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Rf Application Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Helsing

Senior RF Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

As an RF Engineer for Communications and Networking, you will work in one of the most contested ... application interfaces * Conduct RF link budget analysis and performance modeling to ensure ...

Helsing

Senior RF Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

As an RF Engineer for Communications and Networking, you will work in one of the most contested ... application interfaces * Conduct RF link budget analysis and performance modeling to ensure ...

i3

RF Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$88K - $163K/yr

Overview i3 has an exciting opportunity for a RF Engineer to support the Naval Research Laboratory ... MATLAB application in simulation and data analysis. Security Clearance: * Active Secret clearance.

VTG

Payload Engineer (RF)

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$175K - $210K/yr

Overview VTG is seeking a Payload Engineer (RF) in Chantilly, Va . What will you do ... Basic knowledge in application of SEIT methods to satellite, launch, and ground systems * Basic ...

MAG Aerospace

RF Engineer

Fort Belvoir, VA

$100K - $165K/yr

MAG Aerospace is seeking a cleared subject matter expert skilled in RF Engineering, Microwave ... Identifies critical spectrum management aspects affecting the development and application of new ...

MAG Aerospace

RF Engineer

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$100K - $165K/yr

Position Summary MAG Aerospace is seeking a cleared subject matter expert skilled in RF Engineering ... Identifies critical spectrum management aspects affecting the development and application of new ...

Judge Group, Inc.

Engineer-RF - II

Arlington, VA · On-site

$50 - $55/hr

RF Engineer Location: Remote Long term Contract MUST HAVE SKILLS (Most Important): Excellent ... your job application, and for other related purposes. Message & data rates apply and message ...

VTG

Payload Engineer (RF)

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$175K - $210K/yr

Overview VTG is seeking a Payload Engineer (RF) in Chantilly, Va . What will you do ... Basic knowledge in application of SEIT methods to satellite, launch, and ground systems * Basic ...

Blue Origin

RF Systems Engineer III

Reston, VA · On-site

Application close date: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is ... As an RF Systems Engineer III within the Advanced Capabilities organization, you will support a ...

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All JobsRf Application Engineer JobsRf Application Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Rf Application Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$52.5K

$115.2K

$158.1K

How much do rf application engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for rf application engineer in Reston, VA is $115,166.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,400.00 and $140,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by RF Application Engineers when working with customers on new product implementations?

RF Application Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating RF solutions into diverse customer systems, troubleshooting signal interference, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. They must effectively communicate technical concepts to clients with varying levels of RF knowledge and adapt solutions to fit unique application requirements. Collaborating closely with design, sales, and test teams is essential to address technical issues quickly and ensure customer satisfaction throughout the development cycle.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as software engineering, petroleum engineering, and aerospace engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Roles in management or with high-demand expertise can also reach or exceed this salary level.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior RF Application Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in RF design, and advanced certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually. High compensation is often associated with roles in leading technology companies, involving complex projects, and requiring expertise in tools like MATLAB, RF simulation software, and a strong understanding of wireless communication systems.

What are RF Application Engineers?

RF Application Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and support radio frequency (RF) systems and components used in wireless communication, radar, and other electronic devices. They work closely with clients and engineering teams to customize RF solutions, troubleshoot issues, and ensure optimal performance of products like antennas, transmitters, and receivers. Their role often involves testing, simulation, technical documentation, and providing customer support for RF applications. This job requires a strong background in electronics, electromagnetics, and wireless communication standards.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

An RF Application Engineer typically does not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within the tech or engineering industries. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in RF design, and leadership responsibilities may reach high six-figure incomes, but $500,000 is rare for standard RF Application Engineers. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

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

To thrive as an RF Application Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, RF circuit design, and signal processing, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with RF simulation tools such as ADS or HFSS, measurement equipment like network analyzers, and certifications in wireless standards are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills help in understanding client needs and effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These capabilities are crucial for developing reliable RF solutions that meet technical specifications and customer requirements.

Is RF engineering in demand?

RF Application Engineers are in demand due to the growing need for wireless communication, 5G technology, and IoT devices. The role requires expertise in RF design, testing, and troubleshooting, with job opportunities expanding in telecommunications, aerospace, and defense industries.

What is the difference between Rf Application Engineer vs Rf Design Engineer?

