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Afternoon Rf Drive Tester Jobs in Washington, DC

Here, you'll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission ... HW/SW integration testing, RF/wireless validation, environmental/reliability testing, test ...

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Afternoon Rf Drive Tester information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.9K

$133.3K

$207.3K

How much do afternoon rf drive tester jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for afternoon rf drive tester in Washington, DC is $133,284.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,400.00 and $157,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an afternoon RF drive tester?

Afternoon RF Drive Testers are professionals who conduct radio frequency (RF) testing and measurements in the field, typically during the afternoon hours. Their main responsibility is to drive along predetermined routes using specialized equipment to collect data on wireless network performance, such as signal strength, coverage, and call quality. This information helps cellular network providers identify and resolve coverage issues, optimize network performance, and improve user experience. Afternoon shifts are often chosen to capture data during peak network usage times, providing valuable insights for network optimization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an afternoon RF drive tester?

To thrive as an Afternoon RF Drive Tester, you need a solid understanding of radio frequency (RF) principles, cellular network standards, and a relevant technical degree or certification. Familiarity with drive testing tools such as TEMS, Nemo, or similar software, as well as GPS mapping and data analysis systems, is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, reliable analysis, and effective reporting to optimize network performance and quality.

What are some common challenges faced by afternoon RF drive testers, and how can they be managed?

Afternoon RF Drive Testers often face challenges such as dealing with fluctuating network traffic during peak hours, navigating unexpected road or weather conditions, and ensuring accurate data collection in dynamic environments. To manage these challenges, it's important to plan routes carefully, maintain reliable communication with the team, and stay adaptable to changing testing scenarios. Utilizing up-to-date drive testing tools and following standardized procedures can also help ensure consistent and reliable results.

What is the difference between Afternoon Rf Drive Tester vs RF Field Technician?

AspectAfternoon Rf Drive TesterRF Field Technician
CertificationsRF certification, driving licenseRF certification, technical training
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, driving, testing on the moveOutdoor, fixed locations, site inspections
Job FocusDrive tests, signal quality assessmentInstallations, troubleshooting, maintenance

The Afternoon Rf Drive Tester primarily conducts drive-based signal testing, focusing on real-world coverage and quality. In contrast, the RF Field Technician handles on-site installations and repairs. Both roles require RF certifications and outdoor work, but their daily tasks and environments differ significantly.

RF Microwave Design Engineer - Level 4 - Dulles

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes
CLEARANCE TYPE: Top Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Expand your horizons, advance your career, and contribute to a secure future for generations. Northrop Grumman's Space Sector invites you to bring your pioneering spirit to our collaborative teams. As a RF Microwave Design Engineer - Level 4 located in Dulles, VA, you'll be a linchpin in missions of paramount importance, defining the art of the possible from day one. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.
The candidate will work as an RF/Analog design engineer developing SDR and other components for satellite communications applications. As a senior principal engineer, the candidate will have a senior role in a small team to define and design robust RF solutions while working within system constraints on mass, power, and volume. The successful candidate will have strong technical skills coupled with the ability to operate within a fast-paced environment.
This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off.
In this job, you will:
  • Design of software defined radio (SDR) and other RF components for satellite communication systems.
  • Design and analysis of communications systems for satellite and interplanetary applications. The candidate must be familiar with RF analyses such as link budgets, digital modulation/coding, gain/loss budgets, noise figure, etc.
  • Requirements flow-down from top-level customer document through subsystem-level definition to component-level specification. The candidate is expected to produce clear, concisely written documents that will be used as the technical basis for high dollar value procurements.
  • Prepare and present design reviews for internal and external customers. The candidate will have regular interaction with the internal engineering and program management team as well as the external customer.
  • Requirements verification based on customer's top-level requirements compared to subcontractor and prime contractor actual implementation. The candidate will be able to concisely summarize findings and present them to the end customer.
  • Subcontractor management (some travel required) and manufacturing interface definition including performance specification, interface control drawing, and statement of work generation. The candidate will work with potential subcontractors to ensure any technical solution meets the top-level customer's needs while satisfying system and program constraints.
  • Support integration and test of the communications system including unit-level functional and environmental testing, spacecraft level testing, and in-orbit checkout. (some travel and occasional shift work required)
  • Other duties as assigned

If this job description reads like it was written specifically for you, consider joining our team!
This position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company.
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM field with 8 years of professional experience - OR - Master's degree with 6 years of professional experience - OR - PhD with 4 years of professional experience.
  • Requires an active U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope
  • Ability to work with others from engineering and non-engineering disciplines in a fast-paced team environment
  • Good oral presentation skills and comfort with customer interaction. Ability to write technical documents clearly and concisely.
  • Well organized and able to keep track of and make progress on multiple simultaneous tasks.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Office (particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
  • Experience with RF circuit card design of software defined Radios
  • Experience with performing RF analysis and trade studies to meet RF performance parameters including (Gain, noise figure, Intercept point, stability, power consumption, etc).
  • Hands on experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, arbitrary waveform generators, etc.
  • Experience with digital waveforms such as WCDMA, BPSK, QPSK, and DVB-SX. Additionally, experience with and understanding of RF designs and validation test to support these waveforms.
  • Experience with RF simulation tools such as Microwave office, ADS, or other simulation tools.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience leading small engineering teams in development or production of RF systems
  • Familiar with engineering analysis tools such as MATLAB or Mathcad, and support tools such as Visual Basic for Applications
  • Experience with cost account management for engineering portion of multi-year program, including cost and labor hour estimating, task scheduling and earned value tracking
  • Experience or understanding of antenna design
  • Experience with HFSS
  • Experience with analog design of various circuits such as Opamps, regulators, feedback loops, power supply, etc.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space
Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.
Northrop Grumman Total Rewards
#SpaceEngJobs
#NoVASpace
Primary Level Salary Range: $142,200.00 - $213,400.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939