Senior RF Test & PCB Design Engineer

Job Title: Senior RF Test & PCB Design Engineer Position Description: Protingent Staffing has an exciting contract Senior RF Test & PCB Design Engineer with our client located in San Jose, CA. Job Responsibilities: PCB Development: Lead the schematic entry, component selection, and layout routing optimization for complex RF evaluation boards using Cadence Allegro. Simulation & Analysis: Perform Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) simulations. Utilize Ansys HFSS for EM modeling and impedance matching to ensure optimal RF performance. Hardware Bring-up: Own the board bring-up process, including debugging hardware issues and validating performance against design specifications. RF Characterization: Utilize lab equipment (VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators) to perform various RF measurements and verify simulation-to-measurement correlations. Implement Machine Learning (ML) techniques to analyze large datasets and identify performance trends or anomalies. Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with RFIC Design and System Engineering teams to define board requirements and provide feedback on chip-level performance. Documentation & Data Analysis: Maintain detailed design documentations and test reports for internal and external stakeholders. Collect, review and analyze test data. Job Qualifications: Education: BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field. Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in RF PCB design and hardware development. Tools: Expert-level proficiency in Cadence Allegro/OrCAD and Ansys HFSS (or equivalent EM simulation tools). RF Fundamentals: Strong knowledge of RF theory, including S-parameters, transmission line theory, matching networks, and de-embedding techniques. Lab Expertise: Extensive experience with RF test equipment (VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes) and high-speed probing techniques. Materials Knowledge: Deep understanding of PCB stack-ups, dielectric materials (e.g., Rogers, Megtron), and manufacturing constraints for high-frequency PCB designs. Nice to Have: Automation: Proficiency in Python or C# for developing automated test suites to increase characterization throughput. Data Science for RF: Experience applying AI/ML models for predictive maintenance of test setups or for signal classification. Wafer-Level Testing: Experience with manual or semi-automated RF probe stations for on-wafer die characterization. Job Details: Job Type: Contract Pay Range: $75 - $80 an hour. Location: San Jose, CA. Benefits Package: Protingent offers competitive salaries, insurance plan options (HDHP plan or POS plan), education/certification reimbursement, pre-tax commuter benefits, Paid Time Off (PTO), and an administered 401k plan. About Protingent: Protingent is an Award-Winning provider of top-tier Engineering and IT talent, trusted by companies at the forefront of innovation — from Software and Aerospace to AI, Clean Tech, Medical Devices, and Connected Technologies. We’re passionate about making a positive impact by connecting exceptional talent with meaningful opportunities and helping our clients build the future.