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Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Lynk

RF Systems Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Job Summary As a RF Systems Test Engineer at Lynk, you will wear many hats in the world of RF hardware/electronics and software/firmware. The immediate role of the RF Systems Test Engineer will be to ...

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Test Engineer

Waynesboro, VA · On-site

$89K - $134K/yr

... drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're ... We are looking for you to join our team as an RF Test Engineer to support production and ...

Zetier

CNO Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

CNO Test Engineer Zetier seeks HW/SW Test Engineers to develop and implement automated test ... Experience working in RF (e.g. 802.11ac, Zigbee, SATCOM, SDN, 5g) * Professional experience with ...

Zetier

CNO Test Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

CNO Test Engineer Zetier seeks HW/SW Test Engineers to develop and implement automated test ... Experience working in RF (e.g. 802.11ac, Zigbee, SATCOM, SDN, 5g) * Professional experience with ...

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All JobsRf Drive Test Engineer JobsFreelance Rf Drive Test Engineer JobsFreelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance RF Drive Test Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance RF Drive Test Engineer, you need a solid understanding of wireless communication principles, RF measurement techniques, and a relevant degree in telecommunications or electrical engineering. Familiarity with drive test tools such as TEMS, Nemo, or Agilent, as well as proficiency in data analysis software, is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate findings clearly are important soft skills for this role. These skills ensure accurate network performance assessment, effective troubleshooting, and clear reporting, all of which are critical for optimizing wireless networks.

What is the difference between Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer vs Rf Network Optimization Engineer?

AspectFreelance Rf Drive Test EngineerRf Network Optimization Engineer
CredentialsTechnical certifications, relevant experienceCertifications in network optimization, technical background
Work EnvironmentField testing, on-site data collectionOffice-based, data analysis, planning
Employer & Industry UsageContract roles, telecom providers, testing companiesTelecom operators, network service providers

The Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer primarily conducts on-site drive tests to collect network performance data, often working independently or on contract. In contrast, the Rf Network Optimization Engineer focuses on analyzing data to improve network quality, usually working within a company's team. Both roles require technical certifications and industry knowledge, but their daily tasks and work environments differ significantly.

What are Freelance RF Drive Test Engineers?

Freelance RF Drive Test Engineers are independent professionals who specialize in testing and optimizing the performance of wireless networks. They use specialized equipment to collect data on signal strength, coverage, and quality by driving through designated routes or walking in specific areas. Their findings help telecom companies identify network issues, improve coverage, and enhance user experience. Working as freelancers, they take on projects from various clients and may operate in different locations as needed.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance RF Drive Test Engineers and how can they be addressed?

Freelance RF Drive Test Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing variable project schedules, adapting to different client requirements, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of testing tools and technologies. To address these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, stay proactive in communication with clients, and regularly invest time in learning about the latest RF equipment and software. Flexibility and a willingness to travel are also crucial, as projects may require work in diverse geographic locations or environments. Building a reliable network with other engineers and industry professionals can help secure steady work and provide support when facing technical or logistical issues.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

RF Systems Test Engineer

Lynk

Chantilly, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

About Lynk
Lynk is the inventor of satellite direct to standard phone technology aka sat2phone, and has the world's only commercial license from the FCC to operate a commercial sat2phone system. Today, Lynk allows mobile network operators' subscribers to send and receive text messages to and from space via standard unmodified, mobile devices. Lynk's service has been tested and proven on all seven continents, has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and is currently being deployed commercially based on more than 40 MNO commercial service contracts covering approximately 50 countries.
Our technology will enable all 8 billion people on the planet to stay connected with the existing standard phone in their pocket. Everywhere. No matter what.
By joining Lynk, you will have the opportunity to directly touch the lives of billions. Your mission will be to bring mobile broadband to billions, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, and save countless lives.
Job Summary
As a RF Systems Test Engineer at Lynk, you will wear many hats in the world of RF hardware/electronics and software/firmware. The immediate role of the RF Systems Test Engineer will be to support testing of the company's digital phased array antenna payload hardware in the lab environment. While playing with all this hardware on a bench, you will probably need to pick up a soldering gun, assemble circuits on a breadboard, use an oscilloscope, vector network analyzer, and spectrum analyzer.
This role is critical to the success of our mission, as you will be at the center of developing and executing the automated testing and verification for every aspect of the digital phased array payload that makes our service possible. As an RF Systems Test Engineer you will be expected to understand every detail of this complex system design and its expected function, including high speed mixed signal beamformer boards, clock distribution networks, RFFE boards, integrated radiating antenna elements, and full array calibration and verification procedures.
Core Responsibilities
  • Integrate flight and lab RF hardware electronics, design test beds, fixtures, etc. for operational verification of RF hardware and software technologies.
  • Design, develop, and document test and integration procedures for flight and lab RF hardware, particularly RF Front Ends, and Mixed-Signal Digital Electronics.
  • Design, develop, specify, and maintain hardware and software for Electronic Ground Support Equipment aka EGSE to be used to support satellite RF digital phased array payload verification, particularly before, during, and after functional and environmental testing.
  • Bench-level work with electronics to debug and troubleshoot issues that arise during testing, including functional and environmental testing.
  • Working alongside engineers and technicians, Inform the design, development, and optimization of the company's operational testing procedures and policies for our Production and research and development campaign for our space technology.
  • Huge focus on automation for testing and data collection tools to ensure testing can be done reliably, repeatedly, and at scale in production.

Basic Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree or better in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or similar degrees.
  • 5+ years of experience as an RF Engineer focused on system design and/or test.
  • Experience with standard RF lab equipment is required: Oscilloscopes, Spectrum and Vector Network Analyzer, Multimeter, etc.
  • Hands-on experience with RFFE printed circuit boards, single-board computers, microcontrollers, FPGAs, GPUs, CPUs, SoCs, software-defined radios, and/or antennas.
  • Ability to read and understand datasheets for integrated circuits and electronics.
  • Experience using Linux based systems and programming proficiency in one or more programming languages, such as Rust, C++, C, Python, MATLAB, etc.
  • Must have good communication skills and be able to work independently as well as in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications, Testing Experience in areas such as
  • EMI testing RE 102, RS103.
  • Vibration Testing, Experience with GEVs.
  • Familiarity with ethernet, serial and or CAN communication protocols.
  • Recent participation in projects developing space payload hardware and software, preferably communications systems.
  • Experience working with and testing Digitally or electronically steered Phased Array Antenna systems
  • Experience working with GSM/LTE/NR communications and cellular backhaul networks

ITAR Requirements
To comply with U.S. Government export control regulations (ITAR), applicants must be one of the following: (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158. Individuals who do not meet these criteria must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. For more information, please refer to the ITAR guidelines.
Learn about ITAR here.
Job Location
Chantilly, VA

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