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Rf Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mission Microwave

RF Engineer SSPA

Cypress, CA · On-site

$160K - $170K/yr

... operating in the world's most demanding environments. What You'll Do * Design innovative pre ... Design and simulate RF/microwave circuits and subsystems--including power amplifiers, up/down ...

Abbott

Senior RF Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

The Senior RF Engineer; oversees design and testing of the RF communications hardware within Abbott ... Demonstrated ability to understand and comply with applicable FDA regulations and Company operating ...

Inversion

RF Design Engineer I

Los Angeles, CA

These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying ...

Inversion

RF Test Engineer I

Los Angeles, CA

These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying ...

Abbott

Senior RF Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

The Senior RF Engineer; oversees design and testing of the RF communications hardware within Abbott ... Demonstrated ability to understand and comply with applicable FDA regulations and Company operating ...

Inversion

RF Design Engineer I

Vista, CA · On-site

These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds. Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying ...

ARCTICOM LLC

RF Technician

Anchorage, AK · On-site

RF Technician - Anchorage, AK The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a ... Competent Operating Test Equipment (Communications Service Monitors, Wattmeter, TDRs, FDRs ...

Helsing

Senior RF Engineer

Washington, DC

As an RF Engineer for Communications and Networking, you will work in one of the most contested ... Your work will ensure robust, encrypted communications links for UAS operating in non-cooperative ...

ARCTICOM LLC

RF Technician

Anchorage, AK · On-site

RF Technician - Anchorage, AK The Essential Duties and Responsibilities are intended to present a ... Competent Operating Test Equipment (Communications Service Monitors, Wattmeter, TDRs, FDRs ...

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

Sr. RF Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$101K - $202K/yr

Develop RF front ends operating from sub-GHz up to mmWave * Simulate circuit performance using ADS, CST, Spice, and other simulation software. * Perform RF lineup calculation for both Rx (Noise ...

Stellant Systems

RF Test Technician

Torrance, CA

$30 - $35/hr

RF Test Technician Job Location: Torrance, CA Salary: $30.00-$35.00/hr DOE The RF Test Technician ... Work from schematics, work instructions, drawings and operating procedures * May assist engineers ...

CHAOS Industries

Senior Principal RF Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$190K - $260K/yr

... operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving ... Role Overview: CHAOS is seeking a Sr. Principal RF Engineer with deep expertise in RF circuit ...

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RF Operator information

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How much do rf operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for rf operator in the United States is $23.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by RF Operators when maintaining and troubleshooting radio frequency equipment?

RF Operators often encounter challenges such as signal interference, equipment calibration issues, and unexpected downtime due to hardware faults. Diagnosing and resolving these problems requires a strong understanding of electronic circuits, attention to detail, and the ability to interpret technical manuals and schematics. Working closely with engineers and other technical staff, RF Operators must also keep up with evolving technologies to ensure optimal equipment performance and compliance with safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RF Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an RF Operator, you need a solid understanding of radio frequency (RF) theory, electronics, and troubleshooting, often supported by technical training or certification in electronics or communications. Familiarity with RF testing equipment, spectrum analyzers, and specialized software is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the reliable operation, maintenance, and optimization of RF systems, which are critical for uninterrupted communications and signal quality.

What is RF in salary?

In the context of an RF Operator, RF in salary typically refers to the base pay or fixed salary component before bonuses or additional compensation. It represents the standard earnings for performing radio frequency-related tasks, often involving equipment calibration, signal testing, and maintenance. The actual salary can vary based on experience, location, and industry standards.

What is the difference between Rf Operator vs Radio Frequency Technician?

AspectRf OperatorRadio Frequency Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationsTechnical certifications or associate degree in electronics or communications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, telecommunications sites, or military facilitiesField sites, laboratories, or maintenance facilities
Industry UsageTelecommunications, manufacturing, militaryTelecommunications, broadcasting, defense
Job FocusOperating and monitoring RF equipmentInstalling, troubleshooting, and maintaining RF systems

While both roles involve working with radio frequency equipment, Rf Operators primarily focus on operating and monitoring RF systems, often in manufacturing or military settings. Radio Frequency Technicians have a broader scope, including installing and repairing RF systems, requiring more technical training. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Jobs that can pay $500,000 or more annually in the US typically include executive roles such as CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite positions, as well as specialized professions like top-tier surgeons, investment bankers, and successful entrepreneurs. These roles often require extensive experience, advanced skills, and sometimes ownership or leadership of large organizations or businesses.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

High-paying media jobs that can reach $150,000 annually include senior roles such as media directors, broadcast engineers, and technical managers, often requiring advanced skills, experience, and certifications. Positions in specialized areas like broadcast engineering or media technology management tend to offer higher salaries, especially in large organizations or competitive markets.

What is an RF job?

An RF operator is responsible for managing and maintaining radio frequency equipment used in telecommunications, broadcasting, or radar systems. The role often requires understanding of RF technology, troubleshooting skills, and adherence to safety protocols, with certifications like FCC licensing sometimes necessary. RF operators work in environments such as communication towers, labs, or field sites to ensure proper signal transmission and reception.

What are RF Operators?

