Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering Intern

City of Boulder • Raleigh, NC

2d • $17 - $22

About The Position

The City of Boulder is seeking a motivated RF Engineering Intern to join its Public Safety Communications team. The intern will work alongside experienced RF engineers to design, test, and optimize radio communication systems used by Boulder’s first responders and public safety agencies. The role offers hands-on exposure to technologies that support emergency response, disaster management, and daily operations. The Radio Services team is bringing in a new radio system, giving the selected candidate an opportunity to observe the design review process, equipment rollout, and cutover-plan coordination.

The internship supports the City’s public-safety communications infrastructure, including base stations, repeaters, dispatch-center radio consoles, and portable and mobile radios. Work includes assisting with system design, field and laboratory testing, RF surveys, troubleshooting, system integration, and technical documentation. The intern will collaborate with hardware, software, and systems engineers to help improve communication coverage, reliability, and performance.

This is a part-time hourly position scheduled for 12 hours per week. The stated full pay range is $16.82–$21.65 per hour; the hiring range is generally from the minimum up to 80% of the range. The application deadline is October 28, 2026.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing trade skill certifications or a degree path in Electrical Engineering, RF Systems, IT Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in contributing to public safety and improving communications systems that support first responders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on optimizing system performance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.
• Basic understanding of RF principles, including signal propagation, modulation, and antenna design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must successfully pass a background check before the first day of work.
• Physical ability and observation skills sufficient to review and prepare documents, operate computers, office equipment, test equipment, and maintenance tools, and work in a maintenance garage and outdoors on ladders or rooftops.
• Sufficient hearing to distinguish sounds from radio equipment and assess audio signal quality.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge or awareness of public safety communications systems or standards such as P25, TETRA, or DMR.
• Amateur radio license.
• Experience with radio systems used by public safety agencies, including repeaters, mobile radios, and base stations; field experience as an end-user is beneficial.
• Prior internship or academic projects related to RF systems, communications infrastructure, or public safety technologies.
• Familiarity with RF testing equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers.
• Current or former public safety Explorer, Cadet, or other volunteer experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior engineers with designing, simulating, and optimizing RF systems for public safety applications, including base stations, repeaters, dispatch-center radio consoles, and portable and mobile radios.
• Support field and laboratory testing to verify that radio communication systems meet performance standards and City requirements; analyze results and recommend ways to improve coverage, signal quality, and reliability.
• Assist with RF surveys and measurements in urban areas, mountainous terrain, and underground facilities to assess system performance and identify coverage gaps or interference.
• Participate in diagnosing RF system issues involving coverage, interference, and equipment failures, and recommend performance improvements.
• Contribute to technical reports and maintain documentation of testing procedures, results, assets, and design specifications.
• Assist with integrating RF components and communications equipment into existing infrastructure and help ensure compatibility with public safety systems and applicable industry standards.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and systems engineers, participate in meetings, and contribute ideas to improve communications reliability for first responders and public safety teams.
• Observe the new radio system’s design review process, equipment rollout, and cutover-plan coordination.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed