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Contract Rf Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... engineering expertise to meet the needs of today's mission and stay ahead of tomorrow's threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world. Effector RF Design ...

... engineering expertise to meet the needs of today's mission and stay ahead of tomorrow's threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world. Effector RF Design ...

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Contract Rf Design Engineer information

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.

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 most commonly searched types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs in California? For Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Contract Rf Design Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Contract Rf Design Engineer job openings:
Principal RF Design Engineer

Principal RF Design Engineer

Raytheon

San Diego, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 515 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-02-26

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-M02 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG M02

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Effector RF Design Department is responsible for designing RF and Microwave hardware, including transmitters, receivers, and exciters.  This includes design and test activities that span preliminary design to integration.  Products we develop support radar and datalink applications on a variety of tactical missile programs.  Critical to this role is designing for challenging mechanical constraints and extreme environments.

This position is an onsite role, located in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do

  • Design and development of transmitters, receivers or exciters
  • Design of circuit card assemblies (CCAs) with RF or mixed signals
  • Work in a lab to accomplish component characterization as well as module verification and integration
  • Test and handle sensitive RF Hardware
  • Schematic capture and RF routing
  • Partner with interdisciplinary teams - power, digital, mechanical, etc.

Qualifications You Must Have

  • Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of eight years of prior relevant experience to include any combination of the following:
    • Experience with RF design and fabrication
    • Experience with RF testing and troubleshooting
    • Experience with the simulation of RF products
    • Experience with any of the following tools:
      • Mentor DX Designer or equivalent
      • High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) or equivalent
      • SystemVue/Genesys or equivalent
      • Advanced Design System (ADS) or equivalent

Qualifications We Prefer

  • Mentorship or apprenticeship experience 
  • Technical oversight responsibilities for less-senior engineers
  • Working across domains on complex projects
  • Architecting and requirements definition for complex RF products
  • Team leadership experience on technical projects including experience w/ cost and schedule
  • EVMS or CAM experience
  • Ability to prepare documentation with minimal oversight
  • Background in designing for manufacturability, producibility, and cost constraints.  Includes yield and margin analysis
  • Technical background in the following areas:
    • Cascade analysis and/or frequency planning
    • Filter design and fabrication
    • Circuit card assembly design and fabrication
    • Testing or designing RF hybrid (chip and wire) technologies
    • High speed data converter test/characterization
    • High power RF design or test experience
    • Scripting experience (Matlab or Python)
  • Some front line leadership desirable

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Learn More & Apply Now!

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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