RF Design Engineer

Checkpoint Systems; New Jersey; On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) Matching

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Discount

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Job summary

Checkpoint Systems is seeking an RF Engineer to design, simulate, and validate Sub-GHz and Wi‑Fi/BLE radio systems, plus RF PCB layout. You will own RF front-end, antenna integration, and complex PCBs from concept to lab validation and certification.

You will collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver robust RF designs for retail and industrial environments, supporting production through MTBF and field deployments.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years owning RF designs from concept to production.
• Deep experience with Sub-GHz ISM radios and Wi-Fi/BLE coexistence.
• Experience taking products through FCC/CE certification with minimal NCs.
• Strong RF layout, impedance control, and parasitic management.

Responsibilities

• Design Sub-GHz ISM (850–950 MHz) and 2.4 GHz front ends.
• Own RF zones on multilayer PCBs and define stack-ups.
• Perform S-parameters, matching, stability, and radiation analysis.
• Conduct lab bring-up with VNA, spectrum analyzer, and test software.
• Ensure compliance with FCC/CE/UKCA and document test results.

Skills

Sub-GHz ISM radios

Wi-Fi coexistence

RF layout & PCB design

FCC/CE certification

Antenna integration

Mentor junior engineers

OTA testing

Education

B.S./M.S. in EE or related field

IPC CID certification

Tools

Dassault CST

Siemens HyperLynx

Keysight ADS

Cadence AWR

MATLAB

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for an RF Engineer who can design, simulate, and validate Sub-GHz and Wi-Fi/BLE radio systems and perform RF PCB layout. This is an end-to-end role spanning architecture, simulation, PCB implementation, prototyping, lab validation, and certification (FCC/CE only — no carrier certification).

We build RF/RFID anti-theft technology solutions for apparel labeling, item tagging, and tag readers for retail and industrial environments. You will own the RF front end, antenna integration, controlled-impedance layout, and bring-up of complex PCBs used in our wireless products. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, firmware, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver robust, manufacturable RF designs.

JOB DUTIES:

RF System Design

• Design Sub-GHz ISM (e.g., 850 - 950 MHz) and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi/BLE RF front ends.


• Create link budgets, block diagrams, matching networks, power budgets, and specifications.


• Component selection for PAs, LNAs, filters, switches, mixers, couplers, and RF shields.


• Antenna evaluation and integration (chip, PCB trace, external, diversity).

RF PCB Design

• Full ownership of RF zones on multilayer PCBs.


• Define stack-up, controlled impedance routing, grounding, isolation, stitching, and keep-outs.


• Work directly in Siemens PADS for schematics + layout (not just oversight).


• Lead DFM/DFT reviews and coordinate with fabrication/assembly partners.

Simulation & Analysis

• Use Dassault CST, Siemens HyperLynx, Keysight ADS, or similar tools for S-parameters, matching, stability, and radiation effects.


• Perform EM analysis for antenna tuning and layout-dependent parasitics.


• Support coexistence analysis between Sub-GHz and 2.4 GHz radios.

Lab Bring-Up & Validation

• Use VNA, spectrum analyzer, signal generator, power meter, and oscilloscopes.


• Conduct S11/S21 measurements, EVM checks, output power, sensitivity, desense analysis, and coexistence testing.


• Tune antenna/matching networks and document all tuning steps.


• Support environmental testing (temperature, vibration, humidity) as relevant to RF performance.

Compliance & Certification

• Execute FCC/CE/UKCA and EMC/EMI requirements (no cellular carrier certification).


• Work with external labs for testing; generate test reports and resolve findings/NCs.

Cross-Functional Support

• Collaborate with FW for RF calibration/test flows.


• Work with manufacturing on golden units, calibration constants, and test limit development.


• Support field failure analysis and yield improvements during NPI.

EDUCATION:

• B.S. or M.S. in EE or related field.


• IPC CID certification (plus).

EXPERIENCE:

• 5–8+ years owning RF designs from concept → production.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Deep experience with Sub-GHz ISM radios and Wi-Fi/BLE coexistence.


• Strong proficiency in RF layout, isolation, stack-up, and parasitic control.


• Experience taking products through FCC/CE certification with minimal NCs.


• Experience using Dassault CST, Siemens HyperLynx, Keysight ADS, Cadence AWR, Matlab, or EM simulation (antenna/matching).


• High-volume manufacturing experience (DFM for HDI, low-loss laminates, shields).


• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead design reviews.


• Familiarity with OTA, SAR, and EMC testing environments.


• Work with Qualcomm/NXP/Nordic/TI/Silicon Labs chipsets.

Job Type: Full-Time - Exempt

Pay: $120,000.00-$140,000.00

Benefits:

• 401(k)


• 401(k) Matching


• Medical Insurance


• Dental Insurance


• Vision Insurance


• Life Insurance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Employee Discount


• Paid Time Off
  
• Tuition Reimbursement


• Flexible Spending Account


• Health Savings Account

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday


• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In office

Company Description

Checkpoint Systems, a divi