Salary Range: 160000 to 200000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

CX2 is a next-generation defense technology company founded to deliver spectrum dominance for the United States and our allies. CX2’s AI-enabled hardware and software platforms detect, disrupt and defend the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air, sea and space domains.

CX2 is seeking a skilled RF Hardware Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience in designing, testing and building RF Systems (Tx / Rx) for RF signals (ex. communications, RADAR, navigation) UHF through X-Band.

This role requires an onsite presence in our El Segundo, CA HQ; a remote work environment is not considered for this opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Design, validate & deliver RF payload subsystems: Design, Integration and Testing of Antennas, RF front ends, SDRs and provide validation of operation. Support development and analysis of RF performance metrics.
Own requirements, ICDs, and verification from concept through delivery
Stay current: Track and insert advances in relevant technologies, SDRs, RF Systems, RF machine learning, and PNT.

Qualifications

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Antenna and receiver design across analog/RF/mixed-signal domains: mixers, PLLs/LOs, gain/linearity/noise trades; ability to turn simulations into reality.
Channelizers & wideband architectures: filter banks, analog/digital down conversion, sample-rate planning, clocking/synchronization.
Willingness to support critical test events that occasionally require extended hours/weekends
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Must be a U.S. Person (see ITAR Regulations below) due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities

Bonus Points

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
5+ years’ experience with EW subsystems and payloads
EA/ECM technique design (deception, Digital RF Memory, coherent/non-coherent techniques)
Digital Signal processing: Design characterize and deliver channelizers, wideband detection/classification, MIMO/digital-arrays, and algorithms in MATLAB/Python/C++
Communication / Waveform system design
RF machine learning for emitter ID, modulation/classification, anomaly detection, PDW creation
Tools Experience: ADS/AWR/SystemVue, MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy/SciPy), GNU Radio/SDR (USRP/RFSoC), VITA-49; HDL/firmware experience; also helpful (Vivado/Quartus/Libero).
Clearance: Active Secret or ability to obtain and maintain; TS/SCI eligibility preferred. ITAR/EAR-controlled work. Learn more about Security Clearances here.
Field work: supporting periodic travel for flight tests and customer demonstrations/support
Mindset: Builder-tester who loves first-principles RF, rapid lab iteration, and getting hardware flying fast

What We Offer

Competitive salary, stock options and benefits, including health, vision and dental.
401K enrollment at 90 days.
Generous PTO + most Federal Holidays observed.
Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Access to the latest tools and technologies.
High levels of responsibility and autonomy.
Professional growth and development opportunities.
Access to the hardest problems in electronic warfare.

ITAR Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a US Citizen, Green Card holder, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

CX2 is a next-generation defense technology company securing spectrum dominance for the United States and its allies. We build AI-enabled hardware and software platforms to detect, disrupt, and defend the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air, sea, and space. Our systems are deployed in the most contested operational environments in the world. We’re backed by leading venture investors in the defense ecosystem and led by founders with track records at Meta, SpaceX, Epirus, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CX2 is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in compliance with the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

To view CX2's privacy policy, please visit: https://www.cx2.com/privacy

About the company

CX2 develops AI-enabled hardware and software to manage the electromagnetic spectrum for military use. Its platform autonomously detects, classifies, and counters RF threats at the tactical edge, providing spectrum awareness and emitter tracking with GPS-denied capability and optional high-resolution imagery for threat confirmation. The system is modular and hardware-agnostic, designed to be deployed on drones or vehicles and updated quickly at lower cost compared with traditional EW systems. The goal is to enable rapid, targeted responses to RF threats to protect missions for the U.S. military and its allies, leveraging a leadership team with deep military, defense, and tech experience.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$46M

Headquarters

El Segundo, California

Founded

2024

Get referred to CX2

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

More than 450 Vadris systems reached the U.S. Department of War by October 2026.
Picogrid integration in February 2026 expands CX2’s battlefield workflow and exercises exposure.
Vadris SDR now covers TBS Crossfire and DJI OcuSync, widening immediate counter-UAS relevance.

What critics are saying

CX2 still lacks a public program of record; DIU wins remain pilot-to-production risk through 2027.
The undisclosed second Wraith product creates execution opacity and product concentration around classified demand.
If faster-cheaper EW gets commoditized, CX2’s 450-unit fielding becomes a stepping stone, not dominance.

What makes CX2 unique

CX2’s October 2026 Vadris SDR adds software-defined FPV protocol coverage without hardware swaps.
April 2026 DIU Project G.I. dual-selection validates Wraith and a second undisclosed product.
El Segundo founders from Epirus, Raytheon, SpaceX, and a16z give CX2 unusual defense pedigree.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

29%

1 year growth

29%

2 year growth

50%

Associated Press

Oct 1st, 2026

CX2 launches Vadris SDR to detect multiple FPV drone protocols after fielding 450 units to US Department of War

CX2 has launched Vadris SDR, a software-defined radio version of its RF direction-finding payload for counter-drone missions. The system mounts on FPV drones to detect radio frequency activity and provide directional information to operators. Vadris SDR expands coverage beyond the original ExpressLRS protocol to include TBS Crossfire and DJI OcuSync. The software-defined architecture allows CX2 to add new protocols without hardware changes. More than 450 Vadris systems have been deployed to the US Department of War. The payload transforms standard FPV drones into RF-seeking platforms that can adapt to evolving drone control protocols through software updates rather than hardware replacement. CEO Porter Smith said the system enables sensors to detect multiple drone "languages" for counter-UAS operations.

IT Brief

May 4th, 2026

Launchpad Build AI opens El Segundo HQ and launches manufacturing model after $11M raise

Launchpad Build AI has opened its US headquarters in El Segundo and launched what it calls the world's first Manufacturing Language Model after raising $11 million in Series A funding. The company, formerly known as Launchpad Build, has rebranded to reflect its greater emphasis on artificial intelligence. Founded in 2020, the robotics firm operates from El Segundo and Edinburgh with deployments across the US and Europe. The new AI model works from photos, videos or CAD inputs to help factories develop automation systems, targeting high-mix, low-volume manufacturers. The company has appointed Ken Moynihan as chief technology officer and Yannis Georgas as head of Manufacturing Language Model. Series A investors included Lavrock Ventures, Squadra Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures and Scottish National Investment Bank.

EIN News

Jun 16th, 2025

CX2 Secures $31M Series A Funding

Defense tech startup CX2, co-founded by Nathan Mintz and Porter Smith, announced a $31M Series A funding round in May 2023. The round was led by Point72 Ventures, with participation from new investors like Upfront Ventures, Pax Ventures, and 201 Ventures, as well as existing investors Andreessen Horowitz and 8VC. CX2 focuses on electronic warfare systems, aligning with the evolving nature of warfare, as seen in the Ukraine conflict.

Axios

May 22nd, 2025

CX2 raises $31M for electronic warfare

Electronic warfare startup CX2 has raised $31 million in a Series A round led by Point72 Ventures, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and Pax Ventures. The funding will help CX2 hire more staff and accelerate the development of its electronic warfare tools. CEO Nathan Mintz highlighted the importance of mastering the electromagnetic spectrum, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict. CX2 works with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division and builds software and hardware for electronic warfare.

Forbes

Jun 7th, 2024

A Secret ‘Electronic Warfare’ Startup Is Raising $15 Million From A16z And 8VC

CX2, which is still in stealth, is being led by serial entrepreneur Nathan Mintz, who co-founded the counter-drone unicorn Epirus.

CX2

Radio Frequency Hardware Engineer

About the job