Senior RF Engineer

Emerson; Santa Rosa (AZ); On-site; USD 181,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) & profit sharing

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Emerson in Santa Rosa, CA is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to lead RF/microwave hardware design and validation. You will solve complex RF challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and drive test strategies with VNAs, spectrum analyzers, and vector generators. Travel up to 10% may be required.

Strong programming in Python (required) and MATLAB or LabVIEW is beneficial; a BS in EE/ECE with 5+ years of RF experience is expected.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of RF engineering experience with a B.S. in EE/ECE.
• Proven ability to design, simulate, verify, and release RF circuits or subsystems.
• Strong proficiency with RF instrumentation including VNAs and spectrum analyzers.

Responsibilities

• Lead as a key technical resource for the RF team.
• Design and validate RF/microwave hardware and subsystems.
• Translate customer needs into clear RF specs and tests.
• Use RF tools to correlate simulations with measurements.
• Assess feasibility of emerging technologies through prototyping.
• Evaluate system performance and interfaces (SPI, I2C) in RF subsystems.
• Develop test strategies and perform characterization with RF equipment.
• Drive work through prototyping, V&V, and NPI with minimal oversight.
• Build cross-functional relationships across engineering teams.
• Communicate clearly and think critically in complex RF environments.
• Occasionally travel up to 10% for supplier and customer activities.

Skills

RF design

RF testing

Python

MATLAB

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/ECE

Tools

VNAs

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Vector generators

RF design software

Job description

Test and Measurement Systems, also known as NI, Product R&D, is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to join our RF R&D team in Santa Rosa, CA. The role’s scope is hands-on RF/microwave hardware design and validation.

You are a strategic, hands-on RF problem solver who brings initiative, sound judgment, and analytical discipline to complex engineering challenges. You will collaborate across disciplines to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions aligned to customer needs and business objectives.

IN THIS ROLE, YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE:

• Viewed as a key technical resource and often the technical leader for the team, frequently advising others.

• Design and execute RF/microwave hardware and subsystem work, including front ends, LO/PLL, filters, mixers, PAs/LNAs, switches, couplers, and related high-frequency circuitry to meet specifications and acceptance criteria.

• Translate customer, product, and RF subsystem needs into clear specifications, acceptance criteria, design constraints, and verification approaches.

• Use RF design, simulation, layout, modeling, and characterization tools to develop robust design solutions and correlate simulation results with measured performance.

• Perform feasibility assessment of emerging technologies through research, prototyping, early modeling, and rapid experimentation.

• Assess system-level performance including sensing paths, signal conditioning, and inter-device interfaces (SPI, I²C) when applicable to RF subsystems.

• Develop test strategies and perform characterization using VNAs, spectrum or signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes, and automated test frameworks.

• Drive assigned work through prototyping, development, V&V, compliance, NPI, and sustaining phases with minimal oversight—determining methods and procedures for new assignments.

• Build strong cross functional relationships, influencing decisions through well supported technical rationale. Collaborate with Digital, Mechanical, Calibration, Software, Systems, and Test engineering disciplines, and Quality, and Operations to ensure integrated product success.

• Exercise strong communication, judgment, decision-making, and critical thinking in complex technical environments.

• Occasional domestic or international travel, up to 10%, to support supplier builds, customer evaluations, or factory activities.

FOR THIS ROLE, YOU WILL NEED:

• 5+ years with a B.S. in EE/ECE, 3+ years with an advanced degree

• Proven experience designing, simulating, verifying, and releasing RF circuits or subsystems using industry-standard tools.

• Strong proficiency with RF instrumentation, including VNAs, spectrum or signal analyzers, vector generators, oscilloscopes, and related measurement equipment.

• Ability to troubleshoot, simulate, and resolve RF, embedded, or mixed-signal issues at the board or system level.

• Programming or scripting proficiency, with Python required and MATLAB or LabVIEW beneficial.

• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and technical decision-making abilities, with demonstrated ability to lead through influence and mentor engineers appropriate to the final level.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS THAT SET YOU APART:

• End-to-end ownership from concept to ramp, including DFM/DFT, NPI, supplier engagement, and sustaining support.

• Expertise in SI/PI for mixed-signal RF boards, grounding and shielding best practices, and robust layout for isolation and stability.

• Demonstrated research and prototyping to assess emerging technologies and de-risk architectures.

• Working knowledge of requirements management, risk management, project planning, and verification traceability.

• Familiarity with regulatory and material compliance constraints, including EMC/safety, IEEE, MIL, RoHS/REACH, or similar requirements relevant to our markets.

Our Culture & Commitment to You

We recognize that for our organization to support a diverse workforce, we must focus on employee wellbeing. We know that to do your best work, you must have flexible, competitive benefit plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a market-leading 401(k) and profit-sharing plan, a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, family formation benefits in addition to paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), Employee Assistance Program, tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture prioritizes work-life balance and offers flexible time off plans, inclusive of vacation, holiday, and sick leave. Our goal is to offer a strong benefits foundation while allowing employees the flexibility to choose options that best suit their needs.

At Emerson, we are committed to fostering a culture where every employee is valued and respected for their unique experiences and perspectives. We believe a diverse and inclusive work environment contributes to the rich exchange of ideas and diversity of thoughts, that inspires innovation and brings the best solutions to our customers.

This philosophy is fundamental to living our company’s values and our responsibility to leave the world in a better place.

Our training programs and initiatives focus on end-to-end development, from onboarding through senior leadership. We provide a wide range of development opportunities, including face-to-face and virtual training, mentorship and coaching, project management, and on-the-job training.

Our compensation philosophy is simple: we pay a competitive base salary, within the local market in which we operate, and reward performance during our annual merit review process. The salary/pay range for this role is $180,872 - $200,700 annually + bonuses, commensurate with the skills, talent, capabilities, and experience each candidate brings to a role.

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WHY EMERSON

Our Commitment to Our People

At Emerson, we are motivated by a spirit of collaboration that helps our diverse, multicultural teams across the world drive innovation that makes the world healthier, safer, smarter, and more sustainable. And we want you to join us in our bold aspiration.

We have built an engaged community of inquisitive, dedicated people who thrive knowing they are welcomed, trusted, celebrated, and empowered to solve the world’s most complex problems — for our customers, our communities, and the planet. You’ll contribute to this vital work while further developing your skills through our award-winning employee development programs. We are a proud corporate citizen in every city where we operate and are committed to our people, our communities, and the world at large. We take this responsibility seriously and strive to make a positive impact through every endeavor.

At Emerson, you’ll see firsthand that our people are at the center of everything we do. So, let’s go. Let’s think differently. Learn, collaborate, and grow. Seek opportunity. Push boundaries. Be empowered to make things better. Speed up to break through. Let’s go, together.

Work Authorization

Emerson will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1(including those with OPT or CPT) , H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Emerson is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

Accessibility Assistance or Accommodation

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ABOUT EMERSON

Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries like life sciences, energy, power and renewables, chemical and advanced factory automation operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security and reliability.

With global operations and a comprehensive portfolio of software and technology, we are helping companies implement digital transformation to measurably improve their operations, conserve valuable resources and enhance their safety.

We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries. Whether you’re an established professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring possibilities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with Emerson. Join our team – let’s go!

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