Radio Frequency Engineer

TCWGlobal; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TCWGlobal in Carlsbad, CA is seeking an experienced RF Wireless Engineer to design, integrate, test, and optimize wireless connectivity for smart consumer devices. This role focuses on RF hardware development, antenna performance, and system-level integration across Wi‑Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Z‑Wave, and cellular technologies.

You will work closely with firmware, hardware, manufacturing, and QA teams to bring products from development through production, performing bring‑up, debugging, validation,

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Electronics/RF engineering or related field.
• 5+ years designing and integrating RF hardware for consumer electronics.
• Strong experience with Wi‑Fi (802.11), Thread, Zigbee, Z‑Wave, LTE, or similar wireless tech.
• Hands-on antenna design, tuning, impedance matching, and RF optimization.
• Solid RF fundamentals: transmission lines, S-parameters, antenna matching, and RF measurements.
• Experience validating wireless performance across multiple standards and production support.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and optimize RF hardware across multiple wireless technologies (Wi‑Fi, Thread, Zigbee, ZigBee, Z‑Wave, LTE).
• Bring‑up, debugging, and validation of wireless MAC/PHY drivers and firmware.
• Design, tune, and review RF PCB layouts with controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, and antenna keep‑out.
• Collaborate with firmware, QA, manufacturing, and partners to resolve performance issues.
• Develop RF validation plans for protocol performance and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze RF system issues including EMI, desense, ESD, and power consumption.
• Support prototype builds, hardware bring‑up, and production readiness.

Skills

RF design

Antenna tuning

Wi‑Fi, Thread, Zigbee

PCB layout

EMI testing

Firmware collaboration

RF measurements

Schematic review

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

RF Engineering specialty

Tools

Soldering stations

Oscilloscopes

Microscopes

SMT rework

RF test equipment

Job description

Duration: 12-Month Assignment (Potential to Extend or Convert)

Hours: Full-Time

Start Date: ASAP

Location: Carlsbad, CA (Onsite)

Summar

We are seeking an experienced RF Wireless Engineer to support the design, integration, testing, and optimization of next-generation wireless connectivity solutions for smart consumer devices. This hands-on engineering role will focus on RF hardware development, antenna performance, wireless protocol validation, and system-level integration across multiple wireless technologies.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in RF circuit design, antenna tuning, and wireless communications, along with experience bringing consumer electronics products from development through production. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with firmware, hardware, manufacturing, and quality teams to deliver high-performance wireless products.

What You'll

• Do Develop, integrate, and optimize RF hardware supporting Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LTE, and other wireless technologies
• Perform bring-up, debugging, validation, and optimization of wireless MAC and PHY layer drivers and firmware
• Design, tune, and optimize antennas for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GNSS, cellular, and additional wireless communication technologies
• Perform antenna tuning, impedance matching, efficiency optimization, TRP/TIS characterization, and RF performance analysis
• Design and review RF PCB layouts, including controlled impedance routing, grounding, shielding, stack-up design, and antenna keep-out requirements
• Collaborate with Firmware, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and external development partners to resolve product performance issues and ensure successful product integration
• Develop and execute RF validation plans supporting wireless protocol performance and regulatory compliance
• Analyze and troubleshoot RF system issues including EMI, spurious emissions, desense, ESD, current consumption, and in-band noise
• Support prototype builds, hardware bring-up, product validation, and production readiness activities
• Utilize laboratory equipment to perform hardware testing, component rework, soldering, and detailed debugging of RF assemblies

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related discipline
• 5+ years of experience designing and integrating RF hardware for consumer electronic products
• Strong experience with Wi-Fi (802.11), 802.15.4, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LTE, or similar wireless communication technologies
• Hands-on experience with antenna design, tuning, impedance matching, and RF optimization
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals including transmission lines, S-parameters, antenna matching, and RF measurements
• Experience designing RF circuits and supporting system integration, validation, and production
• Knowledge of RF PCB layout best practices, including controlled impedance routing, grounding, shielding, and antenna placement
• Experience validating wireless performance across multiple 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax
• /ah) Strong troubleshooting skills related to RF performance, EMI, desense, ESD, power consumption, and wireless system optimization
• Experience using RF test equipment and laboratory tools, including soldering stations, microscopes, and SMT component rework
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams

Bonus Points If You Have

• Experience with IoT product development and connected consumer devices
• Experience integrating antennas into compact electronic products
• Experience supporting high-volume consumer electronics manufacturing
• Familiarity with regulatory and wireless certification testing
• Experience working with external manufacturing or ODM partners
• Experience developing products on rapid 6–12 month development cycles

TCWGlobal is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious belief, or sexual orientation.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.