RF Test Engineer

Job Summary:

Mercury Systems is seeking the best and brightest talent to help us bring cutting-edge technology to mission-critical aerospace and defense applications, advancing innovation where it matters most.

Join our team as a Test Engineer III in our Integrated Processing Solutions business unit, where you''ll serve as a technical test lead on a major program focused on sophisticated RF transmitter/receiver systems. This role centers on RF and antenna testing, environmental qualification, and test strategy development for mission-critical defense applications.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead Design Verification Test (DVT) strategy and execution for complex RF transmitter/receiver systems and subsystems
• Design and develop specialized RF test fixtures, antenna test ranges, and test interface boards for RF subsystems
• Perform comprehensive antenna testing including radiation patterns, gain measurements, VSWR, impedance matching, and far-field/near-field characterization
• Conduct RF system performance testing including transmit power, receiver sensitivity, spurious emissions, harmonics, and intermodulation distortion
• Develop and maintain sophisticated automated test scripts for RF instrument control, data acquisition, and automated reporting
• Lead environmental and qualification testing per MIL-STD-810H (thermal, vibration, shock) and MIL-STD-461G (EMI/EMC) standards
• Perform root cause analysis on complex RF test failures and drive resolution with cross-functional teams
• Develop comprehensive test procedures and own formal test reports with full requirements traceability
• Maintain test equipment calibration records and lead configuration management of test assets
• Lead production test handoff activities including documentation, automation development, and knowledge transfer
• Interface with design engineering, program management, and manufacturing as the RF test subject matter expert for the program
• Support test planning, resource allocation, and schedule management activities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Typically requires a minimum of 4 years of related experience in electronics test engineering
• Extensive hands-on experience testing RF systems, transmitters, receivers, or antenna systems
• Strong programming experience in languages such as Python, .NET, or similar for test automation and data analysis
• Advanced proficiency with RF test equipment: spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, power meters, anechoic chambers, and antenna test ranges (including CATR)
• Demonstrated experience with antenna testing and characterization techniques
• Strong understanding of RF communication principles, modulation schemes, and link budgets
• Experience with MIL-STD environmental and EMI/EMC testing standards (810H, 461G)
• This position requires you to have or obtain a government security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens.
• Travel approximately 10-15% to external test facilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master''s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or similar) for test automation development
• Experience with advanced antenna testing: phased arrays, AESA systems, and OTA methodologies
• Experience with additional MIL-STD test standards (704, 1275, or similar)
• Experience with RF test fixture design or PCB layout tools for RF applications
• Familiarity with additional languages such as C/C++, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Rust, or SQL
• Knowledge of antenna design principles and electromagnetic theory
• Experience with requirements management tools (JAMA, DOORS)
• Understanding of Design for Test (DFT) principles for RF systems
• Previous experience in aerospace, defense, or ruggedized electronics industries
• Existing Secret clearance or higher
• Experience with OpenVPX/SOSA architecture, VITA standards (46.11, 48.2, 62, 65, 67.3), and RFSoC/FPGA-based RF systems
• Experience with high-speed data interfaces including 100GigE, 40GigE, 10GigE, and fiber optic connections

Location:

• This position is on-site at Mercury Systems, Phoenix, AR
• Enjoy every other Friday off with our 9/80 work schedule!