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Rf Planning Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Specter

RF Systems Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The Role Specter is hiring an RF Systems Engineer to define and optimize the end-to-end wireless ... Develop automated RF planning and deployment modeling tools, enabling topology optimization ...

Ceragon

Solutions Engineer

Richardson, TX · On-site +1

Perform RF engineering, link budgets, frequency planning, and path analysis. * Conduct site surveys, commissioning, optimization, and troubleshooting. * Support SCADA communications using DNP3 ...

Lynk

RF/Electrical Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

Job Summary As an RF/Electrical Engineer at Lynk, you will be responsible for wearing many hats in ... Designing and planning payload testing configurations on the ground when testing payload ...

Barbaricum

Radio Frequency Engineer II

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

Barbaricum is seeking a Cellular / Radio Frequency Engineer II to support the design, integration ... and RF planning tools. • Experience with tactical communications or mission-critical wireless ...

Battelle

RF Test Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

Responsibilities Test Planning & Execution * Define, document, and execute automated and manual ... closely with RF systems engineers and architects. * Contribute to modeling, simulation, and ...

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Rf Planning Engineer information

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$37K

$117.7K

$183K

How much do rf planning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for rf planning engineer in the United States is $117,680.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,500.00 and $139,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an RF Planning Engineer, you need a solid background in telecommunications, radio frequency theory, and network design, typically supported by an engineering degree in electronics or telecommunications. Familiarity with RF planning tools (such as Atoll or Planet), propagation modeling software, and understanding of 2G/3G/4G/5G technologies are essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills for this position. These skills are crucial for optimizing network coverage, capacity, and quality, ensuring reliable wireless communication services.

What are RF Planning Engineers?

RF Planning Engineers are professionals who design and optimize the radio frequency (RF) networks used in wireless communication systems, such as mobile phone networks. They are responsible for tasks such as frequency allocation, cell site placement, coverage prediction, and interference management to ensure efficient and reliable network performance. Their work involves simulation, analysis, and field testing to create optimal network designs that meet coverage and capacity requirements. RF Planning Engineers play a critical role in expanding and maintaining wireless infrastructure to provide seamless connectivity for users.

What is the difference between Rf Planning Engineer vs Rf Optimization Engineer?

AspectRf Planning EngineerRf Optimization Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and planning network coverage and capacityImproving network performance and efficiency
Required SkillsRadio network planning, coverage analysis, site selectionNetwork performance analysis, parameter tuning, troubleshooting
CertificationsRF planning, LTE/5G certifications often preferredRF optimization, LTE/5G certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentField site planning, network design teamsNetwork performance monitoring, optimization teams

While both roles involve RF technology, the Rf Planning Engineer focuses on designing and planning the network infrastructure, whereas the Rf Optimization Engineer concentrates on enhancing network performance after deployment. Both roles require similar certifications and work within the telecom industry, but their core responsibilities differ in the network lifecycle.

What are some common challenges faced by RF Planning Engineers when designing wireless networks, and how are they typically addressed?

RF Planning Engineers often encounter challenges such as interference management, coverage gaps, and capacity constraints while designing wireless networks. To address these, they use advanced simulation tools to model signal propagation, conduct site surveys to validate predictions, and collaborate with field engineers to optimize antenna placement. Regular coordination with network operations teams helps ensure that the planned network meets both technical specifications and user demands. Staying updated with the latest industry standards and technologies is also crucial for overcoming these challenges effectively.
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Rf Planning Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rf Planning Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,680 per year, or $56.6 per hour.
RF Systems Engineer

RF Systems Engineer

Specter

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Company BackgroundSpecter's mission is to help automate the physical world.
Today, we build video sensors with state-of-the-art AI agents that answer any question, anywhere in their environments. Our systems can automatically detect and reason about any physical activity captured on camera, from security incidents (e.g. perimeter intrusion, theft, LPR), to safety monitoring (e.g. PPE detection, injured people), to operational efficiency (e.g. material tracking, congestion monitoring). We offer both long range wireless (1km range) and wired sensor variants to suit any deployment.
Our co-founders Xerxes and Philip are passionate about empowering our partners in the fast approaching world of physical AI and robotics. We are a small, fast growing team who hail from Anduril, Tesla, Uber, and the U.S. Special Forces.
The RoleSpecter is hiring an RF Systems Engineer to define and optimize the end-to-end wireless systems connecting thousands of edge devices across large, distributed environments. This role sits at the intersection of RF systems engineering, network architecture, modeling, and fleet-scale deployment.
You will own system-level models, simulations, and architectural decisions that shape how Specter's sensors communicate-balancing long-range performance, power efficiency, resiliency, and cost. You'll partner closely with RF, firmware, and software teams to design, validate, and deploy a robust multi-radio architecture across real-world industrial sites.
This role is deeply cross-functional and highly impactful: your work directly defines the wireless "fabric" that Specter's perception platform operates on.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead RF and wireless system architecture: modeling, trade studies, and performance validation across Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah), 802.11, LTE, 5G NR, and long-range sub-GHz systems
  • Root-cause and optimize performance across PHY, MAC, and network layers
  • Test interoperability with third-party devices and ensure standards compliance across multiple wireless subsystems
  • Develop automated RF planning and deployment modeling tools, enabling topology optimization, coverage prediction, and pre-deployment performance estimation
  • Collaborate with firmware and software teams to expose critical RF and network health metrics into the telemetry pipeline
  • Define multi-radio system architectures for long-range backhaul and high-throughput paths across heterogeneous radios
  • Build simulation, modeling, and test infrastructure (MATLAB, Simulink, NS-3, automated bench workflows)
  • Drive field validation and OTA testing across industrial, logistics, and large-area deployments
  • Work cross-functionally with hardware, firmware, and software teams to ensure reliable RF performance in complex environments
  • Optimize end-to-end system behavior across routing, addressing, QoS, NAT, DHCP, VLANs, and multi-radio backhaul paths

Qualifications:
  • Strong background in RF system modeling, link-level simulation, and channel modeling
  • Deep expertise in 802.11 PHY/MAC-especially 802.11ah (HaLow)-or similar low-power, long-range RF technologies
  • Experience with RF field surveys, propagation analysis, and deployment validation
  • Strong experience configuring and debugging RF devices on Linux-based platforms
  • Hands-on experience with RF/system modeling tools (MATLAB, Simulink, NS-3) and lab instrumentation (VNA, spectrum analyzer, OTA chambers)
  • Experience supporting DVT, FCC/CE certification, production RF tuning, and large-scale operational deployments

Apply