Staff RF Engineer

ABOUT US

At RADAR, we're transforming the way the world thinks about physical retail. RADAR has raised over $104M from top investors, retailers, and strategics and works with some of the world's top billion-dollar global retailers. We’re building the future of in-store experience where every product and every person can be precisely located in real time.

Our platform combines RFID and AI to unlock hyper-accurate product visibility and automation at scale. From real-time inventory tracking to seamless checkout experiences, our technology empowers some of the world’s largest retailers to streamline operations, reduce loss, and elevate both employee and customer experiences.

We’re a fast-growing, mission-driven startup where bold ideas, collaboration, and impact are at the core of everything we do. Join us as we reshape the physical world with digital precision, starting with retail and expanding far beyond!

ABOUT THE JOB

RADAR is searching for a high energy individual who thrives working in a small business environment in the high-tech industry. As a RF Engineer, you will take overall responsibility for the specification, design and testing of RFID Readers, based on a discrete 900MHz FPGA-based design including ADC, DAC, RF synthesizer, power amplifier, LNA, power sensor, phase shifter and echo canceller. You will be the central point of contact to the RF team for Software, QA, Hardware, Antenna, FPGA Engineering and Operations.  As such, you will be required to collaborate cross functionally in order to evaluate, debug and optimize overall system performance. Successful candidates must be self-directed with the ability to handle and complete multiple tasks of varying complexity with minimal supervision in a timely manner.

This position can be based out of our San Diego or Sunnyvale office.

Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of RF aspects of RFID Readers with RF circuits up to 1GHz. These are phased array radios with multiple antennas.
• Collaborate with Software, QA, Hardware, Antenna, FPGA Engineering teams to define radio requirements based on system-level requirements.
• Design RF transceiver and debug RF performance.
• Select components, including power amplifiers, LNAs, circulators, filters and discrete components. Partner with Operations to consider pricing and availability.
• Simulate critical circuit performance.
• Devise and work with Software and Automation Engineers to implement RF validation tests.
• Debug and optimize conducted RF and overall system performance.
• Full characterization of design, create and publish full Design Verification Test (DVT) report. 
• Work with Compliance Engineer to guide product through regulatory testing at external labs.
• Work with Operations to develop manufacturing test plan.

ABOUT YOU

Required:

• You have a B.S. (M.S. preferred) in Electrical Engineering or relevant field.
• you have 7+ years of experience in RF design.
• You are an expert mastery of wireless communications principles and RF electronics fundamentals.
• You are able to design, test and debug complex discrete RF circuits using RF lineup analysis. 
• You are knowledgeable of digital communication schemes such as BPSK, QPSK, GMSK, PCM/FM, etc.
• You have extensive experience with phase locked loops (PLL), low noise amplifiers (LNA), power amplifiers (PA), antennas and other communication circuitry.
• You have expert understanding of the concepts of EVM, IP3, NF, P1dB, SNR, etc.
• You are proficient with conducting design reviews of circuits and systems at all phases of design.
• You have experience with RF lab equipment, including spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, oscilloscope, power meter, etc.
• You are familiar with RF simulation tools such as Microwave Office and VSS. Ideal candidate will also have experience with OrCAD and PADS.
• You have good communication skills, both verbal and written.

Research has shown that women & underrepresented minorities are more likely to read lists of requirements and consider themselves unqualified if they don't meet every single one. This list represents what we're ideally looking for, but everyone has unique strengths & weaknesses, and we hire for strength & potential, not lack of weakness.

At RADAR, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The expected base salary range for this position is USD $180,000.00 - $265,000.00. Individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors,  including job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. You will also be eligible to receive other benefits including: equity, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, life and disability benefits, 401k plan,  flexible time off, and paid parental leave. The pay range listed for this position is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting.

Use of artificial intelligence or a LLM such as ChatGPT during the interview process will be grounds for rejection of your application process.

CULTURE SNAPSHOT

Mission-Driven: We're transforming retail with cutting-edge technology and building something that truly matters.

Collaborative Team: We thrive on curiosity, shared goals, and solving complex problems together.

High Impact: You’ll make meaningful contributions from day one and help shape the future of our product and company.

Clear Communication: We value honesty, humility, and respectful dialogue—everyone’s voice matters.

Balanced Lives: We work hard, but not at the expense of well-being. We respect time, boundaries, and life outside of work.

Diverse Perspectives: We believe better ideas come from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints.

Empathy-Driven Design: We build with deep respect for our end users, listening closely to their feedback and needs.