AspectRf Application EngineerRf Design Engineer
Primary FocusApplying and optimizing RF products in real-world systemsDesigning RF components and circuits from scratch
Skills & CertificationsRF testing, troubleshooting, certifications like FCC, industry experienceRF circuit design, simulation, CAD tools, relevant engineering degrees
Work EnvironmentField testing, customer support, product deploymentDesign labs, R&D departments, engineering teams
Industry UsageTelecom, wireless devices, consumer electronicsSemiconductor, RF component manufacturing, research

While both roles involve RF technology, the Rf Application Engineer focuses on applying and supporting RF products in practical settings, whereas the Rf Design Engineer concentrates on designing RF components and circuits. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Rf Application Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Rf Application Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Rf Application Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Rf Application Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Rf Application Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Rf Application Engineer job openings:
Rf Application Engineer jobs near you

Senior RF Engineer

Helsing

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Who we are
Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.
The role
AI-driven, autonomous systems cannot replace human decision making. To keep the human in the loop, communication to remote unmanned vehicles is crucial. As an RF Engineer for Communications and Networking, you will work in one of the most contested domains of the modern battlefield: the electromagnetic spectrum.
You will design, develop, and deploy advanced datalink systems for UAS-to-ground and UAS-to-UAS communications, including point-to-point and mesh network architectures. Your work will ensure robust, encrypted communications links for UAS operating in non-cooperative and contested environments, directly supporting mission-critical operations for US customers.
You will own radio communication end-to-end as part of new product design and iterations on existing systems. You make pragmatic decisions when to integrate available solutions and when to develop new capabilities that shape the contested environment of the frontline RF space. Working closely with systems engineers, avionics teams, and customer-facing program managers, you will be the key to ensuring the right decision can be made at the right time.
The day-to-day
  • Design and develop UAS-to-ground and UAS-to-UAS datalink architectures, including point-to-point and mesh network topologies for resilient communications
  • Develop robust, encrypted communication links for UAS operating in non-cooperative, contested, and denied environments
  • Integrate tactical C2 networks with UAS platforms, including systems such as IBCS (Integrated Battle Command System), Tactical Scalable Mesh (TSM), and other military communication standards
  • Stay on top of the market and ever-changing battlefield situations to identify existing, promising, or missing RF solutions
  • Test, validate, and integrate radio systems into newly developed and existing products, working against customer and internal requirements to build reliable radio solutions
  • Obtain US FCC spectrum approvals and manage frequency coordination for testing and operational use in US regulatory environments
  • Collaborate with governmental bodies to get permissions for licensed bands and power outputs to test and demonstrate modern radio systems in regulated RF domains
  • Design and implement Software Defined Radio (SDR) solutions, working with RF frontends, modem implementations, and application interfaces
  • Conduct RF link budget analysis and performance modeling to ensure datalink reliability across operational ranges and environments
  • Work with external partners to access specialized equipment and build up internal lab capabilities for commonly executed tests
  • Shape discussions inside the company as a go-to expert for radio communications and serve as a technical authority for US customer engagements
You should apply if you
  • Hold a degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field
  • Have several years of experience designing and deploying military datalinks, mesh networks, or tactical communications systems
  • Possess deep knowledge of military and civil communication technologies, including Software Defined Radios, data links, air-to-air and air-to-ground communications, mesh networking protocols (e.g., MANET), network management, and secure communications
  • Have experience integrating UAS with tactical C2 networks and understand military communication architectures and interoperability standards
  • Demonstrate strong understanding of how radio technology works and where its limitations lie
  • Have experience with US FCC spectrum management, frequency allocation processes, and compliance with US regulatory requirements
  • Possess knowledge of RF link design, including antenna design, propagation modeling, and link budget analysis
  • Understand encryption and cybersecurity requirements for military communications, including AES-256 and other COMSEC standards
  • Have strong communication skills and enjoy working with internal stakeholders and external companies, including US government agencies and defense contractors
  • Are pragmatic and validate calculated expectations in the real world to be satisfied

Note: We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarized in a few bullet points.
Nice to Have
  • Designed, built, and evaluated custom antennas for airborne platforms
  • Built, worked on, or implemented a Software Defined Radio solution
  • Experience with specific tactical datalinks such as Link 16, JREAP, CDL (Common Data Link), or Cursor-on-Target (CoT)
  • Familiarity with Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANET) and dynamic mesh routing protocols
  • Knowledge of Electronic Warfare (EW) techniques, anti-jam waveforms, and LPI/LPD (Low Probability of Intercept/Detection) communications
  • Experience with spectrum analyzers and RF test equipment for pre-flight checks and interference mitigation
  • Understanding of MIMO, OFDM, OFDMA transmission schemes and beamforming techniques
  • Experience working with Silvus, Persistent Systems (MPU5), or similar tactical radio systems
  • Knowledge of NATO STANAG communication standards and interoperability requirements
  • Familiarity with ITAR/EAR export control regulations related to communications equipment
  • Experience in the defense industry or contested RF environments
Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields
  • Helsing's work is important. You'll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns
  • The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world
  • Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defense industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward
  • In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts
  • We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practice responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn't work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about
What we offer
  • A focus on outcomes, not time-tracking
  • A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.
  • Growth toward global roles in our Finance organization

The base salary offered to the successful candidate will be determined by a variety of factors including relevant experience, qualifications, education, skill level, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.
Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.
Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here.

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