What does a radio engineer do?
Radio engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real radio engineer resumes:
- Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
- Create custom software products to support a variety of SCSI storage devices for SVR4 UNIX.
- Design and develop RF/Analog broadband cable distribution equipment.
- Execute event analysis and provide solutions to meet KPI requirements.
- Evaluate technical readiness of VOIP over cellular technology for executive team
- Perform testing of prototypes for conformance to FCC specifications during development.
- Develop T/R leakage cancelation circuit for high-power radar with monostatic antenna architecture.
- Perform neighbors/parameter site audits, KPI monitoring, site verification and layer management analysis.
- Conduct prototyping development through research, simulation, testing, analysis, optimization and evaluation.
- Design and develop of ceramic bandpass combline transceiver/receiver (T/R) filter for wireless telecommunication antenna.
- Generate system block diagrams and various explanatory diagrams for analysis studies, specifications and reports using Visio.
- Perform critical on-site troubleshooting for clients, responsible for acquiring data and generating FCC compliance and certification reports.
- Expedite and simplify the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models
- Integrate, optimize and maintain the Nokia GSM ultra-sites.
- Conduct site survey of the proposed GSM sites location.
Radio engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Radio Engineers are proficient in RF, Java, and FM. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Radio Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- RF, 26%
Staff engineer for performing technical studies and developed design of Broadcast stations, SMR and Cellular RF transmission systems.
- Java, 13%
Transformed usability designs into actionable development specifications and test plans for UI fundamentals, Java widgets and operator-specific cell phone applications.
- FM, 13%
Maintained and supported two cable TV stations, one FM stereo radio station, and the campus cable system.
- Transmitters, 8%
Prepared engineering packages for installation of Microwave radio transmitters on radio towers.
- FCC, 7%
Performed critical on-site troubleshooting for clients, responsible for acquiring data and generating FCC compliance and certification reports.
- Debugging, 6%
Managed and created containers using Docker and responsible for debugging and provisioning docker environment.
"rf," "java," and "fm" are among the most common skills that radio engineers use at work. You can find even more radio engineer responsibilities below, including:
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for a radio engineer to carry out their responsibilities is initiative. This skill is important for the role because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Additionally, a radio engineer resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "led initiative to standardize css, themes and javascript for cross browser and cross platform support. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform radio engineer duties is speaking skills. Radio engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." Radio engineers also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "completed site scoping created and presented coverage maps to the board of directors and senior management using mapinfo. "
Writing skills. radio engineers are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to radio engineer responsibilities, because "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." A radio engineer resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "managed the testing and qa of system functionality which included writing scripts and testtracking. "
Math skills. For certain radio engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a radio engineer rely on this skill, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what radio engineers do: "perform power statistics by better tune output power in some sites to reduce interference. "
The three companies that hire the most radio engineers are:
- CFD Research3 radio engineers jobs
- CACI International2 radio engineers jobs
- The Salem News2 radio engineers jobs
Compare different radio engineers
Radio engineer vs. Controls designer
Controls designers both design and draft systems of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical controls for equipment and machines. The designers make diagrams of the logic system for timing and sequence control. They illustrate and describe details for installation and maintenance, such as bearing lubrication and lubrication types. It is part of their job to review schematics with the representatives of customers to answer questions during robot system installation. Also, they may design energy conversion controls.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, radio engineer responsibilities require skills like "rf," "java," "fm," and "fcc." Meanwhile a typical controls designer has skills in areas such as "plc," "control panels," "ids," and "auto cad." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Controls designers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $88,405. In contrast, radio engineers make the biggest average salary, $105,226, in the telecommunication industry.The education levels that controls designers earn slightly differ from radio engineers. In particular, controls designers are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a radio engineer. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio engineer vs. Pcb designer
PCB designers are professionals who use computer software programs to design printed circuit boards (PCBs), an electronic circuit that supports electronic components such as transistors, diodes, and capacitors. These designers must design and implement various circuit boards and perform revisions to apply changes that are based on the specifications of customers and engineers. They need to collaborate with the companies that fabricate and assemble PCBs to discuss the quality, cost-effective, and timely deliveries of PCBs. PCB designers must also use AutoCAD software to design schematics for the PCB systems.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real radio engineer resumes. While radio engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "java," "fm," "transmitters," and "fcc," pcb designers use skills like "dfm," "pcb layout," "schematic capture," and "ipc standards."
Pcb designers earn a lower average salary than radio engineers. But pcb designers earn the highest pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $90,002. Additionally, radio engineers earn the highest salaries in the telecommunication with average pay of $105,226 annually.pcb designers earn lower levels of education than radio engineers in general. They're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio engineer vs. Senior pcb designer
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from radio engineer resumes include skills like "java," "fm," "transmitters," and "fcc," whereas a senior pcb designer is more likely to list skills in "schematic capture," "pcb layout," "analog," and "mentor graphics. "
Senior pcb designers typically earn lower educational levels compared to radio engineers. Specifically, they're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio engineer vs. Engineering trainee
Types of radio engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
