Senior RF/EMC Engineer

alarmcom; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alarm.com is seeking a senior RF/EMC engineer to own the RF design and compliance for multi-radio devices at our Tysons, VA HQ. You will lead antenna design, RF layout, and front‑end challenges for cellular, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, and sub‑GHz radios in security cameras and life‑safety devices.

You will mentor junior engineers, drive regulatory certification efforts, and collaborate across hardware, software, and mechanical teams in an agile environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with RF focus.
• 5+ years RF/EMC design for wireless products with regulatory certification.
• RF front-end and antenna design for compact products and multi‑band matching.
• Low-EMI hardware design: stackup, grounding, filtering, shielding, high‑speed layout.
• Experience writing RF/EMC test plans and regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Own RF design and performance from requirements through certification and production.
• Design antennas, matching networks, RF layout, and front-end circuits with hardware/ME teams.
• Lead RF/EMC schematic/layout reviews to catch risks before release.
• Resolve receiver desense and coexistence issues with collocated radios.
• Run antenna/EMI simulations to prevent failures and aid debugging.
• Mentor junior RF/EMC engineers and contribute to test methods and guidelines.

Skills

RF design

EMC design

Antenna design

Regulatory testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in RF engineering (preferred)

Tools

Ansys HFSS

SIwave

VNAs

Spectrum analyzers

Job description

Alarm.com is a rapidly expanding technology company developing innovative cloud and device solutions across a wide range of cutting-edge technologies that provide a unified, connected service to millions of residential and commercial properties in the US and abroad. We are looking for a talented and passionate senior RF/EMC engineer to join the Device Engineering team and help us define the future of the Internet-of-Things for residential and commercial properties by creating and integrating devices including security panels, networking gateways, and video cameras. You will be working with a team of talented engineers across a diverse set of technological backgrounds to design devices, build and manufacture hardware, architect and implement software, and collaborate in an agile and fast-paced environment.

You will own the RF design and EMC compliance of multi-radio devices at our Tysons, Virginia headquarters: cellular (LTE, Cat-M, NB-IoT, RedCap), Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, and sub‑GHz radios in security cameras, panels, sensors, and life‑safety devices, often in small plastic enclosures next to cameras and switching power supplies. You will also mentor junior RF/EMC engineers on the team.

Responsibilities:

• Own the RF design and performance of assigned products, from requirements through certification and production.
• Design, select, and place antennas; design matching networks; and define RF layout, keepouts, and front‑end circuits with the hardware and mechanical teams.
• Apply low‑EMI design practices with the hardware team and lead RF/EMC schematic and layout reviews to catch risks before layout release.
• Evaluate and resolve receiver desense and coexistence between collocated radios and platform noise sources.
• Troubleshoot EMI and EMC failures to root cause and deliver fixes proven on hardware.
• Run antenna and EMI simulations to prevent failures and to debug them.
• Write RF performance and EMC compliance test plans; drive products through regulatory and carrier certification and work directly with test laboratories.
• Mentor junior RF/EMC engineers, review their results, and improve the team's design guidelines and test methods.
• Communicate effectively and collaborate with others to ensure the timely delivery of projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, with a focus on RF, microwave, or electromagnetics.
• 5+ years of RF and EMC design experience on wireless products, including designs you owned that shipped and passed regulatory certification.
• RF front‑end and antenna design for compact products: antenna selection or design, multi‑band impedance matching, placement, keepouts, and RF PCB layout.
• Low‑EMI hardware design: stackup, grounding, return paths, filtering, shielding, and high‑speed and switching‑supply layout practices.
• Diagnosed and fixed receiver desense from platform noise or collocated radios, with the sensitivity loss quantified before and after.
• Root‑caused and fixed radiated and conducted emissions and immunity failures using near‑field probes, current probes, and spectrum analysis.
• Electromagnetic simulation with Ansys HFSS, SIwave, or equivalent tools, used to drive design decisions.
• Working knowledge of FCC, ISED, and CE/RED requirements, and experience writing RF and EMC test plans.
• Understanding of the cellular, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and sub‑GHz protocol stacks and how they affect RF testing and coexistence.
• Expert use of VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, cellular and Wi‑Fi communication testers, and anechoic chamber OTA systems.
• Explains trade‑offs clearly to hardware, mechanical, firmware, and program teams; has mentored or wants to mentor junior engineers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with an RF, microwave, or electromagnetics focus.
• Carrier and industry certification (PTCRB, operator OTA TRP/TIS requirements).
• Battery‑powered or low‑power wireless devices; cameras or other products with high‑speed digital interfaces next to radios.
• Schematic capture and PCB layout in Altium.
• Python automation of RF measurements and data analysis, including with AI‑assisted tools.

Please note that sponsorship of new applicants for employment authorization, or any other immigration‑related support, is not available for this position at this time.

WHY WORK FOR ALARM.COM ?

• Collaborate with outstanding people: We hire only the best. Our standards are high and our employees enjoy working alongside other high achievers.
• Make an immediate impact: New employees can expect to be given real responsibility for bringing new technologies to the marketplace. You are empowered to perform as soon as you join the Alarm.com team!
• Gain well rounded experience: Alarm.com offers a diverse and dynamic environment where you will get the chance to work directly with executives and develop expertise across multiple areas of the business.
• Community and Camaraderie: One o