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Volunteer Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

System One

Sr. Cellular / RF Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

In Building Coverage Design -- Designs solutions to improve indoor cellular and RF performance ... voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan. System One is an Equal Opportunity ...

Lockheed Martin

RF Engineer

Hanover, MD

The RF Design Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of our RF systems, from design to deployment, and will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure systems meet ...

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All JobsVolunteer Rf Design Engineer JobsVolunteer Rf Design Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Volunteer Rf Design Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$41.9K

$133.3K

$207.3K

How much do volunteer rf design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer rf design engineer in Washington, DC is $133,284.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,400.00 and $157,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Volunteer RF Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, RF circuit design, and a good understanding of electromagnetic theory, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Experience with RF simulation tools like HFSS, CST, or ADS, along with familiarity with PCB design software and basic test equipment, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing reliable RF systems and collaborating efficiently on projects, even in volunteer or resource-limited environments.

What is the difference between Volunteer Rf Design Engineer vs RF Design Engineer?

AspectVolunteer Rf Design EngineerRF Design Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires relevant engineering education, certifications are optionalRequires a degree in electrical engineering or related field, professional certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentNon-profit or community projects, often remote or part-timeCorporate or industrial settings, full-time roles in labs or offices
Industry UsageUsed in volunteer projects, research, or community initiativesCommon in telecommunications, aerospace, and electronics industries

Volunteer Rf Design Engineers focus on supporting projects through volunteer efforts, often with flexible hours and limited resources. RF Design Engineers work in professional settings with structured roles, higher responsibilities, and industry-standard tools. Both roles require similar technical knowledge, but differ mainly in scope, environment, and commitment.

What are some common challenges faced by Volunteer RF Design Engineers when working on community projects?

Volunteer RF Design Engineers often face challenges such as limited access to advanced simulation tools, budget constraints for purchasing high-quality components, and the need to balance project timelines with other professional or personal commitments. Collaboration is typically done with multidisciplinary teams, which may include non-engineers, requiring clear communication of technical concepts. Despite these hurdles, the role offers valuable experience in problem-solving and teamwork, and can significantly enhance your portfolio for future paid opportunities.

What does a Volunteer RF Design Engineer do?

A Volunteer RF (Radio Frequency) Design Engineer contributes their expertise to design, test, and optimize radio frequency circuits and systems, often for nonprofit or community projects. Their tasks may include working on antenna design, RF propagation studies, and ensuring regulatory compliance of wireless devices. As volunteers, they typically assist organizations with limited resources, offering technical guidance and supporting the development of communication solutions for projects like emergency services, educational programs, or remote area connectivity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Volunteer Rf Design Engineer jobs near you
RF Design Engineer

RF Design Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design, test, demonstrate, and deliver RF antennas and sensors as well as associated RF circuits for systems operating throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.

  • Develop and refine RF simulations to study RF propagation and performance.

  • Define and execute hardware tests to assess component and system performance.

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 58 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you passionate about providing real, immediate impact to the country's toughest national security problems?
Do you love designing, building, and testing prototype radio frequency (RF) waveforms and systems?
Do you enjoy combining state-of-the-art antennas with cutting edge RF technology and digital signal processing to solve challenging communications problems?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking an RF Design Engineer to help us research, design, and deliver groundbreaking RF capabilities to our sponsors. You would be joining our team, which provides creative solutions and systems for Special Operations missions in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC).
As a member of our team, you will be responsible for designing, testing, demonstrating, and delivering RF antennas and sensors as well as associated RF circuits, for systems that function throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Specific applications span several mission and research areas in the DoD and IC.
As an RF Design Engineer, you will...
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest antenna, RF electronics, and signal processing innovations.
  • Participate in and lead component- and system-level hardware design teams from 3 to 30 engineers.
  • Develop hardware specifications and system requirements from high-level operational need statements.
  • Design and develop innovative hardware solutions such as antennas, electromagnetic sensors, RF circuits, and RF systems.
  • Develop and refine RF simulations to study RF propagation and performance.
  • Define and execute hardware tests to assess component and system performance.
  • Conduct HW/SW trade-off analyses, develop system block diagrams, perform Analysis-of-Alternatives studies, and guide vendor selection for critical sub-systems.
  • Document and present work to sponsors, technical teams, and APL management.
  • Continually grow your skills in engineering, communication, and leadership.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or another field relevant to the duties as described above.
  • 5+ years of experience developing RF or electromagnetic hardware.
  • Experience with RF lab test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, etc.
  • Experience with RF concepts such as network parameters, impedance, and distributed RF circuits.
  • Familiarity with full-wave electromagnetic and RF circuit solvers.
  • Experience developing digital signal processing solutions.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work independently or as part of a multi-discipline team.
  • The ability to work on-site at APL's main campus as well as at commercial and government test sites.
  • Are able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Master's or Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with a focus in RF or electromagnetic sensors or systems.
  • 8+ years of experience with antenna design and testing
  • Strong understanding of network parameters and how to use them to solve wide-ranging RF and electromagnetic problems.
  • Experience with electromagnetic concepts and derivations for radiating elements and fields.
  • Experience with mathematical methods of full-wave electromagnetic solvers.
  • Lead teams of 3+ engineers with all levels of seniority.
  • Deep understanding of statistical digital signal processing and signal estimation theory.
  • Hold a TS/SCI security clearance.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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