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Freelance Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Coherent

Lead Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

Horsham, PA

$101K - $133K/yr

Run a variety of RF simulation tools, including HFSS, ADS, and CST * Run a variety of CAD tools ... Work with test engineering teams to perform characterization of silicon photonics devices * Work ...

Coherent

Lead Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$101K - $133K/yr

Run a variety of RF simulation tools, including HFSS, ADS, and CST * Run a variety of CAD tools ... Work with test engineering teams to perform characterization of silicon photonics devices * Work ...

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

RF Design / Analog & Digital Design and Simulation * PCB Layout * Design Verification Testing and ... Education & Experience * Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or ...

II-VI Incorporated

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA

$121K - $160K/yr

RF Design / Analog & Digital Design and Simulation * PCB Layout * Design Verification Testing and ... Education & Experience * Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or ...

Coherent Corp.

Lead Hardware Engineer

Horsham, PA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

RF Design / Analog & Digital Design and Simulation * PCB Layout * Design Verification Testing and ... Education & Experience * Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or ...

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All JobsRf Design Engineer JobsFreelance Rf Design Engineer JobsFreelance Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Freelance Rf Design Engineer information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$15

$48

$133

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

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance rf design engineer in Philadelphia, PA is $48.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.52 and $62.36 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

The most popular types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Rf Design Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA?

For Freelance Rf Design Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Freelance Rf Design Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:

Freelance Rf Design Engineer jobs near you

Principal Silicon Photonics Design Engineer

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Horsham, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description


Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Design and tapeout silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) including integrated coherent receivers and integrated coherent transmitter PICs.
  • Design and prepare PIC layouts using industry-standard PIC design flows including:
    • Synopsys OptoCompiler
    • Cadence Virtuoso-based photonic design flows
  • Implement parametric layout cells (PCells) and scripted layout generation to support scalable photonic circuit design.
  • Develop and simulate passive photonic components.
  • Model and simulate active photonic devices.
  • Perform electromagnetic, optical, and electrical simulations using tools such as:
    • Lumerical (FDTD, MODE, DEVICE, INTERCONNECT)
    • CST Microwave Studio
    • HFSS
    • Tidy3D
    • ADS
    • Other PIC design and verification tools as required.
  • Support the local development of photonic components for multiple silicon photonics foundries and technology platforms.
  • Work closely with external silicon photonics foundries to successfully design, verify, and tapeout advanced PICs.
  • Conduct design corner analysis to ensure device robustness across process, voltage, temperature, and fabrication variations.
  • Perform post-layout simulations and verification, including optical, RF, and electro-optic performance validation.
  • Develop compact models and simulation workflows for system-level verification of photonic circuits.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including:
    • Electronics / IC design
    • Packaging engineering
    • Optical system engineering
    • Test engineering
    • Reliability engineering
    • Manufacturing and operations
  • Support product development through New Product Introduction (NPI) phases including prototype validation, characterization, and design improvements.
  • Work with reliability engineering teams to define qualification plans, including lifetime testing, environmental stress testing, and failure analysis.
  • Support transition from prototype to high-volume manufacturing, including:
    • Design for manufacturability (DFM)
    • Process variation mitigation
    • Yield optimization
    • Test strategy development
    • Production monitoring and yield analysis.
  • Participate in design reviews, documentation, and technical presentations.
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices for silicon photonic design within the organization.

Education & Experience
  • PhD or MS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Photonics, or related field.
  • Typically 5+ years of experience in silicon photonics design, integrated photonics, or optical communication systems.
  • Proven experience with silicon photonics PIC tapeouts and foundry interactions.

Skills
  • Strong expertise in silicon photonics device physics and PIC design methodologies.
  • Experience with electromagnetic simulation and photonic design tools.
  • Familiarity with photonic foundry design kits (PDKs) and layout environments.
  • Strong understanding of optical communication systems and coherent optical architectures.
  • Experience with RF design and electro-optic device modeling.
  • Knowledge of packaging and fiber coupling techniques for photonic devices.
  • Programming experience for simulation automation and data analysis.
  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
  • Excellent collaboration skills for working with cross-functional engineering teams.

Working Conditions
  • Authorized to work in US

Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

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