Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercury Systems is seeking the best and brightest talent to help us bring cutting-edge technology to mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, advancing innovation where it matters most.

Join our team as a Test Engineer III in our Integrated Processing Solutions business unit, where you'll serve as a technical test lead on a major program focused on sophisticated RF transmitter/receiver systems. This role centers on RF and antenna testing, environmental qualification, and test strategy development for mission-critical defense applications.

• Lead Design Verification Test (DVT) strategy and execution for complex RF transmitter/receiver systems and subsystems
• Design and develop specialized RF test fixtures, antenna test ranges, and test interface boards for RF subsystems
• Perform comprehensive antenna testing including radiation patterns, gain measurements, VSWR, impedance matching, and far-field/near-field characterization
• Conduct RF system performance testing including transmit power, receiver sensitivity, spurious emissions, harmonics, and intermodulation distortion
• Develop and maintain sophisticated automated test scripts for RF instrument control, data acquisition, and automated reporting
• Lead environmental and qualification testing per MIL-STD-810H (thermal, vibration, shock) and MIL-STD-461G (EMI/EMC) standards
• Perform root cause analysis on complex RF test failures and drive resolution with cross-functional teams
• Develop comprehensive test procedures and own formal test reports with full requirements traceability
• Maintain test equipment calibration records and lead configuration management of test assets
• Lead production test handoff activities including documentation, automation development, and knowledge transfer
• Interface with design engineering, program management, and manufacturing as the RF test subject matter expert for the program
• Support test planning, resource allocation, and schedule management activities

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Typically requires a minimum of 4 years of related experience in electronics test engineering
• Extensive hands-on experience testing RF systems, transmitters, receivers, or antenna systems
• Strong programming experience in languages such as Python, .NET, or similar for test automation and data analysis
• Advanced proficiency with RF test equipment: spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters, anechoic chambers, and antenna test ranges (including CATR)
• Demonstrated experience with antenna testing and characterization techniques
• Strong understanding of RF communication principles, modulation schemes, and link budgets
• Experience with MIL-STD environmental and EMI/EMC testing standards (810H, 461G)
• This position requires you to have or obtain a government security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens.
• Travel approximately 10-15% to external test facilities

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or similar) for test automation development
• Experience with advanced antenna testing: phased arrays, AESA systems, and OTA methodologies
• Experience with additional MIL-STD test standards (704, 1275, or similar)
• Experience with RF test fixture design or PCB layout tools for RF applications
• Familiarity with additional languages such as C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Rust, or SQL
• Knowledge of antenna design principles and electromagnetic theory
• Experience with requirements management tools (JAMA, DOORS)
• Understanding of Design for Test (DFT) principles for RF systems
• Previous experience in aerospace, defense, or ruggedized electronics industries
• Existing Secret clearance or higher
• Experience with OpenVPX/SOSA architecture, VITA standards (46.11, 48.2, 62, 65, 67.3), and RFSoC/FPGA-based RF systems
• Experience with high-speed data interfaces including 100GigE, 40GigE, 10GigE, and fiber optic connections

• This position is on-site at Mercury Systems, Phoenix, AZ
• Enjoy every other Friday off with our 9/80 work schedule!

Mercury Systems is a technology company that makes the world a safer, more secure place. We push processing power to the tactical edge, making the latest commercial technologies profoundly more accessible for today's most challenging aerospace and defense missions. From silicon to system scale, Mercury enables customers to accelerate innovation and turn data into decision superiority. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Mercury employs more than 2,300 people in 24 locations worldwide. To learn more, visit mrcy.com

Our Culture

We are committed to making Mercury a great place to work, no matter where our employees are located. We offer a casual and enjoyable atmosphere that allows employees to learn and grow. We help and care for one another and work as one to achieve results for us and for our customers. We value communication and transparency, and strive to foster two-way dialogue at all levels of the organization. We are committed to lifelong learning, offering comprehensive skills training and tuition reimbursement. Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or you are an experienced professional, it's important to us that you feel recognized and rewarded for your contributions.

To find out more aboutWhy Mercury?, or visit the Mercury Community or find answers to general questions at Mercury FAQs

Mercury Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, creed, citizenship, disability, protected veteran or marital status.

As an equal opportunity employer, Mercury Systems is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact the number below for assistance.

(978) 256-1300

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