RF / Mixed-Signal Applications, Test, and Systems Engineer

W3Global; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

W3Global in Pittsburgh, PA is seeking a hands-on RF/mixed-signal applications, test, and systems engineer to move advanced RF silicon from lab validation into customer evaluation and deployment. This highly practical role involves direct work with RF devices, evaluation boards, lab gear, data, and customer interactions.

You will evaluate, characterize, debug, and document components, prepare evaluation packages, write application notes, and guide customers through device bring‑up and performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in RF, microwave, mixed-signal semiconductor applications, or test engineering.
• Hands-on experience testing RF or mixed-signal ICs in the lab.
• Strong familiarity with RF measurements and lab-debug techniques.

Responsibilities

• Support hands-on testing, characterization, and validation of RF ICs and wireless subsystems.
• Develop, execute, and document RF test plans (frequency, power, phase noise, harmonics).
• Set up and operate RF lab equipment (analyzers, meters, temperature chambers).
• Support evaluation board bring-up, debugging, and documentation.
• Interpret test results with IC designers and partners; recommend improvements.
• Create test scripts, data-analysis tools, and automation workflows.
• Prepare customer-facing materials: datasheets, notes, guides, and test reports.
• Assemble complete customer evaluation packages with hardware, software, and procedures.
• Provide technical support to customers, partners, and field teams evaluating RF tech.
• Translate customer needs into practical test plans and product feedback.

Skills

RF measurements

Lab testing

Python

MATLAB

Communication

Documentation

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Phase noise analyzers

Network analyzers

Power meters

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Job description

We are looking for a hands‑on RF/mixed‑signal applications, test, and systems engineer to help bring advanced RF silicon and wireless subsystem technologies from lab validation into customer evaluation and deployment.

This is a highly practical role for someone who enjoys working directly with RF and mixed‑signal silicon, evaluation boards, lab equipment, data, documentation, and customers. The ideal candidate has experience in semiconductor companies such as Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, onsemi, Qualcomm, MediaTek, Skyworks, Qorvo, NXP, Renesas, Broadcom, or similar organizations.

The role bridges internal engineering and external applications work. Internally, this person will help evaluate, characterize, debug, and document high‑performance RF/mixed‑signal components, evaluation boards, and wireless subsystems. Externally, the person will help support customers and partners, prepare evaluation packages, write application notes and datasheet content, and guide technical users through device bring‑up and performance validation.

Key Responsibilities

• Support hands‑on testing, characterization, and validation of RF/mixed‑signal ICs, evaluation boards, and related wireless subsystem hardware.
• Develop, execute, and document RF test plans, including frequency coverage, output power, phase noise, harmonics, spurious performance, supply sensitivity, temperature behavior, and part‑to‑part variation.
• Set up and operate RF lab equipment, including spectrum analyzers, phase‑noise analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, power meters, power supplies, and temperature chambers.
• Support evaluation board bring‑up, debug, modification, and documentation.
• Work closely with IC designers, system engineers, and external partners to interpret test results, identify issues, and recommend design, board, or measurement improvements.
• Create and maintain test scripts, automation flows, and data‑analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar environments.
• Prepare customer‑facing technical materials, including datasheets, application notes, evaluation board user guides, quick‑start guides, reference designs, test reports, and characterization summaries.
• Assemble complete customer evaluation packages, including hardware documentation, software tools, test procedures, performance data, and support collateral.
• Provide technical support to customers, partners, and strategic collaborators evaluating RF silicon and wireless technologies.
• Translate customer evaluation needs into practical test plans, application guidance, evaluation collateral, and product feedback for the engineering team.
• Over time, support advanced wireless transport platforms, including RF/mixed‑signal subsystems, phased‑array, beamforming, MIMO, full‑duplex, and high‑capacity wireless transport technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in RF, microwave, mixed‑signal, semiconductor applications engineering, product engineering, validation, characterization, systems engineering, or test engineering.
• Hands‑on experience testing RF or mixed‑signal ICs in the lab.
• Experience with oscillators, PLLs, synthesizers, RF front ends, transceivers, data converters, power amplifiers, LNAs, mixers, or related RF/mixed‑signal components.
• Strong familiarity with RF measurements and practical lab‑debug techniques.
• Ability to work comfortably across schematics, evaluation boards, datasheets, test setups, measurement data, and customer‑facing technical documentation.
• Experience writing technical documentation for engineers, customers, field applications teams, or product teams.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact credibly with both internal engineering teams and external technical customers.
• Ability to work independently in a startup environment with evolving priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at a comparable RF, mixed‑signal, wireless, or semiconductor company.
• Prior experience supporting customer evaluations, field applications, reference designs, demo boards, evaluation kits, or design‑in activity.
• Experience with frequency‑generation products, RF front ends, radar, electronic warfare, communications, timing, or wireless infrastructure applications.
• Experience with millimeter‑wave or high‑frequency RF systems.
• Experience with automated RF test systems and data‑analysis pipelines.
• Familiarity with defense, aerospace, industrial, wireless infrastructure, or test‑and‑measurement customers.
• Experience helping prepare products for commercial release, including datasheets, characterization reports, evaluation kits, and release documentation.
• Familiarity with PCB layout considerations for RF/microwave circuits.
• Ability to work with distributed engineering teams and external contractors.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a practical, hands‑on RF/mixed‑signal engineer who has spent significant time in the lab and also understands what customers need to successfully evaluate, design in, and trust a new RF technology.

The candidate brings an applications‑engineering mindset: technically rigorous, customer‑driven, clear in explaining tradeoffs, and motivated to help customers succeed with complex RF/mixed‑signal products.