EMI/EMC Test & Measurement Engineer

RF Test & Compliance Engineer

Location: Washington, DC area
Salary Range: $120,000 – $150,000
Travel: ~5–10%
Employment Type: Full-time

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on RF Test & Compliance Engineer to support testing, validation, and regulatory compliance across advanced electronic systems. This role will focus on RF and electromagnetic performance, including pre-compliance testing, coordination of formal test campaigns, and driving design improvements to ensure products meet industry and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a lab environment, has strong experience with RF test equipment, and can translate test results into clear, actionable engineering recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform RF and EMI/EMC pre-compliance testing using standard lab equipment
• Develop and maintain repeatable test setups, calibration routines, and procedures
• Coordinate and support formal compliance testing with third-party labs
• Analyze test data and provide recommendations to improve RF and electromagnetic performance
• Partner with design teams to improve grounding, shielding, filtering, and layout practices
• Interpret and apply relevant regulatory and industry standards (e.g., MIL-STD, FCC, CISPR)
• Support development of automated test processes and signal generation methods
• Troubleshoot and resolve RF and EMI/EMC issues through structured root cause analysis
• Maintain lab equipment, documentation, and safety standards
• Collaborate cross-functionally with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in RF testing, EMI/EMC, or related test environments
• Hands-on experience with RF lab equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Familiarity with RF/EMI/EMC compliance standards and testing processes
• Strong understanding of electromagnetic principles, shielding, grounding, and PCB design considerations
• Experience with test automation or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, SCPI) is a plus
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with third-party compliance labs
• Background in defense, aerospace, or other regulated industries
• Familiarity with environmental testing impacts on RF/EMC performance
• Exposure to antenna systems or RF signal generation

Additional Information

• Ability to travel occasionally for testing and program support
• Must be eligible to obtain a security clearance (if required)
• Comfortable working in a lab environment and handling test equipment

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Reduced compliance failures and faster test cycles
• Clear, actionable engineering recommendations
• Strong collaboration across engineering teams
• Reliable and well-maintained test environments