Senior RF Test Systems Engineer — Automation & Production

AeroVironment, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Senior Test Systems Engineer in San Diego to design, build, and maintain the test infrastructure validating Counter-UAS RF hardware from prototype to production.

You will own ATPs, automated test equipment, and data pipelines to ensure IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec quality, collaborating with RF, firmware, and production teams. The role involves developing benchtop and production-line test systems with Python and LabVIEW, ensuring yield improvement, supporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in test systems engineering for electronic hardware, preferably RF/microwave.
• Hands-on experience with RF test instrumentation (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters).
• Proficiency in test automation programming (Python, LabVIEW).
• Working knowledge of IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec manufacturing/test standards.
• Strong data analysis skills for yield and test-coverage evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop automated test systems for RF front-end, PCB assembly, and integrated subsystem validation (S-parameter sweeps, power/gain verification, functional test).
• Write, execute, and maintain acceptance test procedures (ATPs) and manufacturing test documentation to MIL-spec and IPC Class 3 requirements.
• Build test automation software and data-acquisition frameworks (Python, LabVIEW) for benchtop and production-line stations.
• Develop test fixtures, interface boards, and calibration methods for RF and mixed-signal hardware.
• Analyze production test data to identify outliers, characterize yield, and drive corrective action across design and manufacturing.
• Partner with contract manufacturers to transfer test processes, qualify stations, and support production ramp.
• Support environmental and reliability testing (MIL-STD-810H temperature, vibration, etc.).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with RF design, firmware, and production engineering to resolve test failures and design-for-test issues.
• Coordinate with quality team to identify possible quality escapes and non-conformities identified through testing.

Skills

RF/microwave experience

Python

LabVIEW

Test automation

Data analysis

VNA / spectrum analyzers

IPC Class 3 / MIL-spec

Manufacturing/test standards

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

VNA

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Power meters

Job description

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Senior Test Systems Engineer in San Diego to design, build, and maintain the test infrastructure validating Counter-UAS RF hardware from prototype to production.

You will own ATPs, automated test equipment, and data pipelines to ensure IPC Class 3 and MIL-spec quality, collaborating with RF, firmware, and production teams. The role involves developing benchtop and production-line test systems with Python and LabVIEW, ensuring yield improvement, supporting