RF Engineer

Strativ Group; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401k with company match

FSA/HSA

Life insurance

Job summary

Strativ Group in Los Angeles, CA is seeking a hands-on RF Hardware Engineer to translate system requirements into robust RF implementations, validate performance through lab tests and field experiments, and troubleshoot prototype hardware.

You will work with real measurements, simulations, and trade studies, collaborate across systems, power, digital, mechanical and software teams, and contribute from development through production with a focus on RF test equipment, PCB layout, and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 4+ years of RF experience, or Masters with 3+ years, or PhD in a relevant field.
• Hands-on RF test equipment experience (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, power meters).
• Experience analyzing, troubleshooting, and resolving RF circuit performance issues.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and tune RF circuit boards using catalog MMICs (LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers).
• Perform architecture development and trade studies to meet system RF requirements.
• Plan and execute RF testing and characterization at board/module/subsystem levels.
• Contribute to RF test equipment, fixtures, and automation design.
• Collaborate with systems, power, digital, mechanical, and software engineers for integration.
• Provide technical support from development through production and post-production.
• Support simulations (HFSS/ADS/AWR) and RF PCB layout best practices.
• Support PCB layout (Altium) and RF stack-up definition with impedance control and shielding.

Skills

RF fundamentals

RF testing & troubleshooting

U.S. security clearance readiness

Lab measurement interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (RF)

Tools

Altium PCB layout

HFSS/ADS/AWR simulations

Job description

This is a hands-on hardware role focused on translating system requirements into robust RF implementations, integrating and troubleshooting prototype hardware, and validating performance through lab and field experimentation. The ideal candidate is comfortable using simulation tools to guide decisions, but is strongest when working with real hardware, real measurements, and real system tradeoffs. This is a full-time, on-site position in Los Angeles.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, prototype, and tune RF circuit boards incorporating catalog MMICs, including LNAs, power amplifiers, baluns, filters, mixers, and associated bias and matching networks
• Perform architecture development and component trade studies to meet system-level RF performance requirements
• Plan and execute RF testing and characterization, including integration and troubleshooting at the board, module, and subsystem levels
• Contribute to the design and specification of RF test equipment, fixtures, and automation
• Collaborate with systems, power, digital, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure RF designs integrate cleanly within larger systems
• Serve as a technical contributor from development through production and post-production, including failure analysis and field support
• Support linear, nonlinear, and electromagnetic simulations using industry-standard tools (e.g., HFSS, ADS, AWR, or equivalent)
• Support design, analyze, prototype, and tune RF circuit boards incorporating catalog MMICs, including LNAs, power amplifiers, baluns, filters, mixers, and associated bias and matching networks
• Support PCB layout (Altium) and RF stack-up definition, including impedance control, grounding, shielding, and isolation techniques

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 4+ years of progressively responsible RF engineering experience, or a Masters with 3+ years, or a PhD of relevant experience

Required Skills

• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters)
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals and how they add to system-level performance, including gain, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, stability, and impedance matching
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex RF circuit performance issues
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Skills

• Experience with radar, EW, remote sensing, or communications subsystem architecture and performance analysis.
• Experience planning and executing lab and field experiments, including test planning, data collection, and measurement correlation.
• Experience with RF front-end prototyping and integration, including LNAs, PAs, filters, mixers, frequency conversion chains, and antenna interfaces.
• Familiarity with antenna/system integration, EMI/EMC, environmental constraints, and applicable aerospace/defense standards.
• Experience correlating simulation, analysis, and measured data to refine designs and retire technical risk.
• Experience supporting design reviews, customer interactions, verification planning, and transition from development into production.
• Active U.S. security clearance.
• Experience with power amplifier design, analysis, and integration
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC considerations for RF systems and compliance with applicable aerospace standards
• Experience with mixed-signal or RF/digital interfaces
• Knowledge of manufacturing considerations for RF hardware, including tolerance analysis and yield drivers
• Experience supporting production hardware and fielded systems
• Experience with RF PCB layout best practices and design-for-manufacturing considerations

Pay range and compensation package

• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
• Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more