CX2, Inc.

RF Hardware Engineer

Posted One Month Ago

Be an Early Applicant

El Segundo, CA, USA

In-Office

160K-200K Annually

Mid level

Aerospace • Hardware • Software • Defense

The Role

The RF Hardware Engineer designs, tests, and builds RF systems for communications and RADAR, ensuring integration and validation of antennas and RF front ends while supporting critical test events and maintaining documentation throughout the process.

Summary Generated by Built In

CX2 is a next-generation defense technology company founded to deliver spectrum dominance for the United States and our allies. CX2’s AI-enabled hardware and software platforms detect, disrupt and defend the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air, sea and space domains.

CX2 is seeking a skilled RF Hardware Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have experience in designing, testing and building RF Systems (Tx / Rx) for RF signals (ex. communications, RADAR, navigation) UHF through X-Band.

This role requires an onsite presence in our El Segundo, CA HQ; a remote work environment is not considered for this opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Design, validate & deliver RF payload subsystems: Design, Integration and Testing of Antennas, RF front ends, SDRs and provide validation of operation. Support development and analysis of RF performance metrics.
Own requirements, ICDs, and verification from concept through delivery
Stay current: Track and insert advances in relevant technologies, SDRs, RF Systems, RF machine learning, and PNT.

Qualifications

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Antenna and receiver design across analog/RF/mixed-signal domains: mixers, PLLs/LOs, gain/linearity/noise trades; ability to turn simulations into reality.
Channelizers & wideband architectures: filter banks, analog/digital down conversion, sample-rate planning, clocking/synchronization.
Willingness to support critical test events that occasionally require extended hours/weekends
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Must be a U.S. Person (see ITAR Regulations below) due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities

Bonus Points

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
5+ years’ experience with EW subsystems and payloads
EA/ECM technique design (deception, Digital RF Memory, coherent/non-coherent techniques)
Digital Signal processing: Design characterize and deliver channelizers, wideband detection/classification, MIMO/digital-arrays, and algorithms in MATLAB/Python/C++
Communication / Waveform system design
RF machine learning for emitter ID, modulation/classification, anomaly detection, PDW creation
Tools Experience: ADS/AWR/SystemVue, MATLAB/Simulink, Python (NumPy/SciPy), GNU Radio/SDR (USRP/RFSoC), VITA-49; HDL/firmware experience; also helpful (Vivado/Quartus/Libero).
Clearance: Active Secret or ability to obtain and maintain; TS/SCI eligibility preferred. ITAR/EAR-controlled work. Learn more about Security Clearances here.
Field work: supporting periodic travel for flight tests and customer demonstrations/support
Mindset: Builder-tester who loves first-principles RF, rapid lab iteration, and getting hardware flying fast

What We Offer

Competitive salary, stock options and benefits, including health, vision and dental.
401K enrollment at 90 days.
Generous PTO + most Federal Holidays observed.
Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Access to the latest tools and technologies.
High levels of responsibility and autonomy.
Professional growth and development opportunities.
Access to the hardest problems in electronic warfare.

ITAR Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a US Citizen, Green Card holder, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

CX2 is a next-generation defense technology company securing spectrum dominance for the United States and its allies. We build AI-enabled hardware and software platforms to detect, disrupt, and defend the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air, sea, and space. Our systems are deployed in the most contested operational environments in the world. We’re backed by leading venture investors in the defense ecosystem and led by founders with track records at Meta, SpaceX, Epirus, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CX2 is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in compliance with the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

To view CX2's privacy policy, please visit: https://www.cx2.com/privacy

Skills Required

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
Experience in RF hardware design, including antennas and receivers
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Willingness to support critical test events during extended hours/weekends

CX2, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CX2, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by CX2, Inc..

Equity Value & Accessibility — Job postings consistently include stock options alongside base salary, signaling accessible ownership participation for new hires. This indicates equity is a standard component of offers at the company’s current stage.
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Listings describe generous PTO and note that most Federal Holidays are observed, indicating above-baseline time off for a small defense startup. This points to meaningful paid leave even without published accrual counts.
Healthcare Strength — Role descriptions state inclusion of health, vision, and dental insurance, establishing core medical coverage as part of the package. The presence of these coverages signals baseline healthcare support for employees.