POSITION OVERVIEW: Senior RF Systems Engineer (ADG System R&D)

The Team:

To achieve NI's Core Strategic Vision to be the leader in software-defined automated test and automated measurements systems, the company is evolving its operating model to align behind industry-oriented business units.

The Systems R&D team in the Aerospace, Defense and Government (ADG) Business Unit focuses on the design and development of components and systems in key application areas, including avionics, communications, navigation, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW) and RADAR. Leveraging NI's portfolio of PXI RF instruments, modular FPGA co-processors, software-defined radios (USRP products), and software tools (LabVIEW, LabVIEW FPGA, open source), the Systems R&D team creates systems at various levels to provide differentiated system-level offerings.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced RF Systems Engineer to join our System R&D team. This role is critical in driving innovation, shaping RF feature development, and ensuring high-quality validation across RF components and subsystems. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on RF measurement expertise, collaborates effectively across business and engineering functions, and can translate customer needs into meaningful technical requirements

The engineer will be responsible for the research, design, and development of software components addressing various customer requirements in the focus applications of the ADG Business Unit. They will work closely with domain experts within the BU to define and execute on the implementation strategy of critical software components, system-level software architectures, and APIs/User Interfaces (UIs).

The role demands an individual who can think at the system level while providing a best-in-class software experience for NI customers and enjoys working collaboratively in a team setting.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Lead RF measurement, characterization, and validation IP development.
• Perform detailed RF testing using industry-standard RF instrumentation (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators).
• Collaborate closely with product managers, business stakeholders, and customers to identify RF-related feature needs and performance gaps.
• Translate RF application requirements into clear specifications and actionable engineering tasks.
• Work closely with various stakeholders to guide feature implementation, test strategy, and verification plans.
• Develop and review RF test plans, validation protocols, and documentation for internal and customer-facing use.
• Support continuous improvement efforts in RF measurement methodology, automation, and system performance.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers in RF domain knowledge and measurement practices
• Actively participate in coding and software development for RF related features, application logic, and internal IP-collaborating as part of the development team related features, application logic, and internal IP-collaborating as part of the development team.-related features, application logic, and internal IP-collaborating as part of the development team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on RF experience in testing, characterization, or validation of RF components or systems.
• Strong proficiency with RF measurement equipment (e.g., VNA, SA, SG, power meters).
• Solid understanding of RF concepts such as S-parameters, impedance matching, signal integrity, noise figure, gain, linearity, and RF system architecture.
• Experience in system-level or module-level validation workflows.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate complex RF topics to non-RF stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Background in test automation or scripting (Python, LabVIEW, or similar).
• Proficient communication skill in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NI LabVIEW, NI test equipment, or automated RF test setups.
• Experience working in an R&D environment for wireless communications, radar, semiconductor test, or related RF applications.
• Hands-on experience in system integration, RF troubleshooting at board or subsystem level.
• Knowledge of embedded systems, mixed-signal electronics, or hardware-software co-development.
• Strong documentation and technical writing skills.
• Proficiency in programming languages and development experience on Windows/Linux platform in traditional text-based programming and/or NI Software.

Success Factors

• Ability to independently identify and solve application-specific system engineering problems.
• A desire to learn about software architecture & design principles.
• Persistently drives tasks and lead projects to successful completion.
• Implement moderate features to a high level of quality.
• Effectively interact and communicate with engineering teams and management.
• Strong problem-solving skills, work ethic, and drive to succeed.