RF principal engineer H/F

SAGEMCOM; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAGEMCOM is seeking an experienced RF engineering leader to drive end-to-end RF architecture for residential gateways and Wi‑Fi products. You will collaborate with hardware, RF, software, and mechanical teams to deliver robust RF performance from concept to production.

You will lead calibration, EMC, and certification activities, review external designs, and guide antenna optimization and RF testing across the product lifecycle in a fast-paced, global R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Electronics, Telecommunications, or RF/Microwave Engineering.
• 10+ years of RF/Microwave experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and validate end-to-end RF system architectures (Wi‑Fi, Cellular, ISM, DECT) for gateways and extenders.
• Drive trade-offs (performance, cost, complexity, regulatory margin) and support product roadmap decisions.
• Review RF designs from internal teams and external partners (ODM, chipset vendors, antenna suppliers).
• Define RF specifications aligned with customer needs, standards, and FCC regulations in collaboration with HW, mechanical, and system teams.
• Lead RF development including feasibility studies, RF/antenna architecture definition, schematic reviews, antenna optimization, and PCB layout guidance.
• Ensure robust RF integration within constrained mechanical environments.
• Define and apply EMC design rules (layout, grounding, shielding, filtering) at system and product levels.
• Define advanced RF validation strategies: conducted/radiated tests, coexistence, immunity, TRP/TIS, EVM, sensitivity, throughput.
• Develop calibration strategies: lab characterization, manufacturing flows, field tuning mechanisms.
• Perform EMC pre‑compliance to anticipate FCC certification.
• Identify and mitigate EMI sources (power switching, high‑speed interfaces, RF/digital coupling, antenna interactions).
• Work with PCB, mechanical, and power teams to implement cost‑effective solutions.
• Lead radio certification strategy and execution (FCC, BT, Thread, regional approvals).
• Interface with test labs, certification bodies, and consultants.
• Anticipate regulatory changes and ensure early compliance.
• Cross‑functional collaboration with software, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and quality teams.
• Define and review RF manufacturing test specifications.
• Support production ramp‑up and yield improvement.
• Field support & Root Cause Analysis: Lead RF performance investigations from field issues.

Skills

RF/microwave design

VNA measurements

Antenna characterization

CST/HFSS

ADS/AWR

DECT standards

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Python

Education

Master’s or PhD in Electronics/Telecommunications/RF Engineering

Tools

VNA

Job description

Job Overview

• Work on next generation residential gateways and Wi‑Fi technologies deployed worldwide
• Be part of a global R&D organization with strong local ownership and decision‑making
• Collaborate with hardware, RF, software, mechanical, and chipset partners
• See your designs go from concept to mass production
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, innovative, and multicultural environment

Reporting to the HW Manager, you act as RF technical authority for wireless products developed in our US R&D center. You drive RF architecture choices, ensure high‑level RF performance, and secure regulatory compliance across the full product lifecycle, from early concept to mass production and field deployment.

Responsibilities

• Act as RF expert and reference for the R&D organization.
• Define and validate end‑to‑end RF system architectures (Wi‑Fi, Cellular, ISM, DECT) for gateways and extenders.
• Drive trade‑offs (performance, cost, complexity, regulatory margin) and support product roadmap decisions.
• Review and challenge RF designs from internal teams and external partners (ODM, chipset vendors, antenna suppliers).
• Product Definition & Development
  • Define RF specifications aligned with customer needs, standards, and FCC regulations in collaboration with HW, mechanical, and system teams.
  • Lead RF development including feasibility studies, RF/antenna architecture definition, schematic reviews, antenna optimization, and PCB layout guidance.
  • Ensure robust RF integration within constrained mechanical environments.
  • Define and apply EMC design rules (layout, grounding, shielding, filtering) at system and product levels.
• RF Validation, Calibration & Performance
  • Define advanced RF validation strategies: conducted/radiated tests, coexistence, immunity, TRP/TIS, EVM, sensitivity, throughput.
  • Develop calibration strategies: lab characterization, manufacturing flows, field tuning mechanisms.
  • Perform EMC pre‑compliance to anticipate FCC certification.
  • Identify and mitigate EMI sources (power switching, high‑speed interfaces, RF/digital coupling, antenna interactions).
  • Work with PCB, mechanical, and power teams to implement cost‑effective solutions.
• Regulatory & Certification
  • Lead radio certification strategy and execution (FCC, BT, Thread, regional approvals).
  • Interface with test labs, certification bodies, and consultants.
  • Anticipate regulatory changes and ensure early compliance.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with software, manufacturing, test, supply chain, and quality teams.
  • Define and review RF manufacturing test specifications.
  • Support production ramp‑up and yield improvement.
• Field Support & Root Cause Analysis
  • Lead RF performance investigations from field issues.

Profile

You hold a Master’s degree or PhD in Electronics, Telecommunications, or RF/Microwave Engineering.

You have at least 10 years of experience in the following areas:

• Strong expertise in RF and microwave system design.
• Hands‑on mastery of RF lab equipment
  • Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) for S‑parameter measurements, impedance matching, antenna characterization, and RF component validation.
  • Vector signal analyzers for modulated signal qualification (EVM, IQ, phase).
• Extensive experience in antenna characterization in anechoic chambers (microwave bands).
• Advanced use of 2D/3D electromagnetic simulation tools (CST, HFSS or equivalent) for antenna and RF design.
• RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR or equivalent).
• Wireless standards and technologies, including:
  • DECT and related standards.
• Software & Automation
  • MATLAB, Scilab or equivalent for RF analysis and algorithm development.
  • LabVIEW for RF test and measurement automation.
  • Python for automation, data analysis, and test support.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset.
• Ability to communicate complex RF topics clearly to non‑RF stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a multi‑disciplinary and international environment.
• Autonomous, proactive, and capable of driving technical decisions.