RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer at K2 Space in Los Angeles, CA

Job description

• We are looking for a hands-on RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF and mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.
• You will work closely with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware, and validation teams to characterize RF performance, validate calibration algorithms, debug complex silicon issues, and build our RF test and validation capability from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
• Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
• Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
• Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and identify performance gaps and root causes.
• Partner with systems/DSP teams to validate RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
• Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
• Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
• Contribute to building the RF/mmWave validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test methodology, and automation from the ground up.
• Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.

Requirements

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave circuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.
• Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave test equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.
• Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.
• Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.
• Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.
• Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.
• Ka-band or higher-frequency mmWave silicon characterization experience.
• Experience with wideband RF transceivers.
• Experience validating digitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.
• Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.
• Experience with RF probing, mmWave fixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.
• Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.
• Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.
• SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.

Skills

Required

• RF/mmWave silicon validation
• RFIC test
• RF transceiver architectures
• Instrument-control interfaces

Preferred

• Wideband RF transceivers

Benefits

• Base salary range for this role is $170,000 – $250,000 + equity in the company
• Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
• If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
• If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.