Staff RF Desense Engineer

General Motors • Sunnyvale, CA

63d

About The Position

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Staff RF Desense Engineer to join our team. In this senior-level role, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and validating solutions to mitigate radio frequency interference (desense) in complex automotive systems, with relevance to consumer and other advanced wireless technologies. You will play a critical role in ensuring optimal RF performance across infotainment, ADAS, telematics, and wireless communication systems by collaborating with cross-functional teams, troubleshooting interference issues, and driving innovation. This position requires deep expertise in RF principles, hands-on experience with relevant tools and test methodologies, and the ability to provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineering teams.

Requirements

• Education: Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (PhD preferred).
• Experience: 8+ of RF engineering experience, with a 3+ years of strong focus on desense mitigation in automotive, aerospace/defense, or wireless communications.
• Technical Expertise:
• Deep understanding of RF fundamentals, interference mechanisms, and mitigation techniques.
• Proficiency with RF simulation/design tools (e.g., CST Microwave Studio, Keysight ADS, Microwave Office
• Hands-on use of RF test equipment (wireless tester such as Keysight UXM, R&S CMX, Anritsu MT8000A,CMW500, power meters, near field probes, spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators, OTA chambers).
• Knowledge of EMC testing, antenna design, noise mitigation, and RF emissions standards.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis tool such as MATLAB, Minitab, and Microsoft Excel.
• Additional Skills:
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills in high-paced environments.
• Excellent communication skills for collaboration and technical presentations.
• Leadership abilities in mentoring, conflict resolution, and cross-team coordination.
• Adaptability, creativity, and organizational excellence.

Nice To Haves

• Automotive: RF desense mitigation in infotainment, ADAS, and telematics.
• Wireless Communication: RF optimization in consumer devices and wireless networks.

Responsibilities

• Design & Development: Develop and implement innovative RF desense solutions (hardware and software) to ensure robust system performance.
• System Integration: Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software teams to integrate RF systems into vehicles and ensure compliance with performance standards.
• Testing & Validation: Conduct rigorous lab and OTA testing of RF systems; perform sensitivity and coexistence testing (LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, GNSS, Bluetooth, etc.); and validate performance against industry standards.
• Interference Analysis & Debugging: Characterize desense caused by internal aggressors (CPU, memory, power converters, displays, etc.) and external interferers; trace root causes using probes, shielding tests, grounding checks, and layout reviews.
• Proficiency in PCB layout: Working with PCB designer to minimize desense risk in PCB layout such as signal integrity, noise coupling, signal return path and RF grounding.
• Mitigation Strategies: Propose and validate hardware fixes (shielding, filtering, isolation, grounding, decoupling, antenna optimization) and firmware/software fixes (dynamic clock control, resource scheduling, frequency hopping).
• Technical Leadership: Provide expertise, mentorship, and best practices on RF design, desense strategies, and cross-functional debug processes.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare technical documentation, test reports, and design guidelines; maintain case studies of desense issues and solutions.
• Collaboration: Partner with suppliers, vendors, validation teams, and certification bodies (FCC, CE, carriers) to ensure regulatory and performance compliance.
• Industry Awareness: Stay current with RF technologies, simulation tools, and standards to continuously enhance RF system performance.

Benefits

• GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees