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Principal Rf Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

In your first 6 months, you will work with a multidisciplinary team of antenna, RF, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processing (DSP), software, mechanical, and electrical ...

Wehave multiple openings for a Microwave/RF Engineer to apply commercial and in-house simulation ... Advanced experience as a project manager of principal investigator for electromagnetics-related ...

We have multiple openings for a Microwave/RF Engineer to apply commercial and in-house simulation ... Advanced experience as a project manager of principal investigator for electromagnetics-related ...

We have multiple openings for a Microwave/RF Engineer to apply commercial and in-house simulation ... Advanced experience as a project manager of principal investigator for electromagnetics-related ...

Technical oversight responsibilities for less-senior engineers * Working across domains on complex projects * Architecting and requirements definition for complex RF products * Team leadership ...

Technical oversight responsibilities for less-senior engineers * Working across domains on complex projects * Architecting and requirements definition for complex RF products * Team leadership ...

In your first 6 months, you will work with a multidisciplinary team of antenna, RF, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processing (DSP), software, mechanical, and electrical ...

In your first 6 months, you will work with a multidisciplinary team of antenna, RF, field programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processing (DSP), software, mechanical, and electrical ...

Lead Antenna Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$120.80K - $159.10K/yr

You will work in close partnership with the Principal RF Systems Engineer, who will handle the transceiver and radio architecture, allowing you to focus deeply on the electromagnetics, array ...

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Principal Rf Engineer information

See California salary details

$73K

$145.3K

$209.7K

How much do principal rf engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal rf engineer in California is $145,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,900.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Principal RF Engineer job?

A Principal RF Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing radio frequency (RF) systems and components. They lead complex RF projects, analyze system performance, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. This role typically involves mentoring junior engineers, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and solving technical challenges related to wireless communication, antenna design, or signal propagation. Principal RF Engineers work in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, and defense to enhance wireless networks and communication systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Principal Rf Engineer position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Principal RF Engineer, extensive knowledge of radio frequency (RF) design, system integration, and a degree in electrical engineering or related field are essential. Experience with RF simulation tools (such as HFSS, ADS, or CST), familiarity with spectrum analyzers, and relevant certifications like the IEEE Wireless Communication certification are commonly expected. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, leadership, and clear communication skills help drive projects and support multidisciplinary collaboration. These attributes ensure successful RF system development, effective project leadership, and seamless integration of complex technologies in demanding environments.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Principal RF Engineer?

As a Principal RF Engineer, you can expect to spend your days designing and optimizing RF circuits and systems, conducting simulations and testing prototypes, and troubleshooting performance issues. You’ll frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware designers, software engineers, and project managers, to ensure seamless integration of RF components within larger systems. Additionally, you may mentor junior engineers, review technical documentation, and contribute to strategy discussions for new product initiatives. This dynamic role combines technical expertise with leadership and teamwork, offering both hands-on and strategic responsibilities.
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Rf Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Principal Rf Engineer jobs in California are:
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What cities in California are hiring for Principal Rf Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Principal Rf Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Principal Rf Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,292 per year, or $69.9 per hour.
Principal RF Mechanical Engineer

Principal RF Mechanical Engineer

Raytheon

San Jose, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Raytheon rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 81 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 512 rated manufacturers


Job description

Date Posted:

2026-02-26

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-AZ-TUCSON-M02 ~ 1151 E Hermans Rd ~ BLDG M02

Position Role Type:

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance​

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Ability to obtain INTERIM U.S. government issued security clearance is required prior to start date

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world. 

The RF Team at Raytheon is seeking a talented Engineer to join our team in Tucson, AZ.

The candidate will be responsible for providing innovative design solutions for the packaging of antennas, RF Circuit Card Assemblies, radomes, and RF test equipment. The selected candidate will be expected to lead multidiscipline teams, provide technical oversight, delegate tasks, and work with the Engineering organization to establish technology roadmaps, enable modernization, and contribute to general innovation. In addition, the candidate will work with customer personnel and program leadership to define and refine requirements to validate hardware compliance. The candidate will be responsible for providing guidance, coaching, mentoring, and training to other employees across the business within the candidate’s areas of expertise.

This position is an onsite role, located in Tucson, AZ.

What You Will Do:

  • Lead mechanical design activities involving RF hardware

  • Lead others by understanding team dynamics and capitalizing on team strengths while mitigating gaps

  • Lead trade studies to determine the best solution for complex and multifaceted problems and developing a plan forward. Convey the highest quality work while ensuring cost, schedule, and performance expectations are consistently met or exceeded.

  • Regularly convey task status on complex issues and influences strategic plans across multiple teams, programs, engineering and customer leadership

  • Seek opportunities to fill any role necessary to help ensure business unit success

Qualifications You Must Have:

  • Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience to include any combination of the following:

    • A minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience performing design, analysis, and/or leadership of mechanical products, preferably RF mechanical products such as circuit card assemblies, antennas, radomes, guidance sections, RF test equipment, harnesses, and interconnects throughout the product life cycle

    • Experience designing with three dimensional (3D) Computer Aided Design (CAD) software

    • Creation of Technical Data Packages (TDPs) using Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

Qualifications We Prefer:

  • Design experience with RF-specific products such as antennas, missile bodies, circuit card assemblies, and/or RF test chambers

  • Master of Science (MS) in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering

  • Experience serving as a Responsible Engineering Authority (REA), Control Account Manager (CAM), and/or Integrated Product Team Lead (IPTL)

  • Supplier management for built to print or build to specification RF products

  • Experience creating and presenting professional level design documentation to company leadership and program customers

  • Creo Simulate or ANSYS Workbench for preliminary structural and thermal analysis of design concepts

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Failure investigation, root cause identification, and corrective action implementation

  • Familiarity or direct experience with RF Printed Circuit Board (PCB) material stack ups and Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) layout

  • One dimensional tolerance analysis for complex mechanical assemblies

  • Development of technical proposals, engineering project estimates, and/or white papers

  • Requirements verification test planning and execution

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Learn More & Apply Now!

This position requires a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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