• Client is seeking a hands-on Systems Engineer III to expand the engineering execution capacity of its San Diego lab. This engineer will support the integration, bring-up, characterization, validation, debugging, and testing of phased-array communication systems.
• The role will work closely with hardware, RF, firmware, software, and manufacturing engineers to evaluate complete system performance, investigate technical issues, and develop scalable test and validation solutions.
• This position is particularly well suited for an engineer with a strong RF/hardware systems background who is comfortable working directly with complex hardware and RF instrumentation in a lab environment. While Python and automation are used extensively as engineering tools, this is not primarily a software development role.

• Support system integration, bring-up, characterization, and validation of phased-array communication systems.
• Develop, execute, and maintain system-level test plans and validation procedures.
• Perform hands-on testing and characterization of integrated RF/hardware systems.
• Investigate and debug complex issues spanning RF hardware, electronics, firmware, software, instrumentation, and overall system integration.
• Perform RF measurements and analyze system performance using lab instrumentation.
• Support RF, thermal, and environmental characterization, including repeated testing across varying operating conditions.
• Perform root-cause analysis of unexpected system behavior and independently drive engineering investigations.
• Determine whether failures or unexpected measurements originate from the hardware, RF path, instrumentation, configuration, firmware/software, or test environment.
• Collect, analyze, interpret, and present engineering test data.
• Develop and maintain engineering automation using Python or similar tools to improve test execution, data collection, and analysis.
• Partner with software/automation engineers to ensure automated test environments accurately represent hardware behavior and produce meaningful results.
• Support deployment, validation, and continuous improvement of engineering test venues.
• Document test configurations, procedures, results, root-cause findings, and engineering best practices.
• Assist with hands-on lab operations as needed, including test setup, equipment installation, hardware changes, rack modifications, and cabling.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Hands-on experience with RF/wireless systems, complex electronic hardware, or integrated communication systems.
• Experience with system bring-up, integration, characterization, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, including:
• RF power, gain, and loss
• Signal-to-noise ratio and noise
• Frequency and bandwidth
• Impedance and matching
• Reflections / return loss
• RF signal chains
• Antenna fundamentals
• Measurement accuracy and calibration
• Hands-on experience with RF/lab instrumentation such as:
• Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs)
• Spectrum analyzers and/or Vector Signal Analyzers (VSAs)
• Signal generators
• Oscilloscopes
• Power supplies
• Power measurement equipment
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to independently investigate ambiguous system-level problems with minimal day-to-day direction.
• Experience working across hardware and software/firmware boundaries.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and clearly communicate engineering test results.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Experience with phased-array antennas or phased-array communication systems.
• RF or wireless communications experience.
• Satellite communications experience.
• Antenna or RF system characterization.
• Conducted and/or over-the-air (OTA) RF testing.
• Antenna chamber testing.
• Beamforming or antenna-array experience.
• Thermal and environmental testing.
• Automated test systems or instrument control.
• Manufacturing validation.
• Signal processing experience.
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar engineering tools for automation, analysis, or test.
• Linux experience.
• Experience supporting long-duration automated or environmental testing.

Benefits:

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, short-term disability insurance, paid parking/public transportation, (paid time , paid sick and safe time , hours of paid vacation time, weeks of paid parental leave, paid holidays annually - AS Applicable)