ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Rf Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Aerospace Corporation

$117K - $226K/yr

AR&E is looking for a Research and Development Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer ... Radio frequency (RF) components, architectures, and signal processing * Remote sensing technologies ...

The Aerospace Corporation

$117K - $226K/yr

AR&E is looking for a Research and Development Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer ... Radio frequency (RF) components, architectures, and signal processing * Remote sensing technologies ...

Nokia Federal Solutions Inc.

RF Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Support the development of RF front-end architectures, including power amplifiers, low-noise ... Develop RF schematics and provide guidance to PCB layout engineers. * Review RF PCB layouts for ...

Fenix Group, Inc

RF Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Support the development of RF front-end architectures, including power amplifiers, low-noise ... Develop RF schematics and provide guidance to PCB layout engineers. * Review RF PCB layouts for ...

Nokia Federal Solutions Inc.

RF Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

Support the development of RF front-end architectures, including power amplifiers, low-noise ... Develop RF schematics and provide guidance to PCB layout engineers. * Review RF PCB layouts for ...

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

$99K - $225K/yr

That knowledge is key when it comes to prototype development for Directed Energy (DE) systems and capabilities. We're looking for an RF Test Engineer who can use their skills to research, analyze ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRf Development Engineer JobsRf Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Rf Development Engineer information

What is an RF development engineer?

RF Development Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and test radio frequency (RF) systems and components used in wireless communication devices and networks. Their work often involves creating circuits, antennas, and modules that operate at high frequencies, ensuring optimal performance and regulatory compliance. They collaborate closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and testing teams to integrate RF solutions into products like smartphones, satellite systems, and radar equipment. RF Development Engineers also troubleshoot signal issues, analyze system performance, and help improve device efficiency and connectivity.

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

To thrive as an RF Development Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, strong understanding of RF circuit design, and a relevant degree such as a B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Familiarity with simulation tools like ADS, HFSS, or CST, as well as experience with network analyzers and spectrum analyzers, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with teams and troubleshoot complex issues. These skills are crucial for developing reliable RF systems that meet performance standards and project requirements.

What are some typical challenges an RF development engineer faces when working on new wireless products?

RF Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as minimizing signal interference, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing circuit layout for performance and manufacturability. Collaborating closely with hardware, firmware, and testing teams is essential to quickly address issues like electromagnetic compatibility or unexpected test results. Staying up-to-date with evolving communication standards and troubleshooting complex integration problems are also common aspects of the role. These challenges make adaptability and strong problem-solving skills valuable assets in this position.

What is the difference between Rf Development Engineer vs Rf Test Engineer?

AspectRf Development EngineerRf Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, RF or CommunicationsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, RF or Communications
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and optimize RF circuits and systemsTest and validate RF products and prototypes
Industry UsageResearch and development, product designQuality assurance, testing labs, manufacturing

While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in RF and communications industries, the Rf Development Engineer focuses on designing and developing RF components, whereas the Rf Test Engineer specializes in testing and validating these components to ensure performance and quality.

Is RF development engineering in demand?

RF development engineering is in high demand due to the growth of wireless communication, 5G technology, and IoT devices. Professionals with skills in RF circuit design, testing, and simulation tools like ADS or HFSS are sought after across telecommunications, aerospace, and consumer electronics industries.

What are popular job titles related to Rf Development Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Rf Development Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rf Development Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Rf Development Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Rf Development Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Rf Development Engineer job openings:

Rf Development Engineer jobs near you

Software Development Engineer in Test

Research Innovations

Alexandria, VA

$53.50 - $69/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Software Development Engineer in Test 

Location: Alexandria, VA

Clearance Requirement:Candidate must have the ability to obtain a clearance

Travel: Less than 25%

Employment type: Full Time

Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is breaking through the big, slow status quo with transformative technology that fundamentally improves the world. We build advanced software solutions for government and military missions, applying agile development and user-centered design to solve complex, mission-critical problems.

Dragonfly is RII's next-generation electromagnetic spectrum operations platform, combining advanced sensor integration, GPU-accelerated signal processing, artificial intelligence, and autonomous spectrum operations to deliver real-time spectrum awareness, passive target detection, electronic warfare support, and mission-focused analytics across man-portable, vehicle-mounted, maritime, and airborne environments.

We are seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ensure the quality, reliability, and operational readiness of Dragonfly's software across its full mission capability set. In this role, you will design and execute test strategies spanning controlled lab environments and live outdoor RF collection scenarios, validating everything from core signal processing pipelines and direction finding accuracy to partner system integrations and the browser-based tactical UI. You will work closely with software engineers, systems integrators, and program teams to define acceptance criteria, build automated test frameworks, and drive defects to resolution. The ideal candidate brings a strong software testing foundation combined with a genuine interest in RF systems, electronic warfare, or defense technologies, and thrives in a hands-on environment where the lab is just as likely to be a parking lot with an antenna as it is a bench in an office.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

Automated Test Development & Validation

  • Design, develop, and maintain automated test frameworks supporting Dragonfly's microservices-based software architecture, browser-based tactical user interface, RF signal processing pipelines, and REST/GraphQL APIs.

