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Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer Jobs in Schaumburg, IL

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

RF Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$63K - $127K/yr

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. * Strong background in RF circuit design and wireless communication theory. Travel Requirements None Relocation Provided None Position Type ...

Motorola

RF Design Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$63K - $127K/yr

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. * Strong background in RF circuit design and wireless communication theory. Travel RequirementsNone Relocation ProvidedNone Position ...

Fermilab

Jr. ASIC Design Engineer

Batavia, IL · On-site

$70K - $93K/yr

Performing a leading role in Analog and RF ASIC design projects, while being able to contribute ... IC design. * Familiarity with principles of instrumentation for radiation detection with solid ...

Ignite Human Capital

Design Engineer III

Naperville, IL · On-site

We are seeking an experienced RF Designer to lead the design, development, and validation of high ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field * 8+ years of experience ...

Ignite Human Capital

Design Engineer III

Naperville, IL · On-site

We are seeking an experienced RF Designer to lead the design, development, and validation of high ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field * 8+ years of experience ...

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Sr. RF Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$101K - $202K/yr

Design and optimize circuits for minimal current drain to maximize battery life * Implement analog ... Some contracts may have higher-level clearance requirements. Travel Requirements Under 10% ...

NEOTECH

Design Engineer III (24903)

Naperville, IL

We are seeking an experienced RF Designer to lead the design, development, and validation of high ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field * 8+ years of experience ...

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All JobsContract Rf Ic Design Engineer JobsContract Rf Ic Design Engineer Jobs in Schaumburg, IL

Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer information

See Schaumburg, IL salary details

$36.3K

$115.6K

$179.7K

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

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract rf ic design engineer in Schaumburg, IL is $115,558.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,700.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract RF IC design engineer?

A Contract RF IC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) Design Engineer is a specialist who designs, develops, and tests integrated circuits that operate at radio frequencies, typically for wireless communication products. Working on a contract basis, these engineers are hired for specific projects and may work for different companies as needed. Their responsibilities include circuit design, simulation, layout, and verification of RF components such as amplifiers, mixers, and oscillators. They often collaborate with other engineers to ensure the circuits meet performance specifications and industry standards. Contract RF IC Design Engineers are essential in industries like telecommunications, consumer electronics, and aerospace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract RF IC design engineer?

To thrive as a Contract RF IC Design Engineer, you need a strong background in analog and RF circuit design, semiconductor physics, and relevant engineering degrees, typically in electrical or electronics engineering. Experience with EDA tools like Cadence Virtuoso, ADS, or Mentor Graphics, and knowledge of industry standards for IC layout and verification are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies ensure the development of high-performance, reliable ICs that meet demanding technical specifications and project deadlines.

What are some common challenges faced by contract RF IC design engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Contract RF IC Design Engineers often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new project requirements, integrating with existing design teams, and managing tight deadlines. Since each client or project may use different design tools or methodologies, flexibility and strong communication skills are essential. Building a solid understanding of the project's specifications early on and maintaining open communication with both in-house engineers and project managers can help ensure smooth collaboration and timely delivery. Proactively seeking feedback and clarifying expectations also aids in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer vs Contract Digital IC Design Engineer?

AspectContract Rf Ic Design EngineerContract Digital IC Design Engineer
Required SkillsRF circuit design, analog and mixed-signal design, simulation toolsDigital logic design, HDL (VHDL/Verilog), FPGA/ASIC design
Work EnvironmentSemiconductor companies, telecommunications, aerospaceConsumer electronics, computing, data centers
CertificationsRelevant EE degrees, RF design certificationsEE degrees, digital design certifications

The main difference between a Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer and a Contract Digital IC Design Engineer lies in their focus areas. RF IC engineers specialize in high-frequency analog and RF circuit design, while digital IC engineers focus on digital logic and FPGA/ASIC development. Both roles require strong EE backgrounds but differ in their technical skills and industry applications.

What cities near Schaumburg, IL are hiring for Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Schaumburg, IL with the most Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer job openings:

Contract Rf Ic Design Engineer jobs near you

Senior Principal AE-RF Design Engineer

Cadence Design Systems Inc.

Cary, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Cadence Design Systems rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 247 rated software companies

Job description

At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.

Experienced Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) IC designer specialize in engineering high-frequency (30 GHz+) transceivers and components for 5G/6G communications, aerospace radar, and automotive sensors. Will drive the full product lifecycle, tackling challenges like parasitic extraction, thermal management, and high-frequency electromagnetic modeling. High level of customer engagement at a fast pace on state of the art design. Requires a deep, specialized skill set:

  • Building Blocks: Deep expertise in designing custom blocks such as Power Amplifiers (PAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), mixers, and Voltage-Controlled Oscillators (VCOs).
  • RF Subsystem: Deep expertise in designing Tx and Rx signal chains for noise, figure, linearity dynamic range and power efficiency. Deep experience in RF PLL design including Sigma delta, FRAC-N PLL. Phase noise and spurius signal, settling time. Experience with PLL buildng blocks such as PFD, charge pumps, dividers, multipliers.
  • Architecture: Proficiency in RF transceiver architectures, direct-conversion topologies, and phased-array systems. Signal chain analysis and system figures of merit such as ACPR, EVM and BER.
  • Process Technologies: Hands-on experience on advanced nodes using RF SOI process and deep knowledge of the required trade offs.
  • Software Tools: Mastery of standard EDA software environments, including:
    • System Simulation: VSS -
    • Schematic & Simulation: Cadence Virtuoso and VRF flows
    • Electromagnetic (EM) Simulation: EMX, and Clarity
    • Layout & Verification: Layout MXL, QRC and Pegasus
      • Education: Usually an M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (or a closely related discipline).
      • Experience: 10+ years of industrial experience taking designs from conception through tape-out to final lab validation.
      • Validation: Extensive lab characterization experience utilizing high-frequency equipment like spectrum analyzers, VNAs, and probe stations.
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