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Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Bethlehem, PA

Optical Test Development Engineer

Allentown, PA · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

As an Optical Test Development Engineer, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of ... that drive the industry forward. * Must-Have: * A bachelor's degree in optical or electrical ...

Reliability Engineer

Allentown, PA · On-site

$88K - $163K/yr

... Test Engineers, and Manufacturing Operations, all passionate about innovation in optical ... Responsibilities Drive reliability qualification and production monitoring for optical ...

Reliability Engineer

Allentown, PA · On-site

$101K - $127K/yr

... Test Engineers, and Manufacturing Operations, all passionate about innovation in optical ... drive product excellence. You will thrive in a data-driven culture, employing your analytical ...

Hardware engineer (Granada, Spain)

Bath, PA · On-site

$113K - $149K/yr

Test prototype designs to guarantee they meet requirements, identifying potential issues before ... Communications RF circuitry design. * Design and routing of high-speed digital circuits (10G ...

Hardware engineer (Granada, Spain)

Bath, PA · On-site

$113K - $149K/yr

Test prototype designs to guarantee they meet requirements, identifying potential issues before ... Communications RF circuitry design. * Design and routing of high-speed digital circuits (10G ...

FPGA DESIGN ENGINEER

Warren, NJ · On-site

$127K - $176K/yr

Collaborate with verification engineers to define test benches and validate designs. * Debug and ... O-RAN, DSP, Xilinx FPGA, RF-SOC, PTP, Ethernet * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical ...

Showing results 21-40

Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer information

See Bethlehem, PA salary details

$36.6K

$116.3K

$180.8K

How much do freelance rf drive test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance rf drive test engineer in Bethlehem, PA is $116,277.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,300.00 and $137,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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 is a freelance RF drive test engineer?

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 cities near Bethlehem, PA are hiring for Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer jobs? Cities near Bethlehem, PA with the most Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer job openings in Bethlehem, PA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,277 per year, or $55.9 per hour.

Sr Product Test Capability Engineer

Nokia

Allentown, PA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Nokia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 97 rated telecommunications companies


Job description

As a Sr Product Test Capability Engineer at Nokia, you will join a dynamic team focused on advancing optical communication technologies. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, you will directly influence the performance of our innovative pluggable products. Your work will involve developing test plans, analyzing results, and driving improvements in efficiency and yield. The collaborative environment fosters open communication, where your insights and feedback are valued and can lead to meaningful changes. Enjoy competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth. Work in a state-of-the-art facility in Allentown, PA, and be part of a company that values creativity and innovation in technology.  We are looking for recent or upcoming graduates (MS or PhD) in Physics, Optics or Data Science for this role.

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we're advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world. 

Learn more about life at Nokia.


Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you're interested in this role but don't meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia. 

Some of our benefits in US:
  • Corporate Retirement Savings Plan
  • Health and dental benefits
  • Short-term disability, and long-term disability
  • Life insurance, and AD&D - Company paid 2x base pay
  • Optional or Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
  • Paid time off for holidays and Vacation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Tuition Assistance Plan
  • Adoption assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program

The above benefits exclude students.


Disclaimer for US/Canada

Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity. Check the salary ranges in the job info section for this role.

All North America job posts will post for a minimum of 7 calendar days and up to 180 days or until candidate/s identified.

Must-Have:

  • MS in science or engineering; PhD preferred (Physics, Optics, Data Science, etc.)
  • Proven experience in data analytics and statistical modeling
  • Proficiency in SQL, preferably MySQL or other relational database frameworks
  • Ability to define and implement detailed testability requirements
  •  Experience in cross-functional collaboration with development teams

 Nice-To-Have:

  • Familiarity with applied optics in a practical setting
  • Previous Infinera or Nokia internship experience
  • Exposure to Azure DevOps, Bitbucket, or similar source control platforms
  • Experience with data analysis and visualization tools
  • Knowledge of project management methodologies
  • Familiarity with VB.net or similar programming languages
     
  • Develop and implement test plans for Nokia's coherent pluggable products leveraging Photonics Integrated Circuits (PICs).
  • Analyze optical communication fundamentals to assess the performance characteristics of optical transceivers.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to establish and document testability requirements. 
  • Ensure clear communication with development teams to align on test plan execution. 
  • Review and assess test platform validation results, providing actionable feedback to developers. 
  • Coordinate changes to the test platform and facilitate their integration into the manufacturing process. 
  • Support fault isolation and provide insights to technical teams in design and manufacturing.
  • Drive initiatives to enhance test yield and reduce test cycle times.

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