Staff Hardware Engineer, Radio Frequency Mountain View, CA Job at CARIAD Inc in

Staff Hardware Engineer, Radio Frequency

Mountain View, CA

We areCARIAD, an automotive software development team with the Volkswagen Group.

Our mission is to make the automotive experience safer, more sustainable, more comfortable, more digital, and more fun.

To achieve that we are building the leading tech stack for the automotive industry and creating a unified software platform for over 10 million new vehicles per year.

We’re looking for talented, digital minds like you to help us create code that moves the world.

Together with you, we’ll build outstanding digital experiences and products for all Volkswagen Group brands that will transform mobility.

Join us as we shape the future of the car and everyone around it.

Role Summary:

The Staff Hardware Engineer, Radio Frequency is responsible for the development, testing, and optimization of RF systems and circuits within CARIAD’s Hardware Platform Development team.

This role requires expertise in RF design, antenna tuning, EMI/EMC mitigation, and system integration to ensure high-performance wireless communication and signal integrity in hardware products.

Role Responsibilities:

RF Design & Development

• Design, simulate, and optimize RF circuits, antennas, and transmission lines for high-frequency applications.
• Select, tune, and integrate antennas to ensure optimal wireless performance and signal integrity in hardware designs.
  
  Supports PCB design for RF applications, ensuring best practices for high-frequency layout.
• Develops RF system architectures, considering noise reduction, impedance matching, and power efficiency for reliable signal transmission
• Assists in supplier evaluation and selection of RF components, based on manufacturability and compliance with industry standards.
• Collaborates with hardware engineers and firmware developers to integrate RF functionality into system designs

Testing & Validation

• Conducts RF measurements and performance evaluations using network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators to verify circuit functionality
• Diagnoses and troubleshoots RF-related hardware issues, including signal integrity and interference challenges.
• Supports EMI/EMC compliance testing and mitigation, ensuring products meet regulatory standards (FCC, CE, etc.).
• Develops and executes RF test plans, ensuring system reliability under various real-world operating conditions.
• Documents design decisions, test results, and RF performance reports, maintaining engineering best practices

General Skills:

• Analytical and conceptual thinking
• Experience in developing strategies for R&D
• Communication skills - interpersonal, presentation and written
• Integration - joining people, processes or systems
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Strategic/visionary minded

Required Specialized Skills:

• Proficiency in using RF test equipment (e.g., network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators)
• Strong understanding of RF circuit design, impedance matching, and transmission line theory
• Experience in PCB design for RF applications, including layout best practices for high-frequency circuits
• Familiarity with wireless communication standards (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, 5G).
• Knowledge of EMI/EMC mitigation techniques for RF systems.
  
  Knowledge of embedded system software architecture, real-time operating systems, and web framework components and its interfaces
• Knowledge of connected HPC software components and its peripherals
• Knowledge of connected vehicle infotainment and communication software systems.
• Programming languages C, C++, Java, HTML5, and script languages

Desired Skills:

• Experience with RF simulation tools (e.g., ADS, HFSS, CST, or similar)
• Knowledge of low-noise amplifiers (LNA), power amplifiers (PA), and RF filters
• Experience in automated RF testing and scripting (Python, MATLAB)
• Background in automotive, aerospace, or IoT RF applications

Workplace Flexibility:

• Travel to worldwide locations required, up to 20%

Years of Relevant Experience:

• 8+ years of radio frequency (RF) design, testing, and validation experience

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field

Desired Education:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field

Compensation

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, credentials or certifications, industry-based experience, qualification and training.

In the city of Mountain View, California, the salary range for this position is $194,670- $282,735.

CARIAD, Inc.

provides performance based merits and annual bonus along with a competitive benefits package.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k with employer match and defined contribution plan, short and long term disability, basic life and AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment plans, maternity and non-primary caregiver leave, adoption assistance, employee referral program and vacation and paid holidays.

We also offer a unique vehicle lease program that covers registration and insurance fees.

CARIAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationalorigin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

Employment with CARIAD Inc.

is subject to export control and sanctions compliance.

Some positions may involve access to technology and/or software source code subject to U.S. legal restrictions on release to certain foreign persons based on citizenship or permanent residence.

To ensure compliance, applicants will be required to provide information for screening.

Employment may be contingent on the outcome, including verification of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, or confirmation that a license, exemption, or exception applies.

CARIAD retains the discretion to decline to obtain a required license in any case.

By applying, you acknowledge and agree to participate in this process.