Staff Radio Frequency Hardware Engineer

Job Title

Staff Radio Frequency Hardware Engineer

Role Summary

Technical lead responsible for RF system and hardware architecture, technology strategy, and execution for advanced wireless platforms. Works with multidisciplinary teams to drive RF hardware solutions from concept through prototype and commercialization for 5G Advanced and future wireless technologies.

Experience Level

Senior-level. The posting specifies degree-dependent minimum experience (examples include: Master’s +8 years or PhD +5 years for the RF role); alternate lower minimums for related roles are also listed (e.g., Bachelor's +4 / Master’s +3 / PhD +2). Practical senior experience in RF system architecture and hardware integration is expected.

Responsibilities

Lead architecture, design, integration, and validation of RF hardware and systems; provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams.

• Define and lead RF system and hardware architecture for next-generation wireless products.
• Perform partitioning and tradeoff analyses across RF hardware, RFICs, antenna, modem, algorithms, and software.
• Establish RF performance requirements and translate system objectives into hardware designs.
• Lead design and integration of RF subsystems (PA, LNA, FEM, filters/duplexers, phased arrays, mixers, synthesizers).
• Develop and validate RF system models and simulation environments; analyze nonlinear behavior and cascaded impairments.
• Drive prototype bring-up, debugging, characterization, and correlation between simulation and hardware.
• Perform system tradeoff studies (EVM, ACLR, spectral efficiency) and waveform-to-hardware co-optimization.
• Provide technical direction in reviews, risk assessments, and productization activities.
• Contribute to technology development, patents, standards engagement, and external technical collaborations.

Requirements

Core technical skills and demonstrated experience required; leadership and cross-domain collaboration expected.

• Deep expertise in RF system architecture, RF front-end design, and RF subsystem integration.
• Experience with power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, front-end modules, filters/duplexers, phased arrays, mixers, and synthesizers.
• Proven ability in RF modeling, simulation, and system-level analysis of nonlinear behaviors and impairments.
• Hands-on experience with prototype development, RF bring-up, debugging, and characterization.
• Ability to lead cross-functional tradeoffs involving performance, cost, power, thermal, and reliability.
• Experience influencing product roadmaps and design decisions across RF, antenna, modem, software, and algorithm teams.
• Track record of technical leadership: design reviews, risk assessment, and mentoring.
• Familiarity with wireless standards and experience engaging with industry partners or customers.

Education Requirements

Posting references multiple acceptable degrees and related-field language: Bachelor's, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical fields. Degree-specific experience levels were listed (examples: Master’s with 8+ years or Ph.D. with 5+ years for the RF role; alternate minimums included Bachelor’s with 4+ years, Master’s with 3+ years, or Ph.D. with 2+ years). The posting allows related-field or related-work-experience equivalence where stated.

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.