RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer

K2 Space; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Space is seeking an hands-on RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF/ mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.

You will collaborate with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware and validation teams to validate calibration algorithms and build our RF test capability from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation or RFIC test.
• Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave circuits.
• Hands-on with RF test equipment and measurements.
• Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python.
• Ability to work across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.

Responsibilities

• Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
• Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
• Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
• Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Collaborate with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and identify performance gaps and root causes.
• Partner with systems/DSP teams to validate RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
• Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
• Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
• Contribute to building the RF/mmWave validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test methodology, and automation from the ground up.
• Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.

Skills

RF testing

RF characterization

Python scripting

debugging

RF transceivers

systems thinking

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Vector network analyzers

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

Power meters

Noise-figure analyzers

Phase noise measurement equipment

Python automation interfaces

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we’re mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.

The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today’s and tomorrow’s massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF and mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.

You will work closely with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware, and validation teams to characterize RF performance, validate calibration algorithms, debug complex silicon issues, and build our RF test and validation capability from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Bring up and characterize RF/mmWavesilicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
• Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
• Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
• Develop automated RF/mmWavetest setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations andidentifyperformance gaps and root causes.
• Partner with systems/DSP teams tovalidateRF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
• Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
• Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
• Contribute to building the RF/mmWavevalidation lab, measurement infrastructure, testmethodology, and automation from the ground up.
• Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of RF/mmWavesilicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWavecircuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.
• Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWavetest equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.
• Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.
• Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.
• Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.
• Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.
• Ability tooperateeffectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ka-band or higher-frequencymmWavesilicon characterization experience.
• Experience with wideband RF transceivers.
• Experiencevalidatingdigitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.
• Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.
• Experience with RF probing,mmWavefixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.
• Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.
• Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.
• SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary range for this role is $170,000 – $250,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limitedto:knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many otherperks

If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

Export Compliance

As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”

The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.

Equal Opportunity

K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.