1

Senior Principal Rf Engineer Jobs in Billerica, MA

The Engineering team is looking for a Principal RF Engineer who will provide hands-on technical leadership to a team developing advanced RF Systems for exciting defense applications. You will have ...

The Engineering team is looking for a Principal RF Engineer who will provide hands-on technical leadership to a team developing advanced RF Systems for exciting defense applications. You will have ...

Principal RF Design Engineer At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex ...

New

Principal RF Design Engineer At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex ...

New

The Engineering team is looking for a Principal RF Engineer who will provide hands-on technical leadership to a team developing advanced RF Systems for exciting defense applications. You will have ...

A Principal RF and Communications Engineer is responsible for the design and, development of radio frequency (RF) and communications systems. This engineer is expected to demonstrate a strong ...

A Principal RF and Communications Engineer is responsible for the design and, development of radio frequency (RF) and communications systems. This engineer is expected to demonstrate a strong ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Principal Rf Engineer information

See Billerica, MA salary details

$87.1K

$165.1K

$227.8K

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

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal rf engineer in Billerica, MA is $165,061.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,300.00 and $183,700.00 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.

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Rf Engineer job openings in Billerica, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $165,061 per year, or $79.4 per hour.

Principal RF Engineer I

Cambridge, MA โ€ข On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Other

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

AtCesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individual to join our team as a Principal RF Engineer I. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in board-level and system-level RF electronics design.

In this position, you will be responsible for RF circuits, modules, and systems through all phases of the development process. The ideal candidate will be proficient in board-level schematic design and PCB layout of RF circuits, system-level communications concepts such as link budgets and modulation schemes, and end-to-end RF product development. The work will include many aspects of phased array communication systems, including RF front ends, frequency converters and synthesizers, filters, beamformers, power dividers, and phased array antennas.

As a principal hardware team member, you will be responsible for RF system and hardware designs from initial concept through requirements definition, architecture definition, part selection, detailed design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, qualification, and in-orbit support of Cesium's products. Hardware design tasks will include block diagrams, detailed schematics, PCB layout and routing, simulations, and test design. Principal Engineers also serve as technical and professional mentors in their field and may be given the opportunity to lead company programs.

The successful candidate will also present engineering design review materials to our customers and executive team, as well as participate in proposal-writing efforts. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.


Successful candidates will require:
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)) degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) from an accredited university or institution. Master of Science (MS) desired.
  • Minimum of 9 years of industry experience in design and analysis of RF electronics and systems.
  • Expert-level proficiency in professional simulation tools such as CST and ADS, as well as EDA tools such Altium.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with lab instruments such as vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred experience includes:
  • Python or other programming languages.
  • Aerospace electronics design, development, and qualification.
  • Worst-case circuit analysis, failure method and criticality analyses, and reliability analysis.
  • Antenna design
  • EMI/EMC design and mitigation techniques.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidateโ€™s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Please be aware that many roles will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including new starterโ€™s nationality, any previous or dual nationalities held, place of birth and country of residence may limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

#J-18808-Ljbffr