What does a radio frequency engineer do?
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
Radio frequency engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real radio frequency engineer resumes:
- Manage joint projects together with Samsung, Motorola, etc.
- Lead the development of the security layer of Wi-Fi on Sandbridge's proprietary platform.
- Assist with live broadcasts, update the community calendar, manage WCJW Facebook page.
- Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
- Measure stationary test for DL and UL throughput using iPerf.
- Advance WLAN troubleshooting on WLAN infrastructures, as well as surveying using AirMagnet.
- Screen calls for daily show and update radio show blog and Facebook page.
- Perform Wi-Fi heat scans of homes base on different placement and rotation of APs.
- Perform cluster drives for final acceptance, pre and post drive test for KPI improvement.
- Collect UE physical measurements (RSRP, RSRP and SINR) for all cells to analyze the network performance.
- Calibrate and troubleshoot antenna measurement systems on a weekly basis.
- Perform problem analysis and debugging of analog units and power amplifiers.
- Utilize NEC antenna modeling software to design broadband antenna with desire beam pattern and impedance matching characteristics.
- Perform site selection, site configuration, site coordination, antenna selection, coverage analysis, and interference analysis.
- Work on S11.5, S12 for Nokia BSC and TCSM.
Radio frequency engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Radio Frequency Engineers are proficient in Test Equipment, Antenna, and System Performance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Math skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Radio Frequency Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Equipment, 9%
Execute and verify integration and system tests including testing plans, identification of required test equipment and generation test case descriptions.
- Antenna, 7%
Performed antenna propagation of all two-way products to determine optimum performance characteristic condition for placement in factory fixture.
- System Performance, 4%
Work closely with System Performance Engineers to resolve customer complaints by performing specific data collection and evaluating new results.
- System Design, 4%
General system design responsibility including working with or providing support to the engineers responsible for the various transmitter units.
- Troubleshoot, 4%
Identify and analyze top offenders; troubleshoot selected customer complaints.
- Macro, 3%
Created several Visual Basic macro based programs to compile performance metrics and identify suspect resources increasing troubleshooting efficiency.
Most radio frequency engineers use their skills in "test equipment," "antenna," and "system performance" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential radio frequency engineer responsibilities here:
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for a radio frequency 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 frequency engineer resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "project manager and sr rf engineer for gigabit broadband initiative for mid-south chicago. "
Math skills. Many radio frequency engineer duties rely on math skills. "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment.," so a radio frequency engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways radio frequency engineer responsibilities rely on math skills: "reviewed network traffic and statistics (dropped call, handover, interference) improving umts network. "
Speaking skills. This is an important skill for radio frequency engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how radio frequency engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a radio frequency engineer: "analyzed and addressed rf interference & inter modulate related hardware issues on a & b band carriers. ".
Writing skills. radio frequency engineer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "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." This resume example shows what radio frequency engineers do with writing skills on a typical day: "worked on setting up all the data collection tools and writing scripts for tems investigation. "
The three companies that hire the most radio frequency engineers are:
- Apple119 radio frequency engineers jobs
- Raytheon Technologies98 radio frequency engineers jobs
- Lockheed Martin58 radio frequency engineers jobs
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Compare different radio frequency engineers
Radio frequency 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between radio frequency engineers and controls designer. For instance, radio frequency engineer responsibilities require skills such as "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "troubleshoot." Whereas a controls designer is skilled in "plc," "control panels," "ids," and "auto cad." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Controls designers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $88,405. Comparatively, radio frequency engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,522.On average, controls designers reach lower levels of education than radio frequency engineers. Controls designers are 10.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency engineer vs. Electrical designer
An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real radio frequency engineer resumes. While radio frequency engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "system design," electrical designers use skills like "revit," "electrical design," "autocad electrical," and "ul."
Electrical designers may earn a lower salary than radio frequency engineers, but electrical designers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $72,768. On the other hand, radio frequency engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,522.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Electrical designers tend to reach lower levels of education than radio frequency engineers. In fact, they're 15.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency engineer vs. Engineering trainee
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 frequency engineer resumes include skills like "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "system design," whereas an engineering trainee is more likely to list skills in "fire protection," "boilers," "geotechnical," and "python. "
Engineering trainees earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $63,253. Radio frequency engineers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $94,522.engineering trainees typically earn similar educational levels compared to radio frequency engineers. Specifically, they're 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radio frequency engineer vs. Senior pcb designer
Types of radio frequency engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
