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Contract Rf Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. RF Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · Hybrid

$140K - $185K/yr

Senior RF Design Engineer - Communications SIGNING BONUS Position Location: Huntsville, AL Position Type: Full-Time | Hybrid Pay Range: $140k - $185k annually Relocation assistance _____ Secmation is ...

Sr. RF Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Senior RF Design Engineer - Communications ****SIGNING BONUS**** Position Location: Huntsville, AL Position Type: Full-Time | Hybrid Pay Range: $140k - $185k annually Relocation assistance ...

Sr. RF Design Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Senior RF Design Engineer - Communications ****SIGNING BONUS**** Position Location: Huntsville, AL Position Type: Full-Time | Hybrid Pay Range: $140k - $185k annually Relocation assistance Secmation ...

Crane Aerospace and Electronics has an exciting opportunity fora Sr. RF Design Engineer at our Chandler, AZ location. About Crane: Crane Aerospace & Electronics provides high-performance systems and ...

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

RF Design Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$147K - $240K/yr

... engineering challenges and a huge opportunity to make an impact! How You'll Make an Impact: * Collaborate with EE, RF, Antenna design and PD teams to maximize the performance of the system designs

About the Job As a Senior RF Design Engineer, you will design and validate the RF electronics that enable Array's radar sensors. Your work will include low-noise receive chains, high-power transmit ...

About the Job As a Senior RF Design Engineer, you will design and validate the RF electronics that enable Array's radar sensors. Your work will include low-noise receive chains, high-power transmit ...

About the Job As a Senior RF Design Engineer, you will design and validate the RF electronics that enable Array's radar sensors. Your work will include low-noise receive chains, high-power transmit ...

... 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 ...

... 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 ...

The RF Design Engineer Manager will drive cross-functional teams to develop best-in-class RF, Microwave and mmW integrated solutions (IMAs). These IMAs will include RF, Power management, Digital ...

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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 Design Engineer

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 59 rated research


Job description

Description

Are you passionate about providing real, immediate impact to the country’s toughest national security problems?

Do you love building and testing prototype radio frequency (RF) waveforms and systems?


If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking an RF engineer to develop, analyze, and optimize RF electrical aspects of sensor systems. As a member of the Sensor Systems Engineering group, you collaborate with teams of passionate engineers and scientists who build, analyze, and test systems for the Air and Missile Defense Sector. Our team strives to deliver robust solutions to address difficult problems facing the U.S. Department of Defense and the warfighter. We strive to foster an environment of collaboration and innovation!

As an RF Design Engineer, you will...

  • Build innovative hardware solutions such as antennas, custom PCBs, RF circuits and systems.
  • Apply electrical and RF engineering tools to develop and predict hardware performance.
  • Define and complete hardware test activities to assess hardware system performance.
  • Document and present work to sponsors, technical teams, and APL management.
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest RF electronics, embedded systems, and embedded software innovations.
  • Continually grow your skills in engineering, communication, and leadership.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

  • Possess a B.S. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, or an equivalent technical domain.  
  • Have demonstrated ability with ECAD design tools such as Altium, Ki-CAD, Eagle, and/or Mentor Graphics.
  • Have familiarity using embedded software tools/ languages (i.e. Arduino, Platform.io, CMake, C, C++).
  • Have experience with MATLAB or similar computational tools.
  • Are comfortable using lab test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, etc.
  • Have familiarity with electromagnetic and RF concepts such as transmission line theory, Maxwell’s equations, power budgets.
  • Possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
  • Are able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

  • Have experience working with Navy, Army, Marine, or Air Force radar or communications systems.
  • Have experience developing RF systems or subsystems (i.e. amplifier stages, filtering, combining networks, etc.)
  • Have experience designing, manufacturing, populating, and testing custom PCBs.
  • Have familiarity writing VHDL and/or working with FPGAs.
  • Have a strong understanding of full-wave electromagnetic solvers.
  • Carry experience operating within a rapid prototyping environment.

#LI-KW1


About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$195,000 Annually

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