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Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer Jobs in California

K2 Space

RF Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

You will be working alongside the Electrical and RF Engineering teams to interface with Avionics ... Experience with the practical application of serial and ethernet communications * Understanding of ...

HEICO

RF Engineer

Chatsworth, CA

RF ENGINEER LOCATION: Chatsworth, CA SHIFT: Day (7:00 am - 5:30 pm; Monday thru Thursday) BASIC ... Excellent written and verbal communication * Knowledge of MS Office such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

HEICO

RF Engineer

Chatsworth, CA · On-site

RF ENGINEER LOCATION: Chatsworth, CA SHIFT: Day (7:00 am - 5:30 pm; Monday thru Thursday) BASIC ... Excellent written and verbal communication * Knowledge of MS Office such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

Heico

RF Engineer

Chatsworth, CA

RF ENGINEER LOCATION: Chatsworth, CA SHIFT: Day (7:00 am - 5:30 pm; Monday thru Thursday) BASIC ... Excellent written and verbal communication * Knowledge of MS Office such as Word, Excel and Outlook.

K2 Space

RF Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

You will be working alongside the Electrical and RF Engineering teams to interface with Avionics ... Experience with the practical application of serial and ethernet communications * Understanding of ...

Z-Communications, Inc.

Be Seen First

RF Microwave Engineer or Technician

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65K - $100K/yr

Looking for an RF engineer or experienced RF technician to provide analysis and improvement of ... Experience with VCOs and PLLs a plus Company Description Z-Communications Inc. has been leading the ...

Neros Technologies

RF Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$80K - $150K/yr

What you will be doing As an RF Engineer at Neros you will play a crucial, hands-on role in ... Familiarity with specific wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LoRa, or ...

Apple

RF Test Engineering Program Manager

Cupertino, CA

$144K - $263K/yr

Description - Lead multiple parallel projects. - Collaborate closely with RF test engineers and ... Candidate should have excellent communications skills and should understand how to tailor content ...

Neros Technologies

RF Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$80K - $150K/yr

What you will be doing As an RF Engineer at Neros you will play a crucial, hands-on role in ... Familiarity with specific wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LoRa, or ...

Apple

RF Passive Design Engineer

San Diego, CA

$122K - $214K/yr

We are looking to hire a Chip Passive Design Engineer in a group at Apple that develops RF/AMS ... Good written and verbal communication skills. Minimum Qualifications Bachelors degree required. Pay ...

SpaceX

RF Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

$145K - $175K/yr

... focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads. As an RF engineer on the ... Starshield team, you will be working on advanced development programs in support of US National ...

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All JobsRf Communications Engineer JobsEntry Level Rf Communications Engineer JobsEntry Level Rf Communications Engineer Jobs in California

Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$109.2K

$135.7K

How much do entry level rf communications engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level rf communications engineer in California is $109,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,300.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level RF Communications Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level RF Communications Engineer, you need a solid understanding of radio frequency principles, circuit design, and a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with RF simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, MATLAB, and network analyzers, as well as any relevant industry certifications, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing reliable RF systems, collaborating on technical teams, and ensuring successful project outcomes in the fast-evolving communications industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer vs Radio Frequency Technician?

AspectEntry Level Rf Communications EngineerRadio Frequency Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; certifications like FCC licensesAssociate's degree or technical certification; FCC licensing often required
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and troubleshooting RF systems; office and lab settingsInstallation, maintenance, and repair of RF equipment; field and technical environments
Industry UsageTelecommunications, defense, aerospaceBroadcasting, telecommunications, military
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve RF technology, Entry Level Rf Communications Engineers focus on designing and testing RF systems, often requiring a degree and certifications. Radio Frequency Technicians primarily handle installation and maintenance of RF equipment, typically with technical training. Both roles are essential in telecommunications and related industries, but they differ in responsibilities and work environments.

What are some common challenges entry-level RF Communications Engineers face during their first year on the job?

Entry-level RF Communications Engineers often encounter challenges such as learning to use specialized test equipment, interpreting complex signal data, and troubleshooting interference issues in real-world environments. Adapting to fast-paced project timelines while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards is also common. New engineers typically work closely with senior team members and cross-functional teams, which helps them quickly develop both technical and communication skills. Overcoming these initial hurdles is a valuable part of the learning process and can set the foundation for future growth in the field.

What does an Entry Level RF Communications Engineer do?

An Entry Level RF Communications Engineer helps design, test, and maintain radio frequency (RF) systems and components, such as antennas, transmitters, and receivers. They often assist senior engineers in analyzing RF signals, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring systems meet performance standards. Their work supports wireless communication technologies used in industries like telecommunications, defense, and broadcasting. Typically, they also use specialized software and equipment to model and measure RF performance as part of a larger engineering team.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Communications Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Rf Communications Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Rf Communications Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,243 per year, or $52.5 per hour.
RF Test Engineer

RF Test Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by $450M from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, T. Rowe Price, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, and others - with an additional $500M in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers - we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches planned through 2026 and 2027, we're Building Bigger to develop the solar system and become a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a groundbreaking Series C space startup, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
You will own the success of Avionics testing involving the computing, data acquisition, RF, and power subsystems that are key to our satellite operation. In your first 6 months, you will be pivotal in developing production quality test hardware and software to deliver flight avionics through ATP and QTP for the first Mega satellite constellation. You will be working alongside the Electrical and RF Engineering teams to interface with Avionics hardware, validate prototype designs, define test requirements, and design test infrastructure to meet critical programmatic milestones such as delivery of flight hardware to vehicle integration. In your first year, you will lead multidisciplinary test campaigns, root cause investigations, and production improvements to ensure reliability and scalability.
Responsibilities
  • Design and fabricate test hardware, harnessing, and test systems to support electrical and RF development testing
  • Develop modular, reusable test automation software and drivers in Linux, Python, C++, Rust, etc.
  • Execute development and production tests to meet internal and external customer needs
  • Lead satellite subsystem test campaigns from kickoff, through test report, and beyond
  • Develop data acquisition, control, and instrumentation systems to test at the integrated level
  • Own the project management of multiple test assets and acceptance testing of flight avionics including upgrades to support hardware lifecycle
  • Design device simulators deployed across component subsystem and HITL testbeds
  • Collaborate with a cross-functional team to establish product requirements, testing methods, and project test schedules

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or other relevant engineering discipline or any equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 2+ years of experience with test hardware design and software management
  • Strong programming abilities (Python, C++, Rust)
  • Experience with RF test equipment such as vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzer, etc.

Nice to Have
  • Experience with data acquisition, controls, and dedicated test equipment
  • Familiarity with SMC-S-016 or MIL-STD-810 testing methods, including vibration, shock, and thermal testing
  • Experience with software-defined radio hardware development, including high-speed RF data converters (digital to analog and analog to digital converters), clock trees, and data converter interfaces
  • Experience with calibration of RF equipment, dataflow testing, and radiated end-to-end validation
  • Experience with the practical application of serial and ethernet communications
  • Understanding of the failure modes of electrical systems in space environments
  • Demonstrated ability to own electrical hardware test systems within an integrated engineering team
  • Creative problem solver that can balance schedule, resource, and technical constraints

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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