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Power Amplifier Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 · 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 · 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 ...

Etched

Power Optimization Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

Work closely with Architects, Performance Engineers, Software Engineers, ASIC Design Engineers, and Physical Design teams to implement design for optimal power using advanced power management ...

Etched

Power Optimization Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

Work closely with Architects, Performance Engineers, Software Engineers, ASIC Design Engineers, and Physical Design teams to implement design for optimal power using advanced power management ...

Etched

Power Optimization Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$2.0K/mo

Work closely with Architects, Performance Engineers, Software Engineers, ASIC Design Engineers, and Physical Design teams to implement design for optimal power using advanced power management ...

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Power Amplifier Design information

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How much do power amplifier design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for power amplifier design 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 are some typical challenges faced in power amplifier design roles and how are they addressed?

Professionals in Power Amplifier Design often encounter challenges such as optimizing for high efficiency while maintaining linearity, managing thermal issues, and minimizing signal distortion in compact layouts. These challenges are addressed through advanced simulation, iterative prototyping, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams including RF, PCB, and test engineers. Regular design reviews, thorough testing, and staying updated with the latest technologies also play a key role in overcoming these obstacles. Being proactive and open to learning from peers helps resolve technical hurdles and supports continuous improvement in amplifier performance.

What is a power amplifier design?

A Power Amplifier Design job involves designing, testing, and optimizing power amplifiers for applications such as wireless communication, radio frequency (RF) systems, and audio equipment. Engineers in this role work on circuit design, component selection, thermal management, and efficiency improvements. They use simulation tools, hardware testing, and validation processes to ensure performance meets specifications. This role requires knowledge of RF principles, semiconductor devices, and PCB design techniques.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in power amplifier design?

To thrive in Power Amplifier Design, you need a strong background in RF engineering, analog circuit design, and a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with simulation tools like ADS or Cadence, proficiency in PCB layout software, and knowledge of relevant industry standards are highly valued, with certifications such as the FE or PE adding an advantage. Attention to detail, effective problem-solving, and collaboration are vital soft skills for excelling in project teams and meeting challenging design requirements. These abilities are crucial for creating reliable, high-performance amplifiers in demanding real-world applications.

What are the most commonly searched types of Power Amplifier Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Power Amplifier Design jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Power Amplifier Design jobs in California? For Power Amplifier Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Power Amplifier Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Power Amplifier Design jobs in California are:
Power Amplifier Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power Amplifier Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% 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

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

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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