  • Develop and maintain comprehensive test plans, test procedures, test cases, and requirements traceability matrices aligned with system-level requirements, customer objectives, and mission use cases.

  • Collaborate with software, hardware, and systems engineering teams to define acceptance criteria, identify defects early in the development lifecycle, and support quality assurance activities within CI/CD pipelines.

  • Maintain automated regression test suites to ensure software stability, performance, and repeatability across product releases.

System Integration & Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing

  • Perform hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing across the complete Dragonfly platform, including processing units, direction-finding antennas, software-defined radios, and associated peripherals.

  • Validate subsystem and end-to-end system integrations, ensuring interoperability between Dragonfly, external partner systems, and command-and-control (C2) platforms.

  • Verify system functionality, data flow integrity, and operational performance across integrated hardware and software environments.

  • Support verification activities for new hardware configurations, software releases, and system enhancements prior to operational deployment.

RF Performance & Mission Capability Verification

  • Execute structured laboratory testing of RF detection, direction finding, geolocation, EMCON monitoring, and spectrum awareness capabilities against documented requirements and performance specifications.

  • Validate GPU-accelerated digital signal processing functions, including multi-channel direction finding, signal correlation, emitter characterization, and machine learning-based antenna calibration algorithms.

  • Verify wide-band survey operations, signal classification, direction finding accuracy, and real-time signal processing performance across representative operational scenarios.

  • Conduct RF performance assessments to ensure mission systems meet accuracy, responsiveness, and operational effectiveness requirements.

Field Testing & Operational Evaluation

  • Plan and execute outdoor field testing activities involving live RF signal collection and operational system employment.

  • Evaluate system performance under realistic environmental conditions, validating signal detection, geolocation accuracy, direction finding performance, and spectrum monitoring capabilities.

  • Document environmental variables, test configurations, and operational conditions to ensure repeatable and defensible test results.

  • Support customer demonstrations, operational assessments, and field validation events as required.

Test Documentation & Continuous Improvement

  • Document test results, anomalies, defect reports, regression outcomes, and corrective actions with clear reproduction steps and supporting technical evidence.

  • Maintain detailed testing records, quality documentation, and verification artifacts supporting system acceptance and product readiness reviews.

  • Analyze test results and performance trends to identify reliability issues, software defects, integration risks, and opportunities for system improvement.

  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by refining test methodologies, expanding automation coverage, and improving overall product quality and mission readiness.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

  • 3+ years of SDET or software QA engineering experience, ideally within defense, RF, or embedded systems domains

  • Developed and maintained automated test suites using Python, Rust, or similar languages against REST or GraphQL APIs

  • Written and executed test plans covering both functional and integration testing for complex, multi-component systems

  • Performed field or outdoor hardware/software validation testing, with comfort operating in varied environments including vehicle-mounted or field-deployed configurations

  • Worked with Linux-based systems (RHEL/Rocky or equivalent) and have familiarity with Docker containerized environments

  • Tested or operated software-defined radio (SDR) systems or spectrum analysis tools

  • Used defect tracking and test management tools (Jira, Gitlab) to manage test coverage and report quality metrics

  • Collaborated within Agile/Scrum development teams alongside engineers, product owners, and program managers

EVEN BETTER
  • Hands-on experience with RF signal collection, spectrum analysis, or electronic warfare / SIGINT systems
  • Familiarity with direction finding concepts, geolocation techniques (LOB, TDOA), or signal characterization workflows
  • Experience testing AI/ML inference pipelines or GPU-accelerated compute (NVIDIA CUDA)
  • Background testing military or government systems against MIL-STD compliance requirements (MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, etc.)
  • Exposure to JICD 4.2, ISA, or similar defense data standards and interoperability testing
  • Experience with performance and stress testing of real-time data processing systems
  • Active DoD security clearance (Secret or above)
  • Prior work with unmanned systems (UAS), vehicle-mounted sensor platforms, or field-deployed tactical equipment
#LI-TC1

At RII, we believe that diversity in our workforce is critical to our success. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We work to help your intellectual passions and creativity thrive. It's one of our core values: Let your geek flag fly.
 
We also offer all employees comprehensive benefits including: flexible work schedules, health insurance coverage, paid time off, 401k with a company match, paid parental leave, access to wellness programs and much more. You get this all from day one, and all paid for by RII.
 
It's all part of another of our core values: Stay human. It's why our comfortable and colorful offices such as our headquarters, include a community game room, pantry, massage chair, and an escape room, among other amenities. It's why we have community ambassadors and regular community events.
 
Research Innovations Incorporated 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, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job

Apply