# Senior RF Design Engineer

**Company:** [Skydio](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/skydio)
**Location:** San Mateo, CA
**Role:** Hardware Engineering
**Salary:** $170k – $240k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Rf Design, Lte, 5G, Cellular Hardware, Rf Front-End, Rf Coexistence, Desense Analysis, Ansys Hfss, Keysight Ads, Pcb Layout, Trp/Tis Testing, Ota Testing, Emi/Emc Mitigation, Network Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers
**Posted:** 2026-05-20

> Drive wireless system architecture, cellular hardware integration, and RF performance optimization for autonomous drone products. Lead cross-functional efforts from concept through certification and production ramp.

## Job Description

## How You’ll Make an Impact
- Collaborate closely with EE, RF, antenna, mechanical, ID, and systems teams to optimize end-to-end wireless system performance
- Define system-level wireless architecture, requirements, specifications, and performance targets
- Design, integrate, and validate wireless solutions across multiple radio technologies and frequency bands, including LTE/5G cellular systems
- Lead cellular hardware integration efforts from early architecture through bring-up, debugging, optimization, certification, and production ramp
- Drive RF coexistence and desense analysis across tightly integrated wireless subsystems
- Perform detailed circuit-level analysis to debug RF performance, interference, and desense issues, and characterize aggressor/victim relationships
- Identify and mitigate noise sources impacting wireless performance at both board and system levels
- Support end-to-end product development from concept, prototyping, and validation through qualification, carrier certification, PTCRB, regulatory approval, and manufacturing test
- Develop and execute wireless performance characterization plans, including TRP/TIS, OTA, throughput, range, and coexistence testing
- Partner with external module vendors, certification labs, and carriers to ensure successful cellular integration and compliance

## What Makes You a Good Fit
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 7+ years of hands-on experience developing wireless consumer or embedded products with complex RF systems
- Strong cellular hardware development experience required, including LTE modem integration, RF front-end architecture, carrier requirements, and system bring-up/debug
- Extensive experience supporting products through PTCRB and carrier certification processes strongly preferred
- Deep technical understanding of one or more wireless technologies including LTE/cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS/GNSS, and related coexistence challenges
- Strong understanding of RF desense mechanisms, EMI/EMC mitigation, radiated/conducted coupling, and system-level integration challenges
- Experience with analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design and analysis
- Experience with PCB schematic review, layout guidance, RF routing, grounding, shielding, and power integrity best practices
- Proven experience debugging and optimizing wireless system performance in highly integrated products
- Hands-on experience with RF lab equipment including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, CMW500, signal generators, power meters, near-field probes, and OTA test systems
- Experience using RF simulation and modeling tools such as Ansys HFSS and Keysight ADS
- Experience performing and analyzing TRP, TIS, OTA, throughput, and Rate vs. Range measurements
- Strong understanding of manufacturing test, production calibration, and wireless validation workflows
- Ability to independently drive complex technical problems across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced development environment

## Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salaries, equity in the form of stock options
- Comprehensive benefits packages including group health insurance, paid vacation time, sick leave, holiday pay, and 401K savings plan
- Relocation assistance may be provided for eligible roles

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