RF Test Engineer

Key areas of responsibility

• Developing test approaches to validate RF system performance, covering things like sensitivity, dynamic range, noise figure, and bandwidth.
• Setting up and running RF tests using lab equipment such as spectrum analysers, vector network analysers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Writing scripts (typically Python) to automate tests, control lab equipment, and make results repeatable.
• Supporting hardware bring-up and early-stage testing of new RF platforms, and feeding findings back to the design team.
• Working out what needs to be tested in cases where requirements aren’t fully defined, and building the test approach from there.
• Analysing test results and working with engineers to diagnose and resolve performance issues across analogue, mixed-signal, and digital domains.
• Working with QA and product validation teams to develop structured, repeatable test procedures that support product releases.
• Maintaining and improving lab test setups, equipment configurations, and test infrastructure over time.
• Producing clear test documentation including test plans, procedures, and results reports.
• Working closely with RF, hardware, software, and systems engineers to make sure test coverage lines up with system-level performance requirements.

Key skills, experience and behaviours

• Experience working hands-on with RF systems in a test, validation, or characterisation role.
• Practical experience using RF lab equipment such as spectrum analysers, vector network analysers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes.
• Experience writing code for test automation and equipment control, typically in Python or similar.
• Strong understanding of RF performance metrics including noise figure, gain, dynamic range, sensitivity, and bandwidth.
• Ability to understand how a system works and figure out what needs to be tested, even when requirements aren’t fully nailed down.
• Experience developing structured, repeatable test approaches and maintaining test documentation.
• A methodical approach to debugging & comfortable working through problems to understand why something isn’t behaving as expected.
• Experience working across disciplines with hardware, software, RF, and product engineers.

• Experience testing Software Defined Radio systems or SDR-based platforms.
• Familiarity with automating lab equipment using SCPI, instrument APIs, or similar.
• Experience building hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or automated regression test setups.
• Understanding of RF signal chain analysis, including cascade analysis and system-level budgets.
• Exposure to compliance or regulatory testing for RF systems.
• Experience supporting test and validation in defence, aerospace, or secure communications.

• Problem-solver: Able to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues pragmatically and efficiently.
• Curious and investigative: Happy to dig into a system to understand what’s going on and why.
• Detail-oriented: Maintains high standards in test execution and documentation.
• Adaptable and self-motivated: Learns quickly and continuously develops technical capability.
• Collaborative: Works effectively across disciplines, sharing knowledge openly.
• Continuous improvement mindset: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve test processes and ways of working.
• Agile mindset: Applies Agile principles pragmatically, facilitating alignment, prioritisation, and collaboration.

Working at Rowden