Design Verification Engineer
Contract role with possibility for extension or conversion.
About the role
Our client is developing next-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems that require advanced RF, modem, and digital beamforming technologies. We are seeking a Senior Application Engineer / Design Verification Engineer to lead the characterization, validation, integration, and performance optimization of advanced RF and Digital Beamforming (DBF) devices used within customer terminals and satellite communication systems. This role sits at the intersection of RF engineering, device validation, system integration, and test automation. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer who enjoys working in the lab, building measurement systems, troubleshooting complex hardware, and translating device-level performance into system-level results. Unlike traditional test execution roles, this position requires a strong engineering mindset focused on designing experiments, developing test methodologies, analyzing results, and driving technical decisions throughout the product development lifecycle.
Priorities
- Chip bring-up and integration
- Device characterization and validation
- RF test development and automation
- Lab-based engineering work
- System-level integration of DBF (Digital Beamforming) devices into customer terminals and satellite systems
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive characterization plans for RF and Digital Beamforming (DBF) devices.
- Design and build measurement setups to evaluate device performance, functionality, and reliability.
- Perform RF measurements including gain, compression, linearity, noise, phase, frequency response, and other key performance metrics.
- Define pass/fail criteria and validate performance against system requirements.
- Analyze test data and provide actionable insight to design, systems, and integration teams.
- Develop new RF measurement methodologies and validation procedures.
- Build and configure RF test environments using industry-standard instrumentation.
- Create scalable, repeatable test solutions for characterization and production validation activities.
- Troubleshoot measurement issues, test setups, and hardware integration challenges.
- Integrate DBF devices into customer terminal and satellite communication platforms.
- Collaborate with systems, hardware, modem, and software engineering teams to validate end-to-end performance.
- Support bring-up, debug, and verification activities across device and system-level integrations.
- Drive root cause analysis for performance issues discovered during validation and integration efforts.
- Develop and maintain Python-based automation frameworks for instrument control and test execution.
- Automate RF measurements, data collection, reporting, and analysis workflows.
- Create tools for visualization, post-processing, and performance trending.
- Improve test efficiency, repeatability, and scalability through automation.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for RF characterization and validation methodologies.
- Mentor junior engineers on best practices for measurement, automation, and data analysis.
- Drive engineering rigor in test strategy development and experimental design.
- Influence product decisions through detailed technical analysis and data-driven recommendations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
- 7+ years of experience in RF characterization, validation, design verification, or application engineering.
- Hands-on experience working in RF laboratory environments.
- Experience developing and executing device characterization and validation plans.
- Strong understanding of RF measurement fundamentals and test methodologies.
- Proficiency with Python for test automation, instrument control, and data analysis.
- Experience troubleshooting hardware and system integration issues.
- Ability to independently design experiments and interpret complex measurement data.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- Experience with phased-array or beamforming systems.
- Digital Beamforming (DBF) device integration experience.
- Background in modem development or communications hardware.
- Familiarity with communication theory and DSP concepts.
- Experience supporting satellite communications, telecommunications infrastructure, or advanced wireless systems.
- Experience with production validation and system-level bring-up.
Benefits
- PTO
- Holiday Pay
- Sick Leave
- 401k
- Medical Insurance
- Supplemental benefits including dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
- 401K with company match after 12 months of tenure
- Health Savings Account (HSA) on the HDHP plan
- SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions
- Corporate discount savings program and other discounts
- On-demand training program
- Access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars after 6+ months of tenure
- Certification discounts and perks for associations including CompTIA and IIBA
- Dedicated customer service team for consultants
- Access to a certified Career Coach