Radar Systems Engineer - RF Integration and Test Engineer

TL;DR

Radar Systems Engineer - RF Integration and Test Engineer: Own RF-centric integration, debug, characterization, and validation for radar hardware, subsystems, and test environments with an accent on transmit/receive chains, antennas, phased arrays, and RF test setups. Focus on diagnosing failures across RF chains, defining repeatable test procedures, and executing phased array testing in anechoic chambers.

Location: Work 5 days per week out of our office in Hawthorne, California (Los Angeles).

Salary: $110,000 - $220,000

Company

Redefining modern defense with Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) powered products for warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection. Founded in 2022, raised $1B funding, 250 employees across global offices.

What you will do

• Lead RF debug, characterization, and acceptance testing for radar hardware including transmit/receive chains, antennas, LNAs, HPAs, SDRs, and frequency converters.
• Diagnose RF failures using measurements like S-parameters, VSWR, noise figure, phase noise, IP3, gain, and reconcile to system performance such as detection range and sensitivity.
• Select and use RF instruments (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators) to isolate issues like insertion loss drift, phase instability, and LO leakage.
• Define, configure, and calibrate RF test setups for repeatability under system operating conditions.
• Partner with systems, hardware, software, and firmware teams to root-cause cross-domain failures.
• Plan and execute phased array testing in anechoic chamber: EIRP, beam patterns, sidelobe levels, beam steering, and array calibration.
• Improve RF test racks and setups with automated data collection and reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent + 5+ years in RF test/integration, radar/wireless/aerospace systems.
• Strong hands-on RF test equipment experience for debugging and characterizing components/subsystems.
• Deep RF fundamentals: S-parameters, impedance matching, noise figure, linearity, phase stability.
• Design/execute RF test plans and interpret ambiguous results linking to system performance.
• Strong documentation and communication to explain RF issues cross-functionally.
• High attention to detail and disciplined lab practices.

Nice to have

• Radar/phased array/EW/SATCOM systems experience.
• Anechoic chamber testing of phased arrays/antennas.
• Phase noise measurement and high-power/low-noise amplifier characterization.
• RF/microwave frequencies with custom fixtures/calibration.
• Automation tools: Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW.
• Lab/field environments with technicians.

Culture & Benefits

• Health: 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision; 401k with 50% match up to 6%, FSA, HSA, life insurance.
• Perks: Free daily lunch, no-meeting Fridays, unlimited PTO, casual dress.
• Compensation: Competitive base, pre-IPO stock options, relocation assistance, annual bonuses coming soon.