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Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Drive Test Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$18

$45

$77

How much do drive test engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for drive test engineer in Chicago, IL is $45.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.42 and $53.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Drive Test Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectDrive Test EngineerRF Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in telecommunications, electronics, or related field; certifications like RF or wireless certifications are commonSimilar credentials; often holds degrees in electrical engineering and RF certifications
Work EnvironmentFieldwork involving driving to test sites, collecting signal data, and analyzing network performancePrimarily office-based or lab work focused on designing, testing, and optimizing RF systems
Industry UsageUsed in telecom companies for network testing and optimizationUsed across telecom, electronics, and wireless industries for system design and testing

Drive Test Engineers and RF Engineers share similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their roles differ in work environment and focus. Drive Test Engineers primarily perform field testing to evaluate network performance, while RF Engineers focus on designing and optimizing RF systems in labs or offices.

How much does a drive test engineer get paid?

A drive test engineer's salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills can earn higher wages, often working with tools like drive testing equipment and network analysis software.

What are some common challenges faced by drive test engineers during fieldwork, and how can they be addressed?

Drive Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as fluctuating signal quality, unpredictable weather conditions, and navigating unfamiliar terrains during fieldwork. To address these, it's important to prepare thoroughly by reviewing test routes, ensuring all equipment is calibrated and functional, and maintaining clear communication with the network operations team. Additionally, adaptability and strong problem-solving skills help in quickly resolving on-site issues, leading to efficient data collection and accurate reporting.

What is a drive test engineer?

A Drive Test Engineer is a telecommunications professional responsible for testing and optimizing wireless networks. They conduct field measurements by driving through designated routes with specialized equipment to collect data on signal strength, call quality, and network coverage. This data helps network operators identify issues such as dead zones, dropped calls, or weak signals, enabling them to improve network performance. Drive Test Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring reliable mobile communication and enhancing user experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drive test engineer?

To thrive as a Drive Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of wireless communication systems, RF principles, and a relevant engineering degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with drive test tools like TEMS, Nemo, or SwissQual, as well as proficiency in data analysis software, is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help you interpret data and convey findings clearly. These abilities ensure accurate network performance assessments, which are crucial for optimizing wireless networks and improving user experience.
What are the most commonly searched types of Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Drive Test Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Drive Test Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,801 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Manufacturing Test Engineer (RF Systems)

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Rolling Meadows, IL

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 360 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 537 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt 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.
Job Description

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have awide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battlemanagement and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awarenessand understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) is looking for you to join our team asa ElectronicsEngineer- Manufacturing Test Engineering (RF Systems)based out ofRolling Meadows, IL.

Manufacturing Engineers thrive in an environment of daily unique challenges andclose proximityto products. Partnering with production, successful test engineers lead troubleshooting and ensure excellence. Engineers who do well in this setting enjoy seeing their work perform in a test or a product, collaborate and communicate well across functions, and are innovative problem solvers. Best suited to this role are those who enjoy learning and bring a sense of urgency and energy to their tasks.

This position will supporttest stationhardwareefforts associated with testing Radio Frequency (RF) production hardware in a dynamic, fast-paced and technically challenging production environment.

Behavioral Traits sought out:

  • The ManufacturingTestEngineers are expected to be problem solvers with the ability to provide results that are innovative and often achieved through collaboration across functional groups.

  • We seek individuals with proven excellence in the following 6 core competencies:

a) High levels of Self-accountability and Ownership

b) Acts with Speed

c) Responds to Challenges with Resilience

d) Leads with Courage

e) Sets vision for the assigned products

f) Builds a High Performing Team

This individual will be responsible for all aspects of test development from requirements capture through final validation and release. A successful person in this role will be very effective at leading collaboration with the product Design Engineer, the Test HardwareEngineer, the Quality Assurance Engineer and the Manufacturing Technician. This position would include providing needed efforts to set up and support the acceptance testing of the Shop Replaceable Units, as well as acceptance testing and environmental screening at the payload (Line Replaceable Unit) level. This position will support aerial, military-grade, or space-grade Electronic Warfare Systems and Subsystems.

What you will get to do:

  • Support to Production:Coordinate with Design Engineering, Production technician, Project Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Quality organizations to testandprovide solutions to support nonconformancesystemsforcontractual acceptance testing and environmental screening commitments.

  • Teststationdesign -debug& integration/validation: Investigate, design, and provide solutions to meet new or modified testing requirements.

  • Test procedure development/Maintenance: Generate and maintain/revise Manufacturing Acceptance testing procedures, Environmental Screening procedures, hardware drawings of test equipment and fixtures.

  • Continuous improvement: Review of quality metrics to identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce cost, cycle time, defects.

  • Testability reviews: Collaborate with design engineering to achieve testability in new and updated product design.

  • Test station/fixture development:Designand maintain/revise Manufacturing Acceptance testingfixture and stations for functional and environmental testing. This includes test station concepts (Schematics,block diagram, simulations, test requirement creation)

  • Ability to interface/communicate with multiple levels of leadership, clients, and vendors.

Building a strong professional relationship with other Manufacturing disciplines (Process Engineering, Project Management, Shop Operations, Mission Assurance), strong decision-making skills and a high-level ethical standard is essential.

This Position is Contingent Upon Program Award.

Basic Qualifications for the Manufacturing Test Engineer (RF Systems):

  • Bachelor of Science degreein Electricaland/or Computer Engineering or a related STEM field with a minimum of2years relevant work experience; OR a Master of Science (MS) degree in equivalent fields with0or more years of experience.

  • Experience with troubleshooting of hardware,andtestissues

  • Experience with schematic generation such as Cadence.

  • Experience completinghardwareprojects involvinghardwaredesign / development activities and/or integration and validation activities on schedule and on budget.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

  • US Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Python and MATLAB experience.

  • Experience with programming languages such as C#, C, Java or Lab Windows CVI

  • Experience withschematic generation such as Cadence.

  • Priorhardwaretroubleshooting experience of test equipment or prime hardware.

  • Experience in troubleshooting unit under test.

  • Experience with RF Electronic systems in manufacturing or design (hardware, firmware, etc.) environment.

  • Experience working with use of any test instruments such as (but not limited to) Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, Spectrum Analyzer, Network Analyzer, etc.

  • Experience with reading schematics and interpreting electrical one-lines.

  • Experience using GitHub.

  • Active DoD Security Clearance.

What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages yourgrowth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you theflexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.


Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits includingEducation Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range: $87,600.00 - $131,400.00The 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