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Power Amplifier Design Engineer Jobs in California

Elve Inc

Amplifier Design Engineer

Davis, CA · On-site

The amplifier design engineer at Elve will be responsible for the design and optimization of RF power amplifiers together with a team of engineers and technical experts. This role encompasses the ...

Elve Inc

Amplifier Design Engineer

Davis, CA

The amplifier design engineer at Elve will be responsible for the design and optimization of RF power amplifiers together with a team of engineers and technical experts. This role encompasses the ...

Elve Inc

Amplifier Design Engineer

Davis, CA · On-site

The amplifier design engineer at Elve will be responsible for the design and optimization of RF power amplifiers together with a team of engineers and technical experts. This role encompasses the ...

Wipro Limited

Power Design Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$60K - $148K/yr

Power Design Engineer City: Mountain View State/Province: California Posting Start Date: 7/21/26 Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting ...

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All JobsPower Amplifier Design Engineer JobsPower Amplifier Design Engineer Jobs in California

Power Amplifier Design Engineer information

See California salary details

$52

$71

$92

How much do power amplifier design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for power amplifier design engineer in California is $71.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66.44 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Power Amplifier Design Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectPower Amplifier Design EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in RF or analog circuit designBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, with focus on RF systems or communications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesDesign labs, field testing sites, communication system environments
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, defenseWireless communications, satellite, radar, mobile networks

While both roles involve RF and analog circuit knowledge, Power Amplifier Design Engineers focus specifically on designing high-power amplification components, whereas RF Engineers work on broader RF system design, integration, and testing. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and specialization.

What does a Power Amplifier Design Engineer do?

A Power Amplifier Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing power amplifiers used in various electronic devices, such as wireless communication systems and audio equipment. They work with circuit design, simulation, prototyping, and performance analysis to ensure the amplifier meets required specifications for efficiency, linearity, and output power. These engineers often collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate amplifiers into larger systems and troubleshoot any issues that arise during development or production.

What are some common challenges Power Amplifier Design Engineers face when optimizing designs for efficiency and linearity?

Power Amplifier Design Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing efficiency with linearity, especially in applications like wireless communications where both are critical. Achieving high efficiency can sometimes compromise linearity, leading to signal distortion. Engineers address this by selecting appropriate topologies, implementing linearization techniques, and carefully optimizing biasing and matching networks. Collaboration with system architects and RF layout engineers is also essential to ensure that the amplifier meets overall system requirements while maintaining manufacturability and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Power Amplifier Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Power Amplifier Design Engineer, you need a strong background in RF/microwave engineering, circuit design, and a relevant degree such as electrical engineering. Experience with simulation tools like ADS, Cadence, or HFSS and familiarity with PCB layout and test equipment are typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with teams and solving complex design challenges. These skills and qualifications ensure the creation of reliable, high-performance amplifiers critical to modern communication and electronic systems.
What are popular job titles related to Power Amplifier Design Engineer jobs in California? For Power Amplifier Design Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Power Amplifier Design Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Power Amplifier Design Engineer jobs in California are:
Power Amplifier Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power Amplifier Design Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 36% Internship, 36% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 61% Physical, and 39% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,022 per year, or $71.6 per hour.

RF Power Amplifier Design Engineer

GreenWave Radios

San Diego, CA • On-site

$125K - $180K/yr

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

About the Role

As an RF Power Amplifier Design Engineer, you'll report to the VP of Engineering and drive the development of ultra-high-efficiency RF power amplifiers for our 5G cellular base station solutions. Our PA technology sits at the heart of a system-level approach to dramatically cutting base station power consumption, and this role puts you on the critical path from concept through volume production. This full-time position is based in San Diego, CA.

What You'll Do
  • Develop ultra-high-efficiency RF power amplifiers (PAs) for 5G FR1 base station solutions
  • Evaluate and adapt the use of available transistors and amplifiers for the design of these PAs in various (Gan, GaAs, LDMOS) technologies as applicable
  • Design, simulate, and debug/evaluate RF PAs, presenting results to peers and stakeholders throughout the design cycle
  • As simulation is imperfect, extract relevant empirical data to hone in on design targets
  • Partner with Systems, RF/Analog, Digital, and Firmware engineers to deliver a complete base station solution
  • Own RF PA designs through volume production, resolving issues that surface along the way
  • Document your designs and teach them to peers, integrators, and customers
What You Bring
  • BSEE required, MSEE or PhD preferred
  • Six or more years of direct, hands-on RF discrete PA design experience
  • Proven experience across the full high-efficiency PA development cycle: device selection, evaluation and modeling, circuit design, linear and nonlinear simulation, PCB layout and parasitic extraction (EM analysis), and lab debug/bring-up/performance optimization
  • Working knowledge of efficiency-enhancement PA architectures such as (multi-level) Doherty, outphasing, active load modulation, and envelope restoration
  • Design experience spanning 0.5 MHz-6 GHz, with a solid understanding of higher-frequency effects
  • Strong grasp of device biasing, RF dependencies, and (temperature) compensation techniques
  • Excellent RF test and measurement skills
  • Solid understanding of nonlinear effects, compensation methods, and transmitter linearization techniques
  • Fluency with SMT component selection and associated impairments
  • Expert-level use of industry-standard RF design tools (e.g., Keysight ADS)
  • Analytical, disciplined problem-solving approach paired with excellent communication and presentation skills
Nice to Have
  • Working knowledge of transmitter linearization algorithms and their capabilities
  • Custom device process selection, design, and implementation experience
  • Broad exposure to RF passive (distributed) structures
  • Sharp understanding of the relationships between CW and modulated device operation and performance
  • Deep knowledge of PCB materials for RF design, including cost, reliability, and other tradeoffs
  • Familiarity with RF PA-specific mechanical and thermal management approaches
  • Experience with foundry model/PDK installation and use
  • Interest in or experience with AI-assisted test data analysis and ML-based signal/power integrity prediction tools to catch issues earlier in the design cycle
  • General comfort adopting AI-augmented workflows to boost design productivity -- this is a plus, not a requirement, for the right hands-on RF PA expert
Compensation and Benefits

At InnoPhase, dba GreenWave Radios, our total rewards package includes both a competitive base salary and pre-IPO stock options. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $125,000 to $180,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including market conditions, interview performance, skills, qualifications, experience, education, and geographic location. In addition to base pay, employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. For detailed information on our benefits programs, please visit our website.

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