RF Hardware Engineer III

If you are looking to be part of a company focused on making our roads and communities safer, apply to join our team of talented individuals today!

*Please note - The pay rate will be based on experience. This position also includes a bonus plan*

What TAPCO has to offer you

• Quarterly Bonus Program
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Personal Time (starting day one)
• Four Weeks of Paid Parental Leave with no waiting period
• 401K Plan with Employer Match (fully vested on day one)
• Company-Funded Short-Term Disability
• Health, Vision, and Dental insurance
• Quarterly Company Events and Lunches
• Have a say in TAPCO Happenings by joining the Fun or Safety Committee

What you will accomplish as an RF Hardware Engineer III at TAPCO

We are seeking a skilled and motivated RF Hardware Design Engineer with expertise in designing, testing, and optimizing RF systems and components for embedded and wireless communication applications. In this role, you will be responsible for developing high-performance RF circuits, antenna systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance for wireless products. While experience in firmware development and IoT systems is a plus, the core focus of this role is RF design and hardware engineering. You will work cross-functionally with hardware, software, and test teams to bring wireless products from concept through to production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• RF Circuit Design: Design, simulate, and implement RF circuitry including power amplifiers, LNAs, filters, matching networks, and transceivers for wireless communication systems (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Zigbee, Sub-GHz).
• Antenna Design and Integration: Select, design, and integrate antenna solutions; perform tuning, matching, and layout optimization for embedded and external antenna systems.
• PCB Layout for RF: Collaborate with layout engineers to optimize high-frequency board layouts for signal integrity, impedance control, and minimal parasitics.
• RF Testing & Validation: Use RF test equipment (e.g., vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators) to validate and debug RF performance.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure designs meet applicable wireless communication standards and regulatory requirements (FCC, CE, ISED, etc.); support certification testing.
• Product Development Lifecycle: Participate in product definition, bring-up, validation, and transition to manufacturing of RF-enabled products.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with hardware, firmware, software, and mechanical teams to support system-level design decisions, troubleshooting, and integration.
• Optional / Preferred - Firmware & IoT Integration: Collaborate on embedded firmware development, sensor interfaces, and cloud-connected systems as needed. Experience with embedded C/C++, RTOS, or IoT protocols is a plus.

Required Experience and Knowledge/ Skills/Ability

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, RF Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in RF circuit and antenna design, test, and optimization.
• Deep knowledge of RF fundamentals, including impedance matching, S-parameters, noise figure, and RF propagation.
• Experience working with wireless standards (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Sub-GHz, LoRa, ISM bands).
• Proficiency in using RF design tools (e.g., ADS, CST, HFSS, Altium Designer, or similar).
• Proficient in using RF lab equipment for testing and validation.
• Experience designing PCBs with high-frequency considerations and mixed-signal integration.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and certification requirements (FCC, CE, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded systems or firmware development (e.g., C, C++, RTOS).
• Familiarity with IoT device architecture, cloud connectivity, and low-power design.
• Understanding of EMC/EMI mitigation techniques and pre-certification testing.
• Knowledge of environmental and reliability testing (thermal, vibration, aging).
• Experience working in Agile development environments and cross-functional teams.
• PMP or similar project management exposure is a plus, though not required.

About Us

At TAPCO, we aim to enhance transportation and personal safety in our communities through innovative solutions and products. We are driven to save lives! Are you looking for a career where you can earn a great wage based on experience and performance, your contributions are recognized, and you will have growth potential? Then choose TAPCO!

As an EEO Employer, including Verterans and Individuals with Disabilities, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran or disability status or other acceptable taglines in all printed employment advertisements.

If any assistance is needed with the application process, please contact TAPCO HR at 800-236-4462