RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer
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What you'll do
- Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
- Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
- Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
- Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and identify performance gaps and root causes.
- Partner with systems/DSP teams to validate RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
- Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
- Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
- Contribute to building the RF/mmWave validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test methodology, and automation from the ground up.
- Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.
What they're looking for
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.
- Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave circuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.
- Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave test equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.
- Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.
- Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.
- Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.
- Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.
Nice to have
- Ka-band or higher-frequency mmWave silicon characterization experience.
- Experience with wideband RF transceivers.
- Experience validating digitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.
- Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.
- Experience with RF probing, mmWave fixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.
- Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.
- Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.
- SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price — and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger — helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to bring up and characterize highly integrated RF and mmWave SoCs from first silicon through product integration.
You will work closely with RFIC designers, systems/DSP, mixed-signal, firmware, hardware, and validation teams to characterize RF performance, validate calibration algorithms, debug complex silicon issues, and build our RF test and validation capability from the ground up.
Responsibilities
- Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon, including TX/RX signal chains, LNAs, PAs, mixers, LO generation, PLLs, and RF front ends.
- Develop and execute RF characterization plans across frequency, power, voltage, temperature, process, and operating modes.
- Measure key RF performance including gain, noise figure, output power, compression, linearity, EVM, ACLR, phase noise, spurious performance, harmonics, sensitivity, and dynamic range.
- Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups for characterization, regression, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Work closely with RFIC designers to correlate silicon measurements with simulations and identify performance gaps and root causes.
- Partner with systems/DSP teams to validate RF calibration and signal-processing algorithms on silicon and correlate performance with system models.
- Debug complex issues spanning silicon, package, PCB, firmware, calibration, test setup, and system behavior.
- Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration and system-level validation.
- Contribute to building the RF/mmWave validation lab, measurement infrastructure, test methodology, and automation from the ground up.
- Document characterization results, silicon limitations, workarounds, and lessons learned for future silicon generations.
Qualifications
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
- 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation, characterization, RFIC test, or related experience.
- Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures and RF/mmWave circuits, including LNAs, PAs, mixers, PLLs, and frequency-generation systems.
- Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave test equipment including vector network analyzers, spectrum/signal analyzers, vector signal generators, oscilloscopes, power meters, noise-figure analyzers, and phase-noise measurement equipment.
- Strong understanding of RF measurement techniques, calibration, de-embedding, noise, linearity, modulation quality, and spectral analysis.
- Experience developing automated characterization environments using Python or similar scripting languages and instrument-control interfaces.
- Strong debugging skills and ability to isolate problems across silicon, package, PCB, firmware, and measurement environments.
- Experience working closely with RFIC designers and systems engineers to correlate measurements with circuit simulations and system models.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment and build RF test capability from the ground up.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ka-band or higher-frequency mmWave silicon characterization experience.
- Experience with wideband RF transceivers.
- Experience validating digitally assisted RF circuits and calibration algorithms.
- Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements, EVM, ACLR, and communication-system performance.
- Experience with RF probing, mmWave fixtures, calibration, and package/PCB de-embedding.
- Familiarity with high-speed ADC/DAC interfaces and mixed-signal SoCs.
- Experience with automated PVT characterization and large-scale measurement data analysis.
- SI/PI, RF packaging, antenna, and high-frequency PCB experience.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base salary range for this role is $170,000 – $250,000 + equity in the company
- Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks
If you don’t meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, “U.S. Persons” include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a “U.S. Person.”
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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