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Freelance Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Homewood, IL

SES

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

You will help us design and develop solutions aimed at providing key features, functionality, and ... QUIC, TCP / IP, HTTP Services), RF communication protocols (e.g. 802.11), hardware functional ...

MX1

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL

$152K/yr

You will help us design and develop solutions aimed at providing key features, functionality, and ... QUIC, TCP / IP, HTTP Services), RF communication protocols (e.g. 802.11), hardware functional ...

SES

Principal Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$152K/yr

You will help us design and develop solutions aimed at providing key features, functionality, and ... QUIC, TCP / IP, HTTP Services), RF communication protocols (e.g. 802.11), hardware functional ...

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Freelance Rf Design Engineer information

See Homewood, IL salary details

$14

$45

$127

How much do freelance rf design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance rf design engineer in Homewood, IL is $45.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.37 and $59.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Rf Design Engineer vs Rf Design Engineer?

AspectFreelance Rf Design EngineerRf Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically holds relevant engineering degrees, certifications optionalRequires engineering degree, often with industry certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteFull-time, employed by a company, on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageServes multiple clients across industries like telecom, aerospaceWorks for a single employer, primarily in telecommunications or electronics

Freelance Rf Design Engineers work independently on various projects, offering flexibility and diverse experience. Rf Design Engineers are typically employed full-time within companies, focusing on ongoing development. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications, but differ mainly in employment status and work setup.

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

To thrive as a Freelance RF Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, RF circuit theory, and experience with wireless communication systems, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Proficiency with RF simulation and design tools like HFSS, ADS, or CST, as well as familiarity with PCB design software, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for successful project delivery and client interactions. These skills and qualifications are essential to design reliable RF systems, meet client specifications, and maintain competitiveness in a project-based environment.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance RF design engineers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance RF Design Engineers often juggle projects for several clients at once, which can present challenges such as managing different project timelines, adapting to varied technical requirements, and ensuring clear communication across diverse teams. Balancing priorities and staying organized are crucial to delivering quality work within tight deadlines. Additionally, freelancers need to quickly familiarize themselves with each client's unique tools and processes, making adaptability and proactive problem-solving essential skills for success in this role.

What is a freelance RF design engineer?

Freelance RF Design Engineers are independent professionals who specialize in designing, testing, and optimizing radio frequency (RF) circuits and systems for various applications, such as telecommunications, wireless networks, and broadcasting. Unlike salaried employees, they work on a contract or project basis for different clients, providing their expertise on-demand. Their responsibilities often include creating schematics, selecting components, running simulations, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Freelance RF Design Engineers need strong technical skills, up-to-date knowledge of RF technologies, and the ability to manage projects independently.
Freelance Rf Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Rf Design Engineer job openings in Homewood, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,585 per year, or $46 per hour.

Principal Systems Engineer

SES

Chicago, IL • On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer
ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
SES Commercial Aviation team has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Systems Engineer. You will help us design and develop solutions aimed at providing key features, functionality, and future vision for Commercial Aviation connectivity to deliver an at home internet access experience while sitting on an airplane. Solutions integrate many individual sub-systems from the users' connected devices, through the aircraft, across satellites, ground-based teleports, data centers, and to the internet. Solutions are knit together and defined with various development teams and disciplines, product management, and support organizations.
The ideal candidate for this role will be a working member of the Commercial Aviation systems engineering team delivering quality technical solutions that address strategic technical and business needs carrying through concept, design, deployment, and field support. This role requires solid understanding of networking, ability to learn cutting edge technology and to drive its application to next generation solution realization, being able to communicate technical solutions and concepts in both written and verbal means to a variety of people and organizations, and contribute to cross-functional teams (such as hardware engineering, network engineering, satellite engineering, operations, satellite capacity planning) within SES, with suppliers, and with customers.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS
  • You will investigate new technologies and prove out their applicable use to SES' Commercial Aviation in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems.
  • Define system-level technical requirements for IFEC systems.
  • Define sub-system requirements for on-aircraft and ground-based IFEC hardware / servers.
  • Design and document high-level architecture for IFEC systems.
  • Work with Product Owners to review and refine epic and feature-level business requirements.
  • Work with Software Developers to refine feature-level software designs.
  • Work with Testers to ensure test cases accurately cover all technical requirements.
  • Be the point person resolving issues that appear in the field.

COMPETENCIES
  • Proven ability to understand complex systems comprised of communication, computing, and internet technologies.
  • Ability to aggregate, organize, and present complex technical information.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects efficiently.
  • Excellent analytical skills and ability to think critically.
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in an international, multi-site environment.
  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, or a related major.
  • Minimum of 4 years' experience writing technical requirements for embedded and/or telecommunication systems, system-level would be a bonus
  • Excellent working knowledge of common web / networking protocols (e.g. QUIC, TCP / IP, HTTP Services), RF communication protocols (e.g. 802.11), hardware functional understanding (e.g. compute resources and memory, communication mechanisms such as ethernet and discretes), and software functional understanding (e.g. VMs, Docker containers, software engineering concepts).
  • Knowledge and understanding of the following areas:
  • Web service and cloud computing infrastructure.
  • Network infrastructures including routers, gateways, SD-WANs, deep packet inspection systems, load balancers, and firewalls.
  • Wireless communication systems and protocols particularly 802.11 and Satellite (MEO, LEO, GEO).
  • Experience with front end process flow; understanding of process inputs from Product Management and needed outputs to Development and Test.

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS
It would be nice if you had:
  • Data management experience in areas such as data capture and distribution, data storage techniques, and data display techniques.
  • End-to-end knowledge of 5G and satellite systems.
  • Master's degree in telecommunications, engineering, computer science, or a related major.
  • Experience with Jama Connect or another requirements management tool.

The salary range for this full-time position is $110,600 - $152,100.
Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and geographic location. Individual compensation within the range is determined based on work location and a variety of factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and relevant education or training.
Additional compensation and benefits may apply depending on the location and terms of employment.
SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.
For more information on SES, click here.

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