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Radio Frequency Engineer

Overview and Key Facts

Engineers at computer
Education
Education
Bachelor's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$127,590
Job Growth
Job Growth
6.20%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
101,800

What Do They Do?

A radio frequency engineer could...

 
Cellular tower with overlay graphics showing waves emmanating from tower
Recommend the best location for a new antenna to be constructed in order to triple the number of wireless devices that can be supported.
Dog and owner
Reunite lost pets and their owners by creating microchips to be surgically implanted and store owner contact information.
Runners
Develop radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that runners can use to automatically post their times when they are running in a race.
Video chat
Help friends and family communicate clearly by analyzing and improving the quality of video streaming on wireless devices.
 
Cellular tower with overlay graphics showing waves emmanating from tower Dog and owner Runners Video chat

Overview Listen to this section

Radio frequency engineers help make sure that information gets from one place to another. This information is transmitted wirelessly as radio waves between electronic devices. Anything you can wirelessly send from one computer to another, listen to on the radio, download on a mobile phone, or see on the television (not connected to cable) is sent wirelessly using radio waves, and the transmission and devices were designed by a radio frequency engineer. Radio frequency engineers are typically electrical engineers who decided to specialize in radio frequency engineering.
Watch this video to find out how professionals in the Wireless Networking & Communications Group at The University of Texas, Austin, are overcoming problems associated with wireless traffic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKI04bFkSlU

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Radio Frequency Engineer?


  1. Critical Thinking: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Speaking: ?
  4. Reading Comprehension: ?
  5. Judgment and Decision Making: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Radio Frequency Engineer might do:
  • Identify operational requirements for new systems to inform selection of technological solutions.
  • Integrate tags, readers, or software in radio frequency identification device (RFID) designs.
  • Perform systems analysis or programming of radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology.
  • Test radio frequency identification device (RFID) software to ensure proper functioning.
  • Perform site analyses to determine system configurations, processes to be impacted, or on-site obstacles to technology implementation.
  • Select appropriate radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags and determine placement locations.
  • Determine means of integrating radio frequency identification device (RFID) into other applications.
  • Perform acceptance testing on newly installed or updated systems.
  • Collect data about existing client hardware, software, networking, or key business processes to inform implementation of radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology.
  • Provide technical support for radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology.
  • Install, test, or maintain radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems.
  • Test tags or labels to ensure readability.
  • Determine usefulness of new radio frequency identification device (RFID) technologies.
  • Verify compliance of developed applications with architectural standards and established practices.
  • Train users in details of system operation.
  • Develop process flows, work instructions, or standard operating procedures for radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems.
  • Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, or talk with colleagues to stay abreast of industry research about new technologies.
  • Document equipment or process details of radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology.
  • Define and compare possible radio frequency identification device (RFID) solutions to inform selection for specific projects.
  • Create simulations or models of radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems to provide information for selection and configuration.
  • Analyze radio frequency identification device (RFID)-related supply chain data.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

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Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Radio Frequency Engineer Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Radio Frequency Engineer jobs (6.20%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Radio Frequency Engineer

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

To become a radio frequency engineer, it is important to have a background in electrical engineering. Radio frequency engineers typically enter the field with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and then specialize in radio frequency engineering. The engineer can specialize by pursing more advanced degrees, by becoming licensed, and/or through gaining professional work experience. Continuing education to keep current with rapidly changing technology is important for radio frequency engineers.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Bachelor's degree ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related discipline, such as computer science or telecommunications, is typically required for all entry-level radio frequency engineering jobs. However, sometimes professional work experience can be used as a substitute for a degree in the field. This background (either having a degree or the work experience) should make the person familiar with using different computer operating systems, using electronics- and math-related software to analyze data and solve problems, and understanding devices and equipment involved in wireless communications.

An electrical engineer may spend two years on the job learning a company's products, design procedures, and specific software before specializing in radio frequency engineering. Being licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) is often encouraged, but not always required to work as a radio frequency engineer.

Companies That Hire Radio Frequency Engineers

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Meet Sunali Chokshi, a design engineer who works with Radio Frequency components in software used for communications satellites at Space Systems/Loral (SSL).
I am very lucky in that every day I get to come into my lab, and in the next room over, a giant satellite is being built. That is not something you see in most jobs. 
Sunali Chokshi, RF Antenna Design Engineer
Meet electrical and electronics engineer Vince Reinhardt, who develops electronics equipment for entertainment and communications at Motorola, Inc.
I make and draw electronics equipment that gets built in large quantities to be used for entertainment and communication all over the world. Hopefully at the end of the day I make someone's life a little brighter, happier, and easier. 
Vince Reinhardt, Electrical Enginer
J. C. Chiao, a professor of electrical engineering at The University of Texas, Arlington, shares upcoming breakthroughs he thinks will arise from wireless technology.
...[W]ireless device[s] untether the patient from instruments making it possible to monitor patients 24 hours a day 7 days a week, making the patient feel comfortable and mobile and letting the patient resume normal daily life. 
Dr. J. C. Chiao, Professor, Electrical Engineering

Nature of the Work

Radio frequency engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment and software involved in communications that use radio waves. This primarily includes mobile phones, anything that uses Wi-Fi (such as wireless computers and tablets), and radios. To carry out these duties, radio frequency engineers may need to use relevant engineering and computer skills to do computer programming, solve mathematical problems, and create 3D designs.

Radio frequency engineers are responsible for a wide range of wireless communications and networking technologies, from evaluating wireless local area networks (LANs) and developing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system-based devices, to using the global positioning system (GPS), a satellite navigation system based in space that can continuously provide the location of, for example, a vehicle. Radio frequency engineers not only design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of software and devices related to these technologies, but these engineers may also do extensive field work to determine exactly where equipment should be placed and how it should be set up for optimal use.

Work Environment

Radio frequency engineers normally work in offices, laboratories, or industrial plants. Some engineers travel to plants or work sites, both here and abroad. Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring engineers to work longer hours.

More Information

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