, early modeling, and rapid experimentation.
• Assess system‑level performance including sensing paths, signal conditioning, and inter‑device interfaces (SPI, I²C) when applicable to RF subsystems.
• Conduct advanced modeling, troubleshooting, and simulation‑to‑measurement correlation (e.g., LTspice, Ansys Designer, SI/PI simulation).
• Develop test strategies and perform characterization using VNAs, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes, and automated test frameworks.
• Drive concepts through prototyping, development, V&V, compliance (EMC/safety, RoHS/REACH), NPI, and sustaining activities with minimal oversight—determining methods and procedures for new assignments.
• Exercise strong communication, judgment, decision‑making, and critical thinking in complex technical environments.
• Mentor other engineers, guide design reviews, and promote consistent engineering rigor across the team. Apply or support design controls, risk analysis, and robust documentation.
• Build strong cross‑functional relationships, influencing decisions through well‑supported technical rationale. Collaborate with Digital, Mechanical, Calibration, Software, Systems, and Test engineering disciplines, and Quality, and Operations to ensure integrated product success.
• Occasional domestic/international travel (up to 10%) to support supplier builds, customer evaluations, or factory activities

Benefits

• We provide a market-leading 401(k) and profit-sharing plan, a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, family formation benefits in addition to paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more.
• Our culture prioritizes work-life balance and offers flexible time off plans, inclusive of vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Our goal is to offer a strong benefits foundation while allowing employees the flexibility to choose options that best suit their needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees