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Rf Engineer Contract Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Works as part of an integrated product team under the direction of a lead RF Engineer and Program ... S. required in support of US Government contracts/subcontracts US Physical Demands: * Ability to ...

Lead RF Engineer, Reflector Antenna Logos Space is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system purpose ... Business customers have contracts with agreed-upon performance standards for their broadband, and ...

RF Design Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a RF Design Engineer who will report to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

RF Test Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a RF Test Engineer who will report to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

RF Test Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a RF Test Engineer who will report to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

RF Design Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a RF Design Engineer who will report to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

Senior RF Design Engineer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer reporting to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

Senior RF Design Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

THE OPPORTUNITY Silvus is seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer reporting to the Director of RF ... S. federal contracts. * All employment is contingent upon the successful clearance of a background ...

RF Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Rowe Price - and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government ... You will be working alongside the Electrical and RF Engineering teams to interface with Avionics ...

RF Test Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Rowe Price -- and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government ... You will be working alongside the Electrical and RF Engineering teams to interface with Avionics ...

Senior RF Validation Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

Partner with contract manufacturers and operations teams to improve test coverage, cycle time ... Work closely with RF design, electrical engineering, firmware, validation, NPI, operations, and ...

Partner with contract manufacturers and operations teams to improve test coverage, cycle time ... Work closely with RF design, electrical engineering, firmware, validation, NPI, operations, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Rf Engineer Contract information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$116.1K

$180.6K

How much do rf engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for rf engineer contract in California is $116,139.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,200.00 and $137,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an RF engineer contract?

An RF Engineer contract position involves working on projects related to radio frequency (RF) technology, usually for a specified period or project duration, rather than as a permanent employee. Contract RF Engineers design, analyze, and optimize systems such as wireless communications, antennas, and RF circuits. They may be hired by telecommunications companies, defense contractors, or engineering firms to address specific technical needs or workloads. This role often requires specialized knowledge of RF principles, testing equipment, and relevant industry standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an RF engineer contractor?

To thrive as an RF Engineer Contractor, you need a solid background in radio frequency theory, wireless communications, and relevant engineering degrees such as electrical or telecommunications engineering. Familiarity with RF design tools (like Ansys HFSS, CST, or Keysight ADS), spectrum analyzers, and relevant certifications (e.g., FCC or Cisco wireless certifications) are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel in cross-functional teams and dynamic project environments. These skills are vital to ensure reliable network performance, minimize signal interference, and deliver quality solutions to clients on time.

What are the most common challenges RF engineers face when working on contract assignments, and how can they be managed?

Contract RF Engineers often encounter challenges such as rapidly adapting to new team dynamics, quickly understanding project requirements, and integrating with unfamiliar tools or systems. Since contracts are typically project-based and time-limited, there can be pressure to deliver results quickly while maintaining high technical standards. Effective communication, proactive learning, and leveraging prior experience in similar environments can help contract RF Engineers overcome these challenges and make a positive impact from day one.

What is the difference between Rf Engineer Contract vs Rf Engineer Full-Time?

AspectRf Engineer ContractRf Engineer Full-Time
Employment TypeTemporary or project-basedPermanent
Work EnvironmentContract roles often in multiple companies or projectsIn-house or dedicated team
Certifications & CredentialsTypically the same; requires RF engineering skills and certificationsSame as contract roles
Job StabilityLess stable, duration depends on projectMore stable, ongoing employment

In summary, Rf Engineer Contract roles are temporary, project-based positions offering flexibility, while Rf Engineer Full-Time roles provide long-term stability within a company. Both require similar skills and certifications, but differ mainly in employment duration and work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Rf Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Rf Engineer Contract jobs in California?

For Rf Engineer Contract jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rf Engineer Contract jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Rf Engineer Contract jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Rf Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities in California with the most Rf Engineer Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Rf Engineer Contract job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,139 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Senior RF Engineer (Hardware)

Neros Technologies

Torrance, CA โ€ข On-site

$162K - $227K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America's drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We're hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

As a Senior RF Engineer, you will take technical ownership of critical wireless subsystems and drive their development from concept to mass production. In this leadership role, you will be the expert for the entire RF chain, making key architectural and component selection decisions and ensuring our products meet performance standards. You will mentor junior engineers and collaborate across disciplines to deliver robust, high-performance wireless solutions on time.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the end-to-end design, simulation, and layout of RF systems, from the antenna through the radio interface
  • Define and own all verification, validation, and production acceptance test procedures
  • Perform detailed system analysis, including link budgets and cascade analysis, to guarantee performance
  • Spearhead complex root cause analysis for issues like RF interference, desensitization, and connectivity problems
  • Propose, model, and validate RF architectural decisions and select critical components
  • Manage project timelines and delegate tasks to junior engineers to ensure on-time delivery
  • Serve as the primary RF point of contact for cross-functional teams, including mechanical, firmware, and software

You should have the following

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) required; Master of Science (MSEE) is highly preferred
  • 5+ years of professional experience in RF hardware design for commercial or industrial products
  • Proven expertise in using RF simulation software (e.g., ADS, HFSS) for PCB, antenna, and fixture design
  • In-depth knowledge of RF system architecture, radio standards, and component selection trade-offs
  • Demonstrated experience leading projects and mentoring other engineers
  • Strong understanding of design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for test (DFT)

Nice to have

  • Advanced Degree: PhD with a focus on RF/Microwaves or Electromagnetics
  • Antenna Design: Direct experience designing and simulating custom antennas for embedded systems
  • Manufacturing Experience: Proven experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT), and working directly with contract manufacturers (CMs) to ramp production
  • System Integration: Experience in debugging complex system-level issues, such as RF desensitization, coexistence, and EMI/EMC mitigation
  • Automated Testing: Proficiency in developing automated RF test frameworks using Python, or similar tools

US Salary Range
$162,500 - $227,500 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.

We're an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.