Senior Specialist, RF Test Engineer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Education assistance

Parental leave

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is seeking an experienced RF Test Engineer in San Diego to support design verification, characterization, and integration of automated RF test systems.

The role emphasizes hands-on RF measurements, test automation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enable production testing and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and 6+ years RF test/ RF integration experience, or Master’s with 4+ years.
• Active US Secret security clearance.
• Strong RF/microwave fundamentals (S-parameters, noise figure, phase noise, linearity).

Responsibilities

• Design automated test systems for production testing with multi-unit capabilities.
• Develop, execute, and document RF test plans and reports for components and full assemblies.
• Perform RF measurements (gain, noise figure, phase noise, EVM, BER, emissions).
• Set up RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VNAs, power meters, oscilloscopes).
• Troubleshoot RF performance issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

RF test

RF measurements

Test automation

LabVIEW

Test Stand

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering (optional)

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Signal Generators

Vector Network Analyzers

Power Meters

Oscilloscopes

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Electrical Engineering, Test

Job Code: 46144

Job Location: San Diego

Job Schedule: 9/80 1st Shift

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced RF Test Engineer to support the design verification, characterization, and integration of automated RF test systems and subsystems (ATS). The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with RF measurements, automated test solutions, troubleshooting complex hardware issues, and working in cross-functional engineering environments. This role will contribute to the validation of RF hardware across development, qualification, and manufacturing phases.

Essential Functions:

• Design automated test systems to be used in production testing with multi-unit capabilities, automated fault detection and test reporting.
• Develop, execute, and document test plans, procedures, and reports for components, subsystems, and full system assemblies involved in product testing.
• Design and Perform RF measurements including gain, noise figure, phase noise, power output, spurious response, sensitivity, intermodulation, EVM, BER, and spectral emissions.
• Set up and operate RF test equipment such as:
  • Spectrum analyzers
  • Signal generators
  • Vector network analyzers
  • Power meters
  • Oscilloscopes
• Troubleshoot and isolate RF performance issues at the board, module, and system level.
• Manage projects as an IPT with minimal supervision.
• Support design verification and validation testing for transmitters, receivers, synthesizers, converters, filters and amplifiers.
• Develop automated test solutions using, LabVIEW and Test Stand
• Analyze test data and provide clear technical conclusions and recommendations to design teams and program leadership.
• Collaborate with design, systems, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to resolve technical issues.
• Support environmental, qualification, and compliance testing as needed.
• Create and maintain test documentation, calibration requirements, and configuration-controlled records.
• Assist in transitioning test methods from development into manufacturing or production environments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline and a minimum of 6+ years of experience in RF test, RF integration, or related engineering roles or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and minimum 4+ years of experience in RF test, RF integration, or related engineering roles
• Active US Secret security clearance

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Strong understanding of RF/microwave principles, including:
  • S-parameters (Gain/Loss/VSWR/Return Loss)
  • Gain compression
  • Noise figure
  • Linearity
  • Phase noise
  • Frequency response
  • Harmonics/Spurs
• Experience integrating, and testing RF hardware across development and/or production environments such as Filters, Amplifiers, Attenuators, Diplexers, Couplers, Circulators, Mixers, Splitters, Switches, and limiters
• Experience with digital modulation analysis and communications measurements.
• Hands-on proficiency with common RF lab instrumentation.
• Experience interpreting schematics, block diagrams, interface control documents, and test requirements.
• Ability to troubleshoot and root-cause hardware and measurement issues.
• Experience with encryption/decryption devices and systems.
• Experience with test automation and data analysis tools.
• Experience with schematic capture, and PWB design.
• Experience with wireless communications, telemetry, radar, EW, SATCOM, or aerospace/defense RF systems.
• Experience with automated test equipment architecture and script-based test development.
• Experience with Labview, Test Stand, Python,and others
• Knowledge of environmental and qualification testing for ruggedized hardware.
• Experience with Linux, VHDL, and general development board platforms like ZYNQs, Zed Boards, Arty Boards, etc…
• Experience supporting design-to-production transitions.
• Experience generating and deriving system requirements from product specifications, RVTMs, VCRMs, and translating to Validation Plans.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, The salary range for this role in California is $106,500 - $197,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.