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Senior Principal Rf Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA

Lynk

Principal RF/Electrical Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$142K - $174K/yr

As a Principal RF/Electrical Engineer at Lynk, you will be responsible for wearing many hats in the world of radio frequencies, electronics, hardware, and software. You will be responsible for the ...

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 domains of the modern battlefield: the electromagnetic spectrum. You will design, develop, and deploy ...

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 domains of the modern battlefield: the electromagnetic spectrum. You will design, develop, and deploy ...

Spire

Software Engineer - RFGL Systems

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$195K - $232K/yr

... with our Principal RF Engineer and research team). Instead, you will own the operational side ... Collaborate closely with the senior software engineer, RF domain experts, and cross-functional ...

SAIC

Principal RF Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the ...

kgs

Cellular / RF Engineer (TS)

Washington, DC

Senior vendor design certification * Formal RF design credentials such as iBwave (if applicable ... Engineering governance or program-level credentials Preferred Experience: * Hands-on experience ...

SAIC

Principal RF Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the ...

Saic

Principal RF Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160 - $200/hr

Position Summary The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development ...

SAIC

Principal RF Payload Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Description The RF Payload Engineer will support advanced space systems with a focus on RF payload development, integration, and production testing. This role contributes to the development ...

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All JobsPrincipal Rf Engineer JobsSenior Principal Rf Engineer JobsSenior Principal Rf Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA

Senior Principal Rf Engineer information

See Ashburn, VA salary details

$83.9K

$158.9K

$219.3K

How much do senior principal rf engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal rf engineer in Ashburn, VA is $158,943.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,300.00 and $176,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior principal RF engineer?

Senior Principal RF Engineers are highly experienced professionals who lead the design, development, and optimization of radio frequency (RF) systems and components. They play a critical role in projects involving wireless communications, radar, satellite, and other RF applications by providing technical guidance, setting design standards, and solving complex engineering challenges. These engineers typically oversee teams, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with other departments to ensure successful project delivery. Their expertise helps organizations achieve high performance and reliability in RF systems.

How does a senior principal RF engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the development of new wireless products?

A Senior Principal RF Engineer frequently works alongside hardware designers, software engineers, and product managers to ensure that wireless products meet performance specifications and regulatory requirements. Collaboration often involves participating in design reviews, troubleshooting complex RF issues, and guiding teams through the integration of RF subsystems. Effective communication and leadership skills are essential, as the role often requires translating technical RF concepts for non-specialist stakeholders and mentoring junior engineers. This team-oriented environment helps drive innovation and ensures that the end product is robust and reliable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior principal RF engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Principal RF Engineer, you need deep expertise in RF circuit design, electromagnetic theory, wireless communications, and typically an advanced degree in electrical engineering. Proficiency with RF simulation tools like ADS or HFSS, network analyzers, and industry certifications such as IEEE or FCC compliance are commonly required. Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help in guiding teams and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders. These skills ensure the reliable design and implementation of complex RF systems essential for cutting-edge telecommunications and electronics projects.

What is the difference between Senior Principal Rf Engineer vs RF Systems Engineer?

AspectSenior Principal Rf EngineerRF Systems Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (BSc, MSc, PhD) in Electrical Engineering or related fields, with extensive RF certificationsUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, with some RF certifications
Work EnvironmentFocuses on high-level RF design, system architecture, and leadership in R&D teamsInvolves RF system integration, testing, and troubleshooting within product development teams
Industry UsageCommonly found in telecommunications, aerospace, and defense industriesUsed across wireless communications, consumer electronics, and network infrastructure sectors

The Senior Principal Rf Engineer typically holds more advanced credentials and leads complex RF projects, focusing on system-level design and strategic development. In contrast, RF Systems Engineers often work on implementing and testing RF systems within project teams. Both roles are essential in RF engineering but differ mainly in seniority, scope, and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Rf Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA?

The most popular types of Principal Rf Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

What cities near Ashburn, VA are hiring for Senior Principal Rf Engineer jobs?

Cities near Ashburn, VA with the most Senior Principal Rf Engineer job openings:

Senior Principal Rf Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Rf Engineer job openings in Ashburn, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,943 per year, or $76.4 per hour.

Senior Principal Cyber RF Engineer

Nightwing

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Nightwing is a company that provides technically advanced full-spectrum cyber, data operations, systems integration and intelligence mission support services. They are seeking a Senior Principal Cyber RF Engineer to solve real-time cyber challenges and work on-site with end users, integrating reverse engineering results into development products.
Responsibilities:
• Solve real-time cyber challenges, working on site with our end users in their spaces.
• Join a team of developers building high impact native applications for mobile devices, with continuous and meaningful feedback from users.
• Integrate reverse engineering results into development products and expand knowledge of the mobile platform to meet development objectives and customer requirements.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Current TS/SCI clearance is required
• Experience with RF front-end development and customization
• Experience with Software Defined Radios to include custom baseband processing up through protocol stack implementation and customization
• At least 8 years of experience with C/C++ on Unix/Linux platforms using Make/CMake build systems
• At least 8 years of experience with common software defined radio platforms (GNU Radio, etc)
• Experience developing against or working with large open-source projects
• Requires a degree in a technical discipline
Preferred:
• Team or task leadership experience
• Experience developing for Android or another mobile platform
• Understanding of CNE techniques and methodologies on Android and Linux
• Experience with the ARM64/ARM32 Architecture or other similar platform
• Familiarity with Atlassian products (Bitbucket, Bamboo, JIRA, etc.)
• Familiarity with version control software such as git
• Reverse engineering ARM binaries
• Developing proof-of-concept exploit software
Company:
Nightwing provides cyber, data operations, systems integration, and intelligence services for government and commercial customers. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Sterling, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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