RF Operators, or Radio Frequency Operators, are professionals who set up, monitor, and maintain equipment that transmits or receives radio frequency signals. They are commonly employed in industries such as broadcasting, telecommunications, military, and manufacturing. Their responsibilities include adjusting frequencies, troubleshooting signal issues, and ensuring regulatory compliance. RF Operators play a crucial role in maintaining clear and uninterrupted communication channels.
More about RF Operator jobs
What job categories do people searching Rf Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Rf Operator jobs are:
RF Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rf Operator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 35% Full Time, 63% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,098 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Senior RF Geolocation Engineer

CHAOS Industries

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage-domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.
CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.
Role Overview:
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Senior RF Geolocation Engineer to lead the development of advanced passive RF geolocation capabilities for our electromagnetic warfare product line. This role is focused on deriving, implementing, and validating high-performance localization solutions that enable CHAOS's distributed systems to detect, characterize, and geolocate non-cooperative RF emitters in complex environments. The engineer will contribute across the full algorithm lifecycle, from first-principles formulation and high-fidelity modeling through software integration, calibration, field demonstration, and validation, and will collaborate closely with Business Development, Production, and cross-functional Engineering teams.
Responsibilities:
As a key contributor to the Spectrum Sensing Team, the Senior RF Geolocation Engineer will help redefine our spectrum sensing capabilities around high-confidence passive geolocation. The day-to-day will be diverse, hands-on, and highly technical, with direct impact on next-generation distributed sensing products. The engineer will:
  • Design and derive advanced passive RF geolocation algorithms from first principles, with emphasis on TDOA, FDOA, and hybrid geolocation architectures across distributed sensor networks
  • Develop coherent and non-coherent passive geolocation and imaging approaches, including phase-aligned multi-node processing for interferometric performance and robust envelope-based localization methods
  • Apply statistical signal detection frameworks, including Neyman-Pearson, Bayesian, and CFAR methodologies, to maximize probability of detection across varying noise, interference, and target conditions
  • Apply estimation and detection theory, including maximum likelihood estimation, error bound analysis, and linear algebraic methods, to formulate robust and analytically defensible localization solutions
  • Model, simulate, and mitigate real-world nonidealities such as oscillator phase noise, timing jitter, calibration error, uncertain sensor geometry, and low-SNR operating conditions
  • Develop, implement, and refine software for passive geolocation, emitter localization, and RF scene analysis using Python, MATLAB, C++, or related languages
  • Translate mathematically intensive algorithms into efficient real-time implementations on DSP, GPU, or other accelerated compute architectures as system needs require
  • Build high-fidelity simulation environments to evaluate geolocation accuracy, sensitivity, error budgets, and system tradeoffs before deployment
  • Partner with hardware and systems engineers to define RF front-end and timing requirements by quantifying their effect on end-to-end geolocation performance
  • Support algorithm integration, system calibration, test planning, and field validation in representative operational environments
  • Clearly document algorithm assumptions, derivations, performance limits, and test results for internal stakeholders and external customers
  • This role will require periodic travel, up to 30%.

Minimum Requirements:
  • B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field
  • 5+ years of relevant experience developing RF signal processing, estimation, or geolocation algorithms
  • Strong foundation in statistical and time-domain signal processing, detection and estimation theory, backpropagation, and applied linear algebra
  • Demonstrated experience developing passive RF geolocation algorithms, such as TDOA, FDOA, multilateration, direction finding, interferometry, or hybrid localization methods
  • Experience applying rigorous detection frameworks such as Neyman-Pearson, Bayesian inference, CFAR, or related methods to noisy and contested RF environments
  • Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar languages for modeling, simulation, and implementation of signal processing algorithms
  • Experience evaluating algorithm performance under real-world impairments, including low SNR, synchronization error, sensor geometry uncertainty, or interference
  • Ability to translate theoretical models into practical software suitable for integration with RF/SDR hardware and production code bases
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly document technical approaches, assumptions, and performance results
  • Must be able to work on-site 3-5 days per week in Hawthorne, CA or Washington, D.C.
  • U.S. citizen
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Requirements:
  • M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field
  • Current U.S. security clearance
  • Deep expertise in passive RF geolocation, interferometric processing, distributed coherent sensing, or passive imaging architectures
  • Demonstrated community-accepted (peer-reviewed) contributions to geolocation techniques
  • Experience deriving estimators and analytical bounds such as maximum likelihood estimators, Cramer-Rao lower bounds, and geolocation error budgets
  • Experience optimizing signal processing algorithms for real-time execution on GPU, FPGA, DSP, or heterogeneous compute platforms
  • Experience taking algorithms from concept through simulation, integration, calibration, and field-test validation
  • Ability to define system-level requirements for RF front ends, clocks, synchronization, and calibration based on algorithm sensitivity and accuracy analysis
  • Expertise with software defined radios and associated RF signal processing toolchains
  • Experience in military or other government environments performing related technical work in a fast-paced, mission-driven setting
  • Experience with agile development tools such as JIRA and Confluence

Why CHAOS?
  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, 'No meeting Fridays', unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 250 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $180,000 - $230,000
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.
Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.
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