Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

recruyt; California; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative startup is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to spearhead the design and deployment of a cutting-edge software-defined radio platform. This role offers a unique opportunity to blend hardware and software in a mission-critical environment, ensuring real-time awareness and security for high-value assets. You'll collaborate with top-tier professionals from diverse backgrounds, driving the development of next-gen wireless mesh sensing networks. If you're passionate about creating impactful technology and thrive in a fast-paced setting, this is your chance to make a significant contribution from day one.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing SDR systems, including RF front-end and antennas.
• Prior experience building and leading RF teams is essential.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build our SDR platform from analog front-end to software stack.
• Lead systems-level trade studies and prototype hardware for testing.

Skills

SDR systems design

Wi-Fi protocols

mesh networking

systems thinking

prototyping

team leadership

Job description

Stealth-mode startup. Mission-critical tech. Ground-floor opportunity.

Our client is an early-stage, stealth-mode company building a new kind of control plane for the physical world — blending hardware, software, and wireless sensing into one unified system. Their work enables real-time awareness, autonomous operations, and next-gen physical security for high-value assets.

They’re backed by top investors and led by a founding team with backgrounds from Anduril, Tesla, Uber, and U.S. Special Forces.

We’re looking for a Senior RF Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of a modular software-defined radio platform that powers a next-gen wireless mesh sensing network.

What you’ll do

• Architect and build our SDR platform — from analog front-end to software stack
• Lead systems-level trade studies (RF topology, link budgets, SWaP, build vs. buy)
• Prototype and debug hardware for fast iteration and field testing
• Define RF capabilities, constraints, and performance requirements
• Collaborate closely with product, electrical, and firmware teams
• Hire and lead the RF team as we scale from concept to full deployment
• Drive manufacturing and RF system testing at scale

What we’re looking for

• Hands-on experience designing SDR systems (RF front-end, PA systems, filters, antennas)
• Deep familiarity with Wi-Fi protocols, mesh networking, and OpenWRT
• Strong systems thinking : tradeoffs, architecture, and integration
• Prior experience building and leading RF teams
• Ability to move fast, build prototypes, and operate with limited direction
• Bonus : exposure to high-scale manufacturing and ruggedized RF deployment

You’ll define the RF backbone of a mission-critical sensing platform. This is a chance to build real, tangible tech — with autonomy, speed, and impact from day one.