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Spectrum Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Spectrum Management information

See California salary details

$25.7K

$53.4K

$87.8K

How much do spectrum management jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for spectrum management in California is $53,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $63,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Spectrum Management vs Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer?

AspectSpectrum ManagementRadio Frequency (RF) Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, or related field; certifications like Certified Spectrum Manager (CSM)Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, or related; certifications like RF Engineering Certification
Work EnvironmentRegulatory agencies, telecom companies, government bodiesDesign, test, and optimize RF systems in labs or field sites
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in telecom, government, and regulatory sectorsTelecom, defense, aerospace, and electronics industries

While both roles involve telecommunications, Spectrum Management focuses on allocating and regulating spectrum resources, ensuring compliance with policies. RF Engineers design and optimize radio frequency systems. Both require technical knowledge, but Spectrum Managers handle policy and spectrum allocation, whereas RF Engineers focus on technical system performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Spectrum Management, and why are they important?

To excel in Spectrum Management, you need expertise in radio frequency (RF) engineering, knowledge of telecommunications regulations, and often a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with spectrum analysis tools, licensing databases, and regulatory systems such as the FCC Universal Licensing System is common. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure efficient allocation of spectrum, compliance with regulations, and effective coordination among stakeholders in the increasingly complex wireless environment.

What are the typical challenges faced by professionals working in Spectrum Management?

Professionals in Spectrum Management often encounter challenges such as balancing the competing needs of various stakeholders, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and staying updated with rapidly evolving wireless technologies. Coordinating spectrum allocation to avoid interference between users and handling the technical and legal complexities of frequency licensing are also common. Teamwork is crucial, as spectrum managers frequently collaborate with engineers, regulatory bodies, and industry partners to develop effective policies and resolve disputes.

What is spectrum management?

Spectrum management is the process of regulating and coordinating the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes radio frequencies used for wireless communication, broadcasting, and other services. Professionals in spectrum management ensure that frequencies are allocated efficiently and fairly to avoid interference between different users and technologies. This work often involves licensing, policy development, technical analysis, and international coordination. Effective spectrum management is critical for supporting everything from mobile networks to emergency communications and satellite systems.
What are popular job titles related to Spectrum Management jobs in California? For Spectrum Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Spectrum Management jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Spectrum Management jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Spectrum Management job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,391 per year, or $25.7 per hour.
Senior RF Spectrum Engineer

Senior RF Spectrum Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

El Segundo, CA โ€ข Hybrid

$129K - $249K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you'll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country's space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The Communication Architectures Department (CAD) performs trade studies, analyses, and simulations to optimize the overall communications performance of terrestrial, satellite, launch vehicle, and ground-based systems. CAD also provides radio frequency (RF) spectrum engineering to future military, civil, and commercial systems and guides the development of spectrum regulations and policies to assure critical wireless systems have access to necessary spectrum resources.

We are seeking a Senior RF Spectrum Engineer (Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist - Communications Systems Engineering) to support multiple facets of spectrum management and engineering such as performing interference analysis to support individual programs' spectrum certification requirements and facilitating coordination between multiple stakeholders. We work with customers throughout the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community, and civil agencies.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Perform radio frequency interference analysis and modeling of communications systems to evaluate spectrum sharing strategies and avoid harmful interference

  • Use knowledge of RF communications and spectrum regulations to guide program design decisions and ensure regulatory compliance

  • Support programs through spectrum registration and coordination processes

  • Coordinate with program offices, federal spectrum agencies, and other stakeholders

  • Mentor junior employees in spectrum management and engineering

What You Need to be Successful - Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Electrical Engineering or related STEM discipline

  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant technical experience

  • Knowledge of International Telecommunications Union (ITU), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) or Federal Communications Commission (FCC) spectrum management processes

  • Knowledge of RF communications systems and architectures

  • Project development experience and ability to lead small teams of engineers

  • Ability to present results effectively in briefings and technical reports

  • Some travel, approximately less than 10%, is anticipated

  • This position requires ability to obtain and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist:

  • Minimum of 12 years of relevant technical experience

  • Proven project development and technical leadership experience

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Master's or PhD in engineering or related discipline

  • Knowledge of various government programs and commercial satellite systems

  • Proficiency in Python or Matlab

  • Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools such as STK and Visualyse

  • Prior experience with spectrum coordination and policy

  • Active Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other-the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.