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Senior Rf Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Senior RF Systems Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$175K - $249K/yr

Vast is looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer , reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial ...

Redolent, Inc.

US_West | Data Engineer_L3

Anaheim, CA · On-site

Job Tittle- Senior RF Engineer Job Location: Menlo Park, CA Type: Contract Duration: 1 + year No of open positions: 1 REQUIRED EXPERIENCE • Configuration and testing of wireless systems (4G LTE, 5G ...

Mercury Systems

Principal RF Engineer

Cypress, CA

Experience with acting as a senior design engineer and technical architect for complex RF/Microwave product development. * Experience with RF theory and proficiency with RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR ...

mercury

Principal RF Engineer

Cypress, CA

Experience with acting as a senior design engineer and technical architect for complex RF/Microwave product development. * Experience with RF theory and proficiency with RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR ...

Mach Industries

RF Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

You'll regularly interact with senior leadership to influence fundamental operation of our ... Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline. * Minimum of 5 years of experience in RF design and ...

Vast

RF Antenna Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$147K - $209K/yr

Senior RF Antenna Engineer: $147,600-$209,520 Pay Range: California $120,540-$209,520 USD COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills ...

Mercury Systems

Principal RF Engineer

Cypress, CA · On-site

Experience with acting as a senior design engineer and technical architect for complex RF/Microwave product development. * Experience with RF theory and proficiency with RF simulation tools (ADS, AWR ...

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All JobsSenior Rf Engineer JobsSenior Rf Engineer Jobs in Irvine, CA

Senior Rf Engineer information

See Irvine, CA salary details

$63.9K

$135.8K

$197K

How much do senior rf engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior rf engineer in Irvine, CA is $135,845.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,200.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest salary for an RF engineer?

The highest salaries for senior RF engineers can exceed $150,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, specialized skills in RF design and testing, and certifications. Compensation varies based on industry, location, and company size, with top earners often working in telecommunications, aerospace, or defense sectors.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Senior RF engineers, a specialized role within electrical engineering, can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-paying industries like telecommunications or defense. However, such salaries are typically achieved through senior positions, bonuses, and stock options, and are not common for entry-level roles. Overall, reaching this level requires significant expertise and often involves leadership responsibilities or working in lucrative markets.

What are Senior RF Engineers?

Senior RF Engineers are experienced professionals who design, implement, and optimize radio frequency (RF) systems used in telecommunications, broadcasting, and other wireless communications. They are responsible for ensuring the performance and reliability of RF networks by conducting tests, troubleshooting issues, and developing solutions to improve signal quality. Senior RF Engineers often lead project teams, mentor junior engineers, and work closely with other departments to deliver effective wireless communication solutions.

What are some common technical challenges faced by Senior RF Engineers, and how are they typically addressed within engineering teams?

Senior RF Engineers often encounter challenges related to signal interference, system integration, and maintaining optimal performance under real-world conditions. These issues are typically addressed through collaborative troubleshooting with cross-functional teams, such as hardware, software, and test engineers. Utilizing advanced simulation tools, performing thorough field testing, and conducting design reviews are standard practices to ensure solutions are effective and reliable. Regular knowledge sharing within the team helps in quickly resolving complex RF problems and staying updated with evolving technologies.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior RF engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in radio frequency design, and certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries like telecommunications and defense. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, and typically requires advanced knowledge of RF systems, tools, and industry standards.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior RF engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries like telecommunications or aerospace, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Achieving this level often requires advanced certifications, expertise in signal processing, and working in senior or managerial roles with significant responsibilities.

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

AspectSenior RF EngineerRF Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like FCC or RF-specific coursesBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or related field, some certifications beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and troubleshooting RF systems in labs or fieldAssist in RF system development, testing, and maintenance
ResponsibilitiesLead projects, optimize RF performance, mentor junior staffSupport RF design, perform measurements, and document results

The main difference lies in experience and responsibility level. Senior RF Engineers typically lead projects and mentor others, while RF Engineers focus on supporting design and testing tasks. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications, but the senior position involves more leadership and strategic planning.

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

To thrive as a Senior RF Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of radio frequency theory, wireless communication systems, and a relevant engineering degree, often complemented by several years of industry experience. Familiarity with RF simulation tools (such as CST, HFSS, or ADS), network analyzers, and certifications like Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP) are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help in troubleshooting and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are vital for designing reliable RF solutions, optimizing performance, and ensuring seamless integration in complex wireless environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA? The most popular types of Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA? For Senior Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Rf Engineer jobs in Irvine, CA are:
What cities near Irvine, CA are hiring for Senior Rf Engineer jobs? Cities near Irvine, CA with the most Senior Rf Engineer job openings:
Senior Rf Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Rf Engineer job openings in Irvine, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,845 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Senior RF Systems Engineer

Vast

Long Beach, CA • On-site

$175K - $249K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.
Vast is looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer, reporting to the Director, RF Engineering, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location.
Responsibilities:
  • Support system level design and modeling of spacecraft communications systems including space to Earth, space to space, and crew audio & multimedia links.
  • Generate requirements, concepts of operations, block diagrams, and high level analysis for artificial gravity space stations.
  • Work closely with integration and operations teams to define checkout procedures, LEOP, orbital phase, docking, crewed operations, etc.
  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary engineering team to form tightly integrated avionics, structures, thermal control, and software systems.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • 4+ years of experience in an RF engineering role.
  • Experience with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers, VNAs, Power Meters, Cable Analyzers, etc.
  • Experience in software development: Matlab, Python, C/C++, or other programming languages.
  • Familiarity with RF communication system design & analysis.

Preferred Skills & Experience:
  • MS or PhD in ECE, EE, Physics, or related stem discipline
  • Experience with RF analysis software: HFSS, STK, ADS
  • Knowledge of in space effects including ionizing radiation, atomic oxygen, plasma charging, MMOD, outgassing, etc
  • Prior work in spacecraft system design and/or operation
  • Understanding of RF modulation and media access control schemes such as BPSK, SOQPSK, GMSK, APSK, TDMA, FDMA, etc
  • Understanding of communication system coding and error correction schemes such as Reed Solomon, LDPC, BCH, etc
  • Familiar with common space communications interoperability standards such as CCSDS and DVB-S2
  • Experience with Ethernet and IP networking, VPNs, TCP, UDP, L2/L3 switches, VLANs, etc
  • Experience with serial communication protocols such as CAN, SPI, and I2C, RS-422/485

Pay Range:
Senior RF System Engineer: $147,600-$209,520
Staff RF System Engineer: $175,480-$249,096
Pay Range: California
$147,600-$249,096 USD
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.
U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS
The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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