RF Hardware Engineer
at Hark · 1-10 employees
- Location
- San Jose
- Posted
- 5d ago
at Hark · 1-10 employees
Hark is an AI company building advanced personal intelligence through bespoke hardware devices and agentic systems that see, hear, remember, and act on your behalf.
<p><strong>About Hark</strong></p> <p>Hark is an artificial intelligence company building advanced, personalized intelligence. One that is proactive, multimodal, and capable of interacting with the world through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory.</p> <p>We're pairing that intelligence with next-generation hardware to create a universal interface between humans and machines. While today's AI largely operates through chat boxes and decade-old devices, Hark is focused on what comes next: agentic systems that interact naturally with people and the real world.</p> <p>To get there, we're developing multimodal models and next-generation AI hardware together - designed from the ground up as a single, unified interface for a new era of intelligent systems.</p> <p><strong>About the Role</strong></p> <p>We are looking for RF Hardware Engineer to design, integrate, validate, and certify wireless subsystems (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/GNSS, NFC/UWB) in our consumer hardware products. You will own RF performance from architecture through mass production, working cross-functionally with antenna, mechanical, firmware and manufacturing teams, as well as external vendors, test labs, and carriers.</p> <p><strong>Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own RF hardware design for one or more radios: architecture definition, RF front-end line-up design and budget analysis (gain, noise figure, linearity, Tx power), component selection, and schematic/PCB design for optimal RF performance.</li> <li>Review and sign off on PCB/flex layouts, RF routing, impedance control, system-level grounding, shielding, and isolation strategies.</li> <li>Develop and execute validation and characterization test plans: conducted Tx/Rx measurements, OTA performance (TRP/TIS), desense, and multi-radio coexistence; analyze results and drive design optimization.</li> <li>Lead RF failure analysis at system level; identify root cause and propose design or process corrective actions.</li> <li>Assess and mitigate platform-level coexistence and interference issues (radio-to-radio, display/camera/charger noise into radios).</li> <li>Drive factory RF calibration and test station bring-up (SMT and FATP), define test limits, and support yield and correlation analysis from prototype builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) through mass production.</li> <li>Own regulatory and carrier certification: plan and support FCC/ISED/CE (RED), PTCRB/GCF testing, SAR/RF exposure, and carrier acceptance programs (e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon); interface with certification labs and TCBs.</li> <li>Work with component vendors and module/chipset partners on RF front-end development, tuning, and cost/performance trade-offs.</li> <li>Support antenna integration: work with antenna engineers on matching, tuner control, and placement trade-offs; correlate simulation with measured results.</li> <li>Communicate RF status, risks, and data-driven recommendations to cross-functional and executive stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Requirements</strong></p> <ul> <li>BS in Electrical Engineering or related field and 5+ years of RF hardware design experience (or MS and 3+ years).</li> <li>Hands-on design experience with at least one radio technology: cellular (5G NR/LTE), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS, NFC, or UWB.</li> <li>Strong RF fundamentals: transmission lines, impedance matching, RF front-end architecture, link budgets, noise, and linearity.</li> <li>Proficiency with RF lab equipment: vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, communication testers (e.g., Keysight UXM, R&S CMX/CMW), and OTA anechoic chambers.</li> <li>Experience taking a wireless product through at least one full development cycle to mass production.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Bonus Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in RF/microwave or wireless communications.</li> <li>Experience with regulatory and carrier certification processes (FCC, ISED, CE RED, PTCRB/GCF, carrier TA).</li> <li>Experience with RF simulation tools (ADS, HFSS, CST, AWR) and RF line-up modeling.</li> <li>Experience with factory RF calibration/test development and station correlation (SMT and FATP OTA).</li> <li>Test automation and scripting skills (Python, MATLAB, SCPI instrument control).</li> <li>Knowledge of antenna design, tuning, and OTA measurement methods (CTIA test plans).</li> <li>Experience with multi-radio coexistence analysis and mitigation in compact consumer devices.</li> </ul> <p>The US base salary range for this full-time position is between $120,000 - $300,000 annually.</p> <p>The pay offered for this position may vary based on several individual factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include additional components/benefits depending on the specific role. This information will be shared if an employment offer is extended.</p>