Test Engineer

Job Title

Test Engineer

Classification

Exempt

Reports to

Chief Engineer

Date

January 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Test Engineer you will work as part of the engineering team to test cutting edge antenna prototypes and products.  The ability to design and review data for automated tests is a critical aspect of this position that will aid in the transition of prototypes to full production.  Test automation will be performed using the Python programming language paired with off the shelf equipment and custom hardware as needed.  You will analyze collected data and provide recommendations, helping your team seek out and eliminate flaws in design and manufacturing.  You will also have a key role in reviewing the flow and planned artifacts of production test procedures to ensure that tests are performed in logical sequence and address the correct performance and process metrics. While this is not a product design position, creativity and critical thinking are required to implement effective testing in an advanced technology environment with rapid transition to efficient manufacturing. FIRST RF’s product line includes passive antennas, phased-array systems and active antennas used in advanced radar and communications systems.  FIRST RF produces antennas for both government and commercial customers.

Our environment provides endless opportunities for personal and professional growth for those who strive for it.  FIRST RF offers all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flex scheduling, tuition reimbursement, 6% 401k match, and a no-monthly-premium healthcare option. FIRST RF is an equal employment opportunity employer.

What You Can Expect

• A fast-paced cross-disciplinary environment that requires excellent communication skills and a strong desire to take an active role in a team
• Mentors and peers you can seek out to tackle problems cooperatively
• Team members who will challenge you – and an expectation that you will challenge them
• Work given to you in areas you have never studied or experienced; we need you to be open and eager to develop skills in new areas
• A workplace where you will always have the tools you need to get the job done
• To get your hands dirty working with teams testing FIRST RF products

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office and laboratory environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and photocopiers, as well as specialized test equipment such as vector network analyzers, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift lab equipment, open cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position at 40 hours per week.  Typical office hours include Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, however these hours will vary based on workload and the manager’s discretion.  This job may require more than 40 hours of work per week as the need arises.

Travel

Travel as required to test labs, on-site integration, and customer demonstrations.  No international travel is anticipated.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time based on business needs.

About FIRST RF

FIRST RF is a fast-growing, multi-discipline, privately owned small business focused on engineering and manufacturing of advanced technologies - specifically in antennas and radio frequency (RF) systems. We are an energetic team empowered with world-class facilities and resources. We promote a culture which prioritizes innovation and responsiveness.  By making bold investments in the development of groundbreaking technologies, FIRST RF has fielded award-winning products ranging from revolutionary passive antennas to highly complex, active antenna systems.

We offer all employees four weeks of PTO each year, flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement, up to 6% 401k match, and 100% employer-paid healthcare, dental and vision plans.

AAP/EEO Statement

We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors

Required Education and Experience

• Must have US Citizenship and ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Math disciplines or equivalent
• Experience with aerospace test methods in MIL-STD-810, DO-160, or NASA-STD-7001
• Experience designing test plans and procedures based on higher-level product specifications
• Writing, analyzing, and reporting the results from automated tests
• Ability to evaluate preliminary data in near real-time to ensure tests are producing expected/valid results
• Experience programing with a scripting language such as Python
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams
• Experience in testing devices and hardware that operate at radio frequencies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey findings and possible solutions to peers, management, and customers
• Participation in requirement and design reviews 
• A desire to find, explore, and solve new and challenging problems, including recommending improvements to test methods and procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Comfortable in a lab environment
• A resiliency to fail fast and often

Preferred Education and Experience

• 2-4 years industry experience in aerospace product testing
• Experience with electronic standards testing, including MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-461, DO-178, and DO-254
• Test automation using test equipment including power supplies, digital multi-meters, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, RF spectrum analyzers, and thermal chambers
• Past experience with reading mechanical drawings
• Prior experience with antenna testing, including radiation pattern measurements in near- and far-field chambers