RF Test and Calibration Engineer
Quartermaster
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Arlington • Virginia • United States
Visit company websiteExplore more
Tech Stack
About the role
- Establish NIST-traceable (or equivalent) calibration capability for Matsu SDR systems. Define procedures, select equipment, and set up an in-house lab or manage contract labs end to end.
- Design, build, and maintain RF test infrastructure at our Northern Virginia office and future remote/vessel deployment sites. Own the equipment inventory, maintenance cycles, operational readiness, and coordination with hardware and software teams.
- Participate in hardware design reviews. Define testability requirements, component tolerance specs for our radio systems, peripheral hardware (e.g. GPSDOs), and custom assemblies.
- Develop and own Acceptance Test Procedures (ATPs) for execution by technicians for medium to high volume production runs. Automate where practical; define pass/fail criteria that catch previous and potential failure modes.
- Measure and validate timing accuracy, latency, and phase coherence across the full system. Document performance margins against system requirements.
- Lead calibration and characterization of system components, including GNSS hardware, antenna patterns, and more. Define the measurements, execute or delegate, and own the traceability records.
- Define and execute (or outsource) environmental qualification: maritime vibration, temperature/humidity cycling, salt spray. Coordinate with hardware engineers to know the applicable standards and when to apply them.
- Establish incoming inspection criteria for RF components. Own the qualification process for primary vendors and other supply chain partners. Flag reliability risks before they reach production.
- Leverage your network in RF test, calibration, and defense hardware to identify what fails at scale. Bring that knowledge into design and procurement decisions early.
- Maintain calibration records, test data packages, and qualification documentation to support internal quality processes and customer/program requirements.
Requirements
- 7+ years of hands-on RF testbench experience in a production, defense, or advanced development environment.
- Deep proficiency with RF test equipment: VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, channel emulators, power meters, and associated calibration standards.
- Demonstrated experience building or managing a calibration program—not just using calibrated equipment.
- Experience writing, owning, and executing Acceptance Test Procedures for production hardware.
- Strong working knowledge of RF system performance parameters: gain, noise figure, IIP3, phase noise, VSWR, spurious emissions.
- Hands-on experience with GPS-disciplined oscillators or other precision timing references.
- Proven ability to evaluate, qualify, and manage external calibration labs or test contractors.
- US citizenship required.
- Must be eligible to obtain/maintain a security clearance.
Benefits
- Flexible working hours with occasional deadlines requiring high availability
- Opportunity to work on innovative projects with a global impact
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
RF testbench experiencecalibration program managementAcceptance Test Procedures (ATPs)RF system performance parametersGPS-disciplined oscillatorstiming accuracy measurementenvironmental qualificationincoming inspection criteriatest data documentationfailure mode analysis
Soft Skills
leadershipcommunicationorganizational skillscollaborationproblem-solving
Certifications
security clearance eligibility