Principal RF Measurement & Calibration Engineer

Alberta Veterinary Laboratories Ltd; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Palitronica is seeking a Principal RF Measurement & Calibration Engineer to advance the measurement science behind Anvil's RF characterization platform. You will lead calibration, de-embedding and time-domain analysis, developing methods to ensure accurate, repeatable measurements across conditions.

The role requires deep expertise in SOLT, SOLR, TRL, multiline TRL, VNA calibration and automated workflows using Python/MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Microwave Engineering or related; advanced research valued.
• Significant experience with precision RF/microwave measurements and VNAs.
• Deep understanding of VNA architecture, vector error correction, S-parameter measurement and calibration error models.
• Strong knowledge of calibration techniques such as SOLT, SOLR, TRL and multiline TRL.
• Experience with RF de-embedding, fixture removal and reference-plane transformation.
• Strong time-domain RF analysis knowledge including TDR and gating.
• Mathematical and signal-processing background; ability to develop measurement algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Own and advance RF measurement calibration, verification, de-embedding and correction within Anvil.
• Develop, evaluate and validate calibration techniques including SOLT, SOLR, TRL and multiline TRL.
• Investigate advanced fixture-removal and de-embedding techniques and correlation methodologies.
• Develop time-domain techniques to diagnose and correct RF measurement behavior.
• Apply DSP and numerical methods to calibration, de-embedding and data-quality problems.
• Create automated calibration, characterization and analysis workflows using Python, MATLAB or similar tools.

Skills

RF measurements

VNA expertise

S-parameters

Calibration methods

Time-domain RF

Signal processing

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Uncertainty analysis

Education

Electrical Engineering / Microwave Engineering degree

Tools

VNA hardware

Calibration software

Automated workflows

Fixture removal tools

Job description

Overview

Palitronica is seeking a Principal RF Measurement & Calibration Engineer to advance the measurement science behind Anvil's RF characterization platform.

This is a deep technical role focused on RF measurement accuracy, calibration, de-embedding and time-domain analysis. You will develop and validate calibration and correction methods that allow Anvil measurements to remain accurate, repeatable, explainable and transferable across systems and operating conditions.

The role combines RF measurement theory, experimental research, signal processing and practical implementation.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical methodology for RF measurement calibration, verification, de-embedding and measurement correction within Anvil.
• Develop, evaluate and validate calibration techniques including SOLT, SOLR, TRL, multiline TRL and other appropriate methods.
• Investigate advanced fixture-removal and de-embedding techniques, including reduced-standard approaches and short-based.
• Develop a deep understanding of the complete measurement error model, including systematic errors, residual errors, calibration drift and repeatability limitations.
• Develop methods to detect, quantify and mitigate measurement drift over time, temperature and repeated system operation.
• Develop and apply time-domain techniques including TDR, transforms, gating and related signal-processing methods to diagnose and correct RF measurement behaviour.
• Apply DSP and numerical techniques to calibration, de-embedding, measurement reconstruction and data-quality problems.
• Develop experiments and reference structures to validate calibration algorithms and quantify measurement uncertainty and repeatability.
• Establish correlation methodologies across instruments, systems, configurations and calibration cycles.
• Develop automated calibration, characterization and analysis workflows using Python, MATLAB or similar tools.
• Work closely with RF modeling, hardware and systems engineers to ensure measured data accurately represents the physical RF system.
• Establish measurement-science practices, validation procedures and technical documentation that can be transferred across engineering, production and customer environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Microwave Engineering or a related discipline; advanced research experience is highly valued.
• Significant experience with precision RF/microwave measurements and vector network analyzers.
• Deep understanding of VNA architecture, vector error correction, S-parameter measurement and calibration error models.
• Strong practical and theoretical knowledge of calibration techniques such as SOLT, SOLR, TRL and multiline TRL.
• Experience with RF de-embedding, fixture removal and reference-plane transformation techniques.
• Strong knowledge of time-domain RF analysis, including TDR and gating.
• Understanding of measurement repeatability, uncertainty, drift and correlation.
• Strong mathematical and signal-processing background.
• Experience developing RF measurement algorithms or automated measurement systems using Python, MATLAB, C/C++ or similar tools.
• Demonstrated ability to take an unexplained measurement effect and determine whether its source is the DUT, calibration, fixture, instrument, environment or analysis methodology.

Nice to Have

• Experience developing calibration or de-embedding algorithms rather than only applying commercial calibration tools.
• Experience developing VNA hardware, firmware, calibration software or RF measurement applications.
• Experience in an RF metrology, test-equipment or semiconductor characterization environment.
• Experience with calibration standards, verification artifacts and uncertainty analysis.
• Publications, patents or significant technical contributions in microwave measurement, VNA calibration, de-embedding or related measurement science.

Export Control, Controlled Goods & Security Eligibility

• This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software, or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and/or the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access, including eligibility for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, and must be able to obtain a Canadian NATO Secret clearance.

Why Join Palitronica?

• Work with cutting-edge technology at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and advanced electronics testing.
• Help protect critical supply chains and infrastructure.
• Join a high-growth company serving some of the world's most demanding industries.
• Collaborate with a talented and mission-driven team.
• Make a measurable impact on the company's growth trajectory.
• Palitronica is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Use of AI in Hiring

Palitronica may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with the screening or assessment of applicants. These tools are used strictly as an aid, and all hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.