Device Engineer II (RF/EMC)

alarmcom; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Alarm.com is seeking an RF/EMC engineer to join the Device Engineering team in Tysons, VA. You will lead RF performance and EMC testing for multi-radio hardware, optimize antenna matching, and support regulatory certifications for FCC, ISED, and CE/RED.

You’ll collaborate with senior engineers to design, test, and validate wireless modules (LTE/Cat-M, NB-IoT, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa) in an agile environment and continuously improve test automation and data processing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical field with RF/EMC coursework or experience.
• 2+ years of hands-on RF or EMC testing; graduate research and co-ops count.
• Ability to scope work, run tests independently, and communicate progress early.
• RF and EMC test results analysis and ability to explain results to non-RF team members.
• Hands-on use of spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, oscilloscopes, DC power analyzers, and cellular testers.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan and perform RF performance and EMC pre-compliance testing on multi-radio hardware against product specs and regulatory requirements (FCC, ISED, CE/RED).
• Document and analyze results; communicate impact to design and program teams.
• Design and tune antenna matching networks and characterize antennas in the product enclosure.
• Participate in schematic and layout reviews of RF front ends, antennas, and EMI-sensitive circuits.
• Troubleshoot RF performance and EMC failures; propose design changes and verify on bench.
• Contribute RF circuit blocks and run simulations with senior engineers.
• Support certification testing: prepare samples, write test instructions, witness testing at external labs.
• Automate measurements to increase throughput; use AI/software tools.

Skills

RF testing

EMC testing

Communication skills

Schematic reading

PCB layouts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

DC power analyzers

Altium

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Alarm.com is a rapidly expanding technology company developing innovative cloud and device solutions across a wide range of cutting edge technologies that provide a unified, connected service to millions of residential and commercial properties in the US and abroad. We are looking for a talented and passionate RF/EMC engineer to join the Device Engineering team and help us define the future of the Internet-of-Things for residential and commercial properties by creating and integrating devices including security panels, networking gateways, and video cameras. You will be working with a team of talented engineers across a diverse set of technological backgrounds to design devices, build and manufacture hardware, architect and implement software, and collaborate in an agile and fast-paced environment.

You will work on cellular (LTE, Cat-M, NB-IoT, RedCap), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, and sub-GHz radios in security, sensing, and life-safety devices. About two-thirds of the role is RF performance and EMC testing and verification, done independently. The other third is design: matching antennas, reviewing RF and EMI-sensitive circuits, and turning test failures into design fixes, working with senior RF engineers who will grow you into simulation and RF circuit design.

What You’ll Learn and Work On

• RF performance testing, conducted and over-the-air: TRP/TIS, output power, spectrum, and receiver sensitivity.
• EMC pre-compliance testing and debugging: radiated and conducted emissions and immunity.
• Antenna matching, characterization, and placement in the product enclosure.
• RF front-end and EMI design reviews, and design fixes proven on the bench.
• Antenna and EMI simulation with Ansys HFSS and SIwave.
• Regulatory certification support (FCC, ISED, CE/RED) at external laboratories.
• Test automation for repeatable measurements.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan and perform RF performance and EMC pre-compliance testing on multi-radio hardware against product specifications and regulatory requirements (FCC, ISED, CE/RED).
• Document and analyze results; state the impact on product performance and communicate findings to design and program teams.
• Design and tune antenna matching networks, single- and multi-band, and characterize antennas in the product enclosure.
• Participate in schematic and layout reviews of RF front ends, antennas, and EMI-sensitive circuits.
• Troubleshoot RF performance and EMC failures, propose design changes, and verify them on the bench.
• Contribute RF circuit blocks and run antenna and EMI simulations with senior engineers.
• Support certification testing: prepare samples, write test instructions, and witness testing at external laboratories.
• Automate repeated measurements to increase test throughput and reliability, using AI and software tools.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate with others to ensure the timely delivery of projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field, with coursework or experience in RF, microwave, or EMC.
• 2+ years of hands-on RF or EMC testing; graduate research and co-ops count.
• Works independently: scopes its own work, follows through, and communicates progress and blockers early.
• RF and EMC test results analysis and able to explain results to non-RF team members.
• Hands-on use of spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, DC power analyzers, and cellular communication testers.
• Designs single-band impedance matching networks from VNA measurements using Smith chart fundamentals.
• Understands the types and sources of EMI and common mitigation: filtering, shielding, grounding, and layout.
• Experience reading schematics and PCB layouts.
• Familiar with cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and sub-GHz IoT protocols.
• Clear written and verbal communication of results to design and program teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Multi-band antenna matching and antenna characterization (efficiency, gain, pattern) in an anechoic chamber.
• Electromagnetic simulation with Ansys HFSS, SIwave, or similar tools.
• Schematic capture or PCB layout of RF circuits, e.g. in Altium.
• Regulatory certification processes and standards (FCC, ISED, CE/RED) and preparing devices for external laboratories.
• Python scripting to automate lab tests and data processing, including with AI-assisted tools.

Please note that sponsorship of new applicants for employment authorization, or any other immigration-related support, is not available for this position at this time.

WHY WORK FOR ALARM.COM ?

Collaborate with outstanding people: We hire only the best. Our standards are high and our employees enjoy working alongside other high achievers.

Make an immediate impact: New employees can expect to be given real responsibility for bringing new technologies