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Contract Rf Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RF Design Engineer

Richardson, TX · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Why you should join our team as a RF Design Engineer As an RF Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and development of new cellular signal booster products, from initial concept ...

RF Design Engineer

Richardson, TX · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Why you should join our team as a RF Design Engineer As an RF Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and development of new cellular signal booster products, from initial concept ...

Why you should join our team as a RF Design Engineer As an RF Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and development of new cellular signal booster products, from initial concept ...

RF Design Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a RF Design Engineer who will report to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

Senior RF Design Engineer Pay Rate: $125,000 - $175,000 annually Location: Middletown, OH Start ... We offer excellent opportunities for contract, temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct assignments. We ...

Description Product RF Design Engineers should have a broad-based knowledge in RF architecture, design, integration and manufacturing. They have deep theoretical and practical knowledge in one or ...

Job: RF Design Engineer Location: Rochester NY Comp: 100K-110K(max) on W2 Here are the must haves for these roles. Vz team needs to know skill sets on the scale of 1-10 * Verizon exp * AToll exp

RF Design Engineer III

Centennial, CO · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

The RF Engineer 3 will: * Design front-end RF signal-chain circuits and assemblies for space vehicle communication and signal analysis systems using filters, amplifiers, mixers, couplers, impedance ...

RF Design Engineer III

Centennial, CO · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

The RF Engineer 3 will: * Design front-end RF signal-chain circuits and assemblies for space vehicle communication and signal analysis systems using filters, amplifiers, mixers, couplers, impedance ...

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Contract Rf Design Engineer information

See salary details

$37K

$117.7K

$183K

How much do contract rf design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract rf design engineer in the United States is $117,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,500.00 and $139,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Contract RF Design Engineer do?

A Contract RF Design Engineer is a specialist hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and optimize radio frequency (RF) circuits and systems. Their work typically involves tasks such as creating schematics, simulating RF performance, testing prototypes, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. They may work in industries like telecommunications, aerospace, defense, or consumer electronics, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions that meet technical and regulatory requirements. Because they are contractors, their roles may be project-specific and vary in duration, focusing on providing expertise for particular phases of product development.

What is the difference between Contract Rf Design Engineer vs RF Systems Engineer?

AspectContract Rf Design EngineerRF Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, RF certificationsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, RF certifications
Work EnvironmentProject-based, contract roles in labs or officesFull-time, ongoing roles in R&D or product development
Industry UsageCommon in telecommunications, defense, aerospaceUsed across similar industries, often in system-level design

Contract Rf Design Engineers focus on designing RF components and circuits on a temporary basis, often for specific projects. RF Systems Engineers work on integrating RF components into complete systems, typically in permanent roles. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications but differ mainly in employment type and scope of responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract RF Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract RF Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, signal processing, and RF circuit design, often supported by a relevant degree. Proficiency with simulation tools like ADS, HFSS, or CST, as well as experience with spectrum analyzers and network analyzers, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help engineers collaborate with teams and resolve complex technical challenges. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure reliable, high-performance RF systems that meet project specifications and timelines.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract RF Design Engineers when working with clients on short-term projects?

Contract RF Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to different clients' processes, integrating with new teams, and understanding legacy design constraints in a limited timeframe. Additionally, they may need to troubleshoot complex RF issues with incomplete documentation or rapidly evolving project requirements. Strong communication and adaptability are essential, as contract roles frequently require efficient collaboration with cross-functional teams to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality solutions.
More about Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Rf Design Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Rf Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Rf Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Temporary, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,680 per year, or $56.6 per hour.
RF/Microwave Design Engineer

RF/Microwave Design Engineer

Spectrum Control

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

Full-time

PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

At Spectrum Control, most departments operate on a 4-day, 10-hour work schedule in exchange for a 3-day weekend. We offer competitive wages and PTO, plus our benefits begin on day 1 of employment. Come join a workforce where we put you first!
Job Summary: The RF/Microwave Design Engineer supports the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of high-frequency and high-power RF and microwave products utilizing advanced thin-film and thick-film resistive technologies. This role is responsible for applying RF engineering principles to develop new products, enhance existing designs, and support manufacturing and customer requirements.
Working within a collaborative engineering environment, the RF Design Engineer contributes to product development activities from concept through production, including design simulation, prototype evaluation, performance testing, and technical documentation. The position interfaces regularly with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Sales, and Program Management to ensure products meet performance, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
Essential Job Functions
  • Design and develop new RF and microwave products covering frequency ranges from DC to 65 GHz+ and average power levels up to 2,000 watts.
  • Support new product development efforts through concept generation, design analysis, simulation, prototyping, testing, qualification, and production release.
  • Research and evaluate new technologies, materials, and design approaches to improve existing products and support future product development initiatives.
  • Contribute to the design and support of RF passive product lines, including but not limited to:
    • Attenuators
    • Terminations and loads
    • Bias tees
    • Gain equalizers
    • Directional couplers
    • Power dividers/combiners
    • Temperature-sensitive resistors and attenuators
    • Coaxial and surface-mount RF/microwave components
  • Perform RF and electromagnetic modeling, simulation, and design optimization using industry-standard software tools.
  • Design, assemble, and evaluate prototypes, conducting electrical characterization and performance testing including S-parameter analysis, power handling validation, and thermal performance evaluation.
  • Analyze test data and implement design improvements to ensure compliance with product specifications and customer requirements.
  • Assist Sales, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, and Quality teams in resolving product issues, investigating customer concerns, evaluating waiver requests, and responding to technical inquiries.
  • Support manufacturing process improvements, yield enhancement initiatives, and product cost-reduction efforts.
  • Create and maintain engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), test procedures, work instructions, and design records.
  • Participate in design reviews and technical discussions to support successful product development and production activities.
  • Adhere to company quality standards, regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in RF, microwave, electrical, or related product development environments.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of hands-on RF/microwave design experience utilizing computer-aided design and simulation tools such as:
    • Keysight ADS
    • Cadence AWR Microwave Office
    • Ansys HFSS
    • CST Microwave Studio
    • Or equivalent RF/EM simulation platforms
  • Experience designing and testing RF and microwave circuits, components, or assemblies.
  • Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques and test equipment, including Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power measurement systems.
  • Experience performing S-parameter characterization, data analysis, and performance validation.
  • Experience with programming or test automation tools; LabVIEW, HPVEE, or similar platforms are preferred.
  • Experience using CAD systems such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
  • Working knowledge of modern manufacturing processes and electrical/electronic assembly methods.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to travel occasionally as required.
  • Must be eligible to access export-controlled information and technology in accordance with U.S. export control regulations.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance in the future, if required. This requires U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with thin-film and thick-film resistive technologies.
  • Experience with high-power RF design, thermal management, and reliability considerations.
  • Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Experience supporting aerospace, defense, medical, communications, or other high-reliability applications.

Work Environment
  • This position is located at our Ann Arbor, MI manufacturing facility and requires regular on-site collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and production teams. The role supports the development and production of high-performance RF and microwave components and assemblies serving aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and communications markets.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
Third-Party Recruiters
Please note, that per Spectrum Control Policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our values and expectations. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Spectrum Control will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. If you or your agency are interested in becoming an approved vendor please contact scirecruiting@am.spectrumcontrol.com.