Principal RF Engineer
Emerson Electric Co
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Emerson is seeking a Principal RF Engineer for its Test and Measurement Systems (NI), RF R&D in Santa Rosa, CA. The role supports hybrid or remote work, focusing on hands-on RF/microwave hardware design and leadership for multiple RF subsystems.
You will translate customer needs into clear specs, drive testing and verification, mentor staff, and participate in cross-functional initiatives to ensure robust, manufacturable solutions aligned with business goals.
Qualifications
- 8+ years with a B.S. in EE/ECE, 6+ years with a Master’s degree, 3+ years with a PhD
- Proven experience designing, simulating, verifying, and releasing RF circuits or subsystems using industry-standard tools
- Strong proficiency with RF instrumentation such as VNAs, spectrum or signal analyzers, vector generators, and oscilloscopes
- Ability to troubleshoot, simulate, and resolve RF, embedded, or mixed-signal issues at board or system level
- Programming or scripting, with Python required and MATLAB or LabVIEW beneficial
- Excellent communication, critical thinking, and technical decision-making abilities to lead through influence
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex RF hardware or subsystem development with minimal oversight
- Experience defining specifications and acceptance criteria, using RF design and simulation tools, developing test approaches, mentoring engineers
Responsibilities
- Design, lead, or execute RF/microwave hardware work including front ends, LO/PLL, filters, mixers, PAs/LNAs, switches and related circuitry
- Translate customer and RF subsystem needs into clear specs, acceptance criteria and verification approaches
- Use advanced RF design tools to develop robust designs and correlate simulation with measured performance
- Perform feasibility assessments of emerging technologies through prototyping and rapid experimentation
- Assess system-level performance including sensing paths, signal conditioning and RF interfaces (SPI, I2C) when applicable
- Develop test strategies and perform characterization using VNAs, spectrum analyzers, vector generators and oscilloscopes
- Drive work through prototyping, V&V, compliance, NPI and sustaining phases with minimal oversight
- Mentor engineers, lead design reviews and maintain robust documentation and risk analysis
- Provide SME reviews for multiple portfolio projects and influence cross-functional decisions
- Collaborate with Digital, Mechanical, Calibration, Software, Systems, Quality and Operations to ensure product success
- Travel domestically or internationally up to 10% as needed
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Test and Measurement Systems, also known as NI, Product R&D, is seeking a Principal RF Engineer to join our RF R&D team in Santa Rosa, CA in either a hybrid or remote capacity. The role’s baseline scope is hands‑on RF/microwave hardware design and validation with expansion into broader technical leadership.
You are a strategic, hands‑on RF problem solver who brings initiative, sound judgment, and analytical discipline to complex engineering challenges. You will collaborate across disciplines to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions aligned to customer needs and business objectives.
- Viewed as a key technical resource and often the technical leader for the team, frequently advising others.
- Design, execute, or lead RF/microwave hardware and subsystem work, including front ends, LO/PLL, filters, mixers, PAs/LNAs, switches, couplers, and related high‑frequency circuitry to meet specifications and acceptance criteria.
- Translate customer, product, and RF subsystem needs into clear specifications, acceptance criteria, design constraints, and verification approaches.
- Use advanced RF design, simulation, layout, modeling, and characterization tools to develop robust design solutions and correlate simulation results with measured performance.
- 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.
- Develop test strategies and perform characterization using VNAs, spectrum or signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes, and automated test frameworks.
- Drive assigned work through prototyping, development, V&V, compliance, NPI, and sustaining phases with minimal oversight—determining methods and procedures for new assignments.
- Mentor engineers, guide design reviews, promote consistent engineering rigor, and apply or support design controls, risk analysis, and robust documentation.
- Provide subject matter expertise as an independent reviewer for multiple portfolio projects
- 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.
- Networks with key contacts outside own area; influences decisions to elevate long ‑ term product quality and development efficiency.
- Exercise strong communication, judgment, decision‑making, and critical thinking in complex technical environments.
- Occasional domestic or international travel, up to 10%, to support supplier builds, customer evaluations, or factory activities.
- 8+ years with a B.S. in EE/ECE, 6+ years with a Master’s degree, 3+ years with a PhD
- Proven experience designing, simulating, verifying, and releasing RF circuits or subsystems using industry‑standard tools.
- Strong proficiency with RF instrumentation, including VNAs, spectrum or signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes, and related measurement equipment.
- Ability to troubleshoot, simulate, and resolve RF, embedded, or mixed‑signal issues at the board or system level.
- Programming or scripting proficiency, with Python required and MATLAB or LabVIEW beneficial.
- Excellent communication, critical thinking, and technical decision‑making abilities, with demonstrated ability to lead through influence and mentor engineers appropriate to the final level.
- Has demonstrated ability to lead complex RF hardware or subsystem development with minimal oversight.
- Candidates should show experience defining specifications and acceptance criteria, using industry‑standard RF design and simulation tools, developing test approaches, resolving board‑or system‑level RF issues, determining methods for new assignments, and mentoring or advising other engineers in technical execution.
- End‑to‑end ownership from concept to ramp, including DFM/DFT, NPI, supplier engagement, and sustaining support.
- Expertise in SI/PI for mixed‑signal RF boards, grounding and 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, project planning, and verification traceability.
- Familiarity with regulatory and material compliance constraints, including EMC/safety, IEEE, MIL, RoHS/REACH, or similar requirements relevant to our markets.
- Experience with advanced modeling, troubleshooting, and simulation‑to‑measurement correlation using tools such as LTspice, Ansys Designer, ADS, HFSS/CST, AWR, or SI/PI simulation.
- Experience guiding design reviews, strengthening design controls, risk analysis, and documentation practices, and influencing cross‑functional decisions through well‑supported technical rationale.
- Experience improving long‑term product quality or development efficiency through architecture, reuse, validation strategy, or process recommendations.
We recognize that for our organization to support a diverse workforce, we must focus on employee wellbeing. We know that to do your best work, you must have flexible, competitive benefit plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs.
- market‑leading 401(k) and profit‑sharing plan
- variety of medical insurance plans
- 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
- flexible time off plans, inclusive of vacation, holiday, and sick leave
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.
At Emerson, we are a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.
With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.
We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries. Whether you’re an established professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring possibilities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with Emerson. Join our team – let’s go!
We have built an engaged community of inquisitive, dedicated people who thrive knowing they are welcomed, trusted, celebrated, and empowered to solve the world’s most complex problems — for our customers, our communities, and the planet. You’ll contribute to this vital work while further developing your skills through our award‑winning employee development programs. We are a proud corporate citizen in every city where we operate and are committed to our people, our communities, and the world at large. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to make a positive impact through every endeavor.
At Emerson, you’ll see firsthand that our people are at the center of everything we do. So, let’s go. Let’s think differently. Learn, collaborate, and grow. Seek opportunity. Push boundaries. Be empowered to make things better. Speed up to break through. Let’s go, together.
Emerson will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. 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.
Emerson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.
If you have a disability and are having difficulty accessing or using this website to apply for a position, please contact: idisability.administrator@emerson.com .
Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.
With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.
We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries.
The salary/pay range for this role is $180,872--$200,700 annually + bonuses, commensurate with the skills, talent, capabilities, and experience each candidate brings to a role.
No calls or agencies please.
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