Join K2 Space as an RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer to characterize and validate cutting-edge satellite technology.
Posted by employer 3 days ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 day ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
What you'll build
- Bring up and characterize RF/mmWave silicon
- Develop and execute RF characterization plans
- Measure key RF performance
- Develop automated RF/mmWave test setups
- Support the transition from chip-level RF characterization to product integration
Must have
- 5+ years of RF/mmWave silicon validation
- BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or related field
- Strong understanding of RF transceiver architectures
- Deep hands-on experience with RF/mmWave test equipment
- Strong debugging skills
Nice to have
- Ka-band or higher-frequency mmWave silicon characterization experience
- Experience with wideband RF transceivers
- Experience validating digitally assisted RF circuits
- Familiarity with modulated waveform measurements
- Experience with RF probing and calibration
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer at K2 Space is responsible for bringing up and characterizing advanced RF and mmWave SoCs, ensuring their performance meets design specifications. This role requires expertise in RF transceiver architectures and hands-on experience with various RF test equipment, alongside strong debugging skills. Ideal candidates will have over five years of relevant experience and a background in electrical engineering, particularly in RF validation. K2 Space is a high-growth company focused on innovative satellite technology, making this position suitable for those eager to contribute in a fast-paced environment.
Joblaze insights
- Listed yesterday — first seen on Joblaze September 19, 2026. Last confirmed on K2 Space's careers page September 19, 2026.
- This exact title is also open at 1 other location at K2 Space: Seattle, WA, United States.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 71% of 237 comparable senior other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $150,000 across 54 companies). See Python salary trends
- Python appears in 17.1% of 2139 comparable senior other roles in United States; SoCs appears in 0.2% of 2139 comparable senior other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- K2 Space lists $170,000–$250,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: Python, RF, RFIC, SoCs, mmWave.
- What seniority level is this role?
- K2 Space targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this RF/mmWave Post-Silicon Validation Engineer role at K2 Space.
From the original posting
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.
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!
Standard company text repeated across K2 Space's postings is omitted here.