What is RF Hardware Engineer?
Are you eager to begin your new role as a freelance RF hardware engineer? With Field Engineer you can access the best freelance job opportunities, market your skillset and interface with clients from all over the world.
What is the Job Description?
An RF hardware engineer specializes in the design and use of devices which produce or rely on radio band signals. Considered to be a specialist area of electrical and electronic engineering, an RF hardware engineer job description often includes a wide scope of tasks. A radio-frequency hardware engineer may design antenna systems or coupling and transmission line structures, for example, as well as using these designs to create a range of devices, such as mixers, amplifiers, and oscillators.
There are a large variety of products and devices which use RF hardware, so there is scope for further specialism when working as a freelance RF hardware engineer, depending on what your strengths and interests might be. You may want to specialize in the design of cutting-edge RF technology, for example, or deliver thorough installation services or offer clients on-going maintenance support.
With numerous companies and organizations requiring the specialist services of an RF hardware engineer, your role as a freelance engineer can be as varied as you choose to make it.
What are the Responsibilities of an RF Drive Tester?
RF hardware engineer responsibilities will change, depending on the specific project you’re working on. As a freelance RF hardware specialist, you will have the opportunity to take on varying roles and projects, so your responsibilities may vary accordingly.
If you’re in charge of designing new RF technology, you may be managing a team of electrical engineers and taking overall responsibility for the creation of a new piece of RF hardware. Alternatively, the installation of new RF hardware may include the responsibility of ensuring the installation is carried out in accordance with state legislation and in line with the company’s needs.
Ultimately, RF hardware engineers take on the responsibility for ensuring they meet critical project objectives, which may include:
- Delivering RF transmission line structures without the use of radiation
- Creation of antenna systems in order to provide coverage in a specific location
- Testing of RF hardware and devices
- Installation of emergency power back-ups to facilitate on-going transmitter functionality
What Education is Required for RF Hardware Engineer Jobs?
The starting point for a career as an RF hardware engineer is usually a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
However, undergraduate degrees in telecommunications engineering, computer engineering or computer science may provide the basis for a future career in the RF hardware industry.
What Skills do You Require?
Practical work experience is incredibly important in securing RF hardware engineer freelance jobs.
As well as obtaining licensure as a Professional Engineer, you may wish to undertake further courses to obtain certification, such as the CISCO RF or the IEEE Wireless Communication Engineering Technologies Certification. With a solid undergraduate degree, appropriate licenses and advanced certification, you will have the skills, the qualifications and the reputation to work with the biggest clients in the RF hardware industry.
We recommend you to read RF Optimization Engineer further for an interesting career opportunity.
What Salary Can You Expect?
An RF hardware engineer salary can vary from anywhere between $50-124,000, but the average salary for an RF hardware engineer is around $83,000.
When working as a freelance RF hardware engineer, however, you can increase your income significantly. With the opportunity to take on projects which offer a strong financial incentive, you can use your specialist skills to attract the highest rates of pay as a freelancer.
What is the Job Outlook for an RF Hardware Engineer?
As RF hardware engineering is considered a highly-specialized area, your services and expertise are in high demand. Businesses, corporations, and even governmental organizations have a consistent need for RF engineers, and working as a freelancer ensures you’re able to take your pick from top-name clients.
As well as enjoying the freedom to work when and where you choose, and applying your RF hardware engineer skills to the most exciting of projects, working as a freelance engineer allows you to build your reputation in the industry and make a name for yourself as a leading RF hardware specialist.
Freelance marketplace like Field Engineer makes it easy to find RF hardware engineer freelance jobs, so you won’t have to worry about sourcing clients. With a secure, easy-to-use platform, you can see which clients need your expertise, discuss projects with them and accept the jobs you want, whenever you want to. To see just how in-demand RF hardware engineers are, sign up with Field Engineer now!