Sr Radio Frequency Hardware Engineer

Job Title

Sr Radio Frequency Hardware Engineer

Role Summary

The Sr RF Hardware Engineer architects, designs, integrates, validates, and optimizes RF hardware systems and subsystems for advanced wireless products. The role leads RF module and system-level hardware efforts from concept through commercialization and works cross-functionally with system, digital, software, and manufacturing teams.

Experience Level

Senior. Minimum qualifications indicate multiple acceptable education/experience paths (see Education Requirements). Preferred candidates typically have several years of professional RF hardware and system experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities focus on RF hardware architecture, detailed circuit and module design, verification, and cross-disciplinary delivery.

• Define RF hardware architectures and specifications from system-level requirements; own significant RF subsystems or end-to-end hardware blocks.
• Design, integrate, and optimize RF circuits and subsystems, balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Lead RF bring-up, debug, tuning, and validation activities for prototypes and production hardware.
• Perform RF simulations, modeling, and sensitivity analysis for end-to-end TX/RX chains.
• Execute and interpret RF measurements including S-parameters, noise figure, linearity, phase noise, EVM, spurious and harmonics.
• Resolve complex RF performance and integration issues and drive technical design reviews.
• Collaborate with system engineering, digital/baseband, software/algorithm, and manufacturing/test teams; contribute documentation and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience (education requirements are listed separately).

• Deep knowledge of RF and microwave engineering, analog and mixed-signal circuit design, electromagnetics, and transmission lines.
• Hands-on experience with PAs, LNAs, mixers, switches, matching networks, filters, and duplexers in sub-6 GHz and/or mmWave bands.
• Proven ability to translate system performance targets into detailed circuit implementations (schematic design, device selection, biasing, matching, layout tradeoffs).
• Experience with RF system-level simulations and end-to-end TX/RX chain analysis; familiarity with tools such as SystemVue or MATLAB-class environments.
• Practical experience executing RF measurements and interpreting KPIs (EVM, ACLR, noise figure, linearity, phase noise).
• Strong problem solving, technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and mentorship capability.
• Experience supporting prototype demonstrations, manufacturing integration, and test development.

Nice-to-have: familiarity with OFDM-based waveforms (e.g., 5G NR), DPD/waveform–PA interactions, RFIC experience, and experience with standards-driven performance metrics.

Education Requirements

Minimum/acceptable education and experience paths noted in the posting: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field plus 2+ years of relevant Electrical/Hardware/Systems engineering experience; OR Master's degree in those fields plus 1+ year of relevant experience; OR a PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field. Preferred qualifications reference a Master’s in Electrical/Electronics/Electrical & Computer Engineering with 3+ years of professional RF hardware/system experience, or a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics with 1+ years of professional, internship, or post-doctoral RF hardware experience.

About the Company

Company: Qualcomm

Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States

Qualcomm is a global leader in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment, specializing in mobile technologies and innovations. Known for its Adreno GPUs, the company provides solutions enabling advancements in mobile gaming, AI, VR/AR, and autonomous driving. Qualcomm's cutting-edge technology and commitment to high-performance, power-efficient designs drive the evolution of mobile graphics and connectivity worldwide.