Senior Embedded Systems Engineer

FIRST RF; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four weeks PTO

Hybrid work

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) match

Healthcare benefits

Dental & Vision

Job summary

FIRST RF is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems Engineer to design and develop active RF systems for cutting-edge products in Boulder, CO. You will lead projects with small multidisciplinary teams and present technical material to customers, ensuring specifications are met and trade-offs are balanced across performance, cost, and schedule.

The role requires embedding firmware and hardware integration, collaboration with RF and mechanical engineers, and mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
• Experience architecting, developing, and deployment of embedded products from inception to manufacturing
• Experience with embedded firmware development with RTOS or embedded Linux
• Experience with designing and troubleshooting analog and digital circuits
• Proficient understanding of signal processing fundamentals
• Proficiency in Python
• Proficiency with common test equipment including multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to customers, peers, and management
• Up to date with advancements in embedded technology and industry trends, and incorporate relevant innovations into our design processes

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and verification of embedded electronics for active RF prototypes and products
• Architect, develop, and optimize embedded firmware for hardware functionality and system integration
• Direct and perform advanced characterization using RF test equipment
• Oversee schematic development, PCB reviews, and board bring‑up with mentorship to junior engineers
• Partner with RF, mechanical, and production teams to define cross‑discipline interfaces
• Drive troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis and guide design improvements
• Produce design rationales, verification reports, risk assessments, and customer‑facing documents
• Own system‑level architecture contributions including active RF subsystems
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and lead projects for customer presentations
• Lead projects, prepare and present technical materials for customers

Skills

Embedded systems

Python

RTOS

Linux

Signal processing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

LTSpice

Xilinx

RFSoc

DO-178C

Job description

Summary

We are seeking a skilled Senior Embedded Systems Engineer. In this role, you will design and develop active RF systems for our cutting‑edge products. Within your first year here, you will be expected to lead projects with small multidisciplinary teams. This will require you to prepare and present technical material for your customers. You will interface directly with your customer to negotiate and verify specification compliance and guide the work of your team to ensure successful project completion. You will work with your customer and your team to strike a collectively agreeable balance among system‑level considerations including performance, cost, schedule, etc.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and verification of embedded electronics for advanced active RF prototypes and products
• Architect, develop, and optimize embedded firmware to enable complex hardware functionality and system integration
• Direct and perform advanced characterization, validation, and performance optimization using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, logic analyzers, and other specialized electronic/RF test equipment
• Oversee schematic development, PCB architecture reviews, and board bring‑up, providing technical guidance and design mentorship to junior engineers
• Partner strategically with RF and mechanical engineers and the production team to define cross‑discipline interfaces and ensure cohesive product integration
• Drive complex troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis efforts, leading iterative design improvements and guiding the team through critical technical decisions
• Produce and review high‑quality technical documentation, including design rationales, verification reports, risk assessments, and customer‑facing technical deliverables
• Own system‑level architecture contributions, including active RF subsystem design, end‑to‑end performance analysis, and trade‑space evaluations
• Lead and mentor junior engineers, providing technical guidance and expertise to support their professional development
• Lead projects, prepare and present technical materials for your customers

Qualifications

• Required Education and Experience:
  • Must have U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
  • Experience architecting, developing, and deployment of embedded products from inception to manufacturing
  • Experience with embedded firmware development with RTOS or embedded Linux
  • Experience with designing and troubleshooting analog and digital circuits
  • Proficient understanding of signal processing fundamentals
  • Proficiency in a technical programming language such as Python
  • Proficiency with common test equipment including multi‑meters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex technical concepts to customers, peers, and management
  • Up to date with advancements in embedded technology and industry trends, and incorporate relevant innovations into our design processes
• Preferred Education and Experience:
  • Altium, LTSpice
  • Linux, RTOS, Xilinx, RFSoc, DO‑178C
  • Experience with RF test equipment including phase noise analyzer, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, and power meters

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full‑time position at 40 hours per week. Typical office hours include Monday‑Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm; however, these hours may vary based on workload and the manager’s discretion.

Travel

About 10% travel is expected for this position.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. The employee will also regularly be seated at a desk and using a computer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About FIRST RF

FIRST RF is a fast‑growing, multi‑discipline, privately owned small business focused on engineering and manufacturing of advanced technologies—specifically in antennas and radio frequency (RF) systems. We are an energetic team empowered with world‑class facilities and resources. We promote a culture which prioritizes innovation and responsiveness. By making bold investments in the development of groundbreaking technologies, FIRST RF has fielded award‑winning products ranging from revolutionary passive antennas to highly complex, active antenna systems.

Benefits Summary

We offer all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flexible scheduling, hybrid work, tuition reimbursement, up to 6% 401(k) match, and healthcare, dental, and vision plans.

AAP/EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, assignment, re‑assignment, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, and termination. The Company prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment based on race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We support protected veterans and individuals with disabilities through our affirmative action program.