Lead RF Hardware Engineer
Required skills
- RF Hardware Engineer
- spectrum dominance
- AI-enabled hardware
- software defined radios
- amplifiers
- antennas
- frequency converters
- schematic capture
- layout
- bring up
Nice to have
- GNU Radio
- DSP frameworks
Role summary
CX2, a defense technology company focused on spectrum dominance, seeks a Lead RF Hardware Engineer for its El Segundo, CA headquarters. This role involves end-to-end support of RF components like SDRs, amplifiers, and antennas. Responsibilities include designing complex RF systems, automating test setups, and mentoring engineers. The ideal candidate has experience in NPI, design-for-manufacturing, and design-for-test, with strong skills in RF fundamentals, Python/MATLAB, and eCAD/CAD software. A BS/MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering is required, along with a minimum of 4 years' experience, including 2 years leading engineering teams. Experience with link budgets, RF system parameters, antenna/receiver design, and channelizers is essential. Security clearance and U.S. Person status are mandatory.
CX2 is seeking a Lead RF Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience in cradle to grave support of various RF components - including software defined radios, amplifiers, antennas, and frequency converters. Experience leading a team of engineers is also strongly preferred.
This role requires an onsite presence in our El Segundo, CA HQ; a remote work environment is not considered for this opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
Cradle to grave support of various RF components - requirements capture, schematic capture, layout, bring up, measurement, production, test, and RF system level support.
Automate bench measurement setups for RF test data collection, and post-processing to make informed, data-driven conclusions
Design, integrate, and maintain complex RF systems at a blazing speed. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in New Product Introduction (NPI), design-for-manufacturing, and design-for-test.
Mentor and coach engineers - to effectively do this the ideal candidate would have deep experience with both eCAD and CAD software, a solid understanding of RF fundamentals, and an advanced proficiency in either Python and/or MATLAB.
Qualifications
BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
A minimum of 4 years’ total experience, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience leading a cross-functional engineering team
Experience creating link budgets and aligning them to real-world test data
Strong understanding of RF system parameters including gain, cascaded noise figure, figure-of-merit, linearity, and band flatness
Willingness to debug complex electrical systems and methodically identify root causes of issues
Antenna and receiver design across analog/RF/mixed-signal domains: mixers, PLLs/LOs, gain/linearity/noise trades; ability to turn simulations into reality.
Channelizers & wideband architectures: filter banks, analog/digital down conversion, sample-rate planning, clocking/synchronization.
Willingness to support critical test events that occasionally require extended hours/weekends
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Must be a U.S. Person (see ITAR Regulations below) due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities
Bonus Points
Experience putting hardware through formal qualification campaigns and implementing robust screening of units in a manufacturing environment
Experience with RF systems on UAVs or for military applications
Experience with GNU Radio or similar DSP frameworks
Experience scaling RF products and technologies
What We Offer
ITAR Regulations
CX2 is a next-generation defense technology company securing spectrum dominance for the United States and its allies. We build AI-enabled hardware and software platforms to detect, disrupt, and defend the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air, sea, and space. Our systems are deployed in the most contested operational environments in the world. We’re backed by leading venture investors in the defense ecosystem and led by founders with track records at Meta, SpaceX, Epirus, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Equal Opportunity Employer CX2 is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in compliance with the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. To view CX2's privacy policy, please visit: https://www.cx2.com/privacy
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