Product Compliance and Certification Specialist — RF/EMC

Product Compliance and Certification Specialist - RF/EMC

Location: Rochester, NY Department: Engineering FLSA Status: To be determined

Vanteon, a Performance Drone Works (PDW) Company, develops wireless, RF, and embedded technology for demanding applications. Our engineers work across hardware, software, firmware, and FPGA design to bring complex systems from concept through implementation and verification.

We are seeking a Product Compliance and Certification Specialist to guide electronic and wireless products from prototype through regulatory approval and production release. You will identify applicable requirements, plan testing, coordinate certification activities, and work with engineers to resolve compliance issues. This role combines hands-on RF and electromagnetic compatibility testing with ownership of documentation, laboratory relationships, and ongoing product compliance.

The ideal candidate has successfully guided multiple products through approval and understands how design decisions, manufacturing changes, and test operations affect compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

What You'll Do

• Identify applicable product and market requirements for FCC equipment authorization, CE marking, UL or other applicable safety certifications, and RoHS compliance.
• Develop compliance plans, test schedules, budgets, and approval milestones for customer programs and internal products.
• Review designs early in development and translate regulatory requirements into actionable engineering requirements.
• Plan and perform RF and EMC pre-compliance testing to identify risks before formal laboratory testing.
• Coordinate accredited laboratories, certification bodies, safety organizations, and other external partners.
• Prepare test samples, configurations, operating modes, firmware requirements, and supporting documentation.
• Review test results and work with hardware, RF, firmware, and mechanical engineers to diagnose failures and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate certification submissions and prepare technical files, declarations, labeling information, and required user-documentation content.
• Maintain compliance evidence, including supplier declarations, component documentation, and applicable exemption records.
• Evaluate product changes to determine whether additional testing, documentation updates, or approval changes are needed.
• Support manufacturing compliance through component traceability, configuration control, production testing, and applicable certification-body inspections.
• Identify and coordinate requirements affecting RF development and test operations, including applicable experimental authorizations and operating restrictions.
• Support test-equipment calibration, measurement procedures, and test-site documentation; coordinate accreditation activities where applicable.
• Maintain organized compliance records and communicate approval status, technical risks, costs, and schedule impacts.
• Support testing Vanteon ad PDW radio products, including test planning, execution, troubleshooting, and documentation of results.
• Author technical documentation for Vanteon and PDW radio products, including test plans, procedures, reports, and other required documentation.
• Monitor relevant regulatory and standards changes and explain their implications to engineering and management.
• Help establish repeatable compliance practices across projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent technical education and substantial relevant experience will also be considered.
• Five or more years of experience in electronic product compliance, RF/EMC testing, certification, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience guiding multiple electronic or wireless products from prototype through formal testing, applicable approvals, and production release.
• Strong working knowledge of FCC equipment authorization and European conformity assessment for electronic and radio products.
• Experience coordinating product safety evaluations with UL or another recognized testing and certification organization.
• Working knowledge of RoHS requirements and the documentation used to demonstrate materials compliance.
• Ability to interpret regulations and technical standards and determine their applicability to a product and its intended markets.
• Hands-on experience with RF or EMC measurements, test configurations, and failure investigation.
• Experience using spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, and related laboratory equipment.
• Ability to review schematics, block diagrams, component specifications, and product configurations.
• Experience preparing or maintaining test reports, certification submissions, technical files, and compliance records.
• Ability to manage external laboratories and multiple approval activities while tracking costs, schedules, and corrective actions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written communication, and verbal communication skills.
• Eligibility to access the controlled data required for assigned projects, as described below.

Preferred

• Experience with wireless products, software-defined radios, embedded systems, or RF modules.
• Familiarity with FCC Part 15 and other FCC rule parts applicable to the products being developed.
• Experience with the EU Radio Equipment Directive and applicable EMC and electrical safety requirements.
• Experience evaluating RF exposure requirements and coordinating the necessary assessments.
• Experience with modular radio approvals, antenna changes, and host-product integration requirements.
• Familiarity with Canadian ISED requirements or other international market approvals.
• Experience with UL manufacturing-site inspections, production controls, and certification maintenance.
• Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025, laboratory accreditation, test-site validation, and calibration practices.
• Experience managing FCC experimental authorizations or RF development and field-test activities.
• Experience establishing internal pre-compliance capabilities and automated test procedures.
• Relevant EMC, product safety, laboratory quality, or auditing training.

Physical Requirements

This position involves extended periods working at a computer and performing laboratory development and testing. Duties may require sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and handling electronic hardware and test equipment. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

This role works closely with engineers in an office and electronics laboratory environment and may support manufacturing and external laboratory activities.

Our preference is for a candidate who can work regularly from our Rochester, NY office, with flexibility to work from home as project activities allow. Test setup, measurements, troubleshooting, and inspection support will require onsite participation.

Travel to external laboratories, customer locations, or manufacturing facilities may be required. Occasional work outside normal business hours may be necessary to support testing schedules and project milestones.

ITAR and CUI Requirement

This position requires access to export-controlled technical data and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Candidates must be U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible to access the specific ITAR-controlled data and CUI required for assigned projects without additional authorization.

Benefits

Vanteon offers a flexible work environment and diverse projects spanning defense, commercial, and green technologies for companies large and small. Employees can expand their skills through cross-training, education benefits, and a mentoring program that connects them with senior staff and provides opportunities to mentor junior engineers and co-op students. Employee-sponsored events create opportunities to connect beyond project work.

Vanteon values our team, and we offer a compensation package reflective of your experience and capabilities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive BCBS medical, dental, and vision coverage; 80% sponsored by the company.
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with company match.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Employer-provided life insurance.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• On-site gym.
• Competitive salary, generous paid time off (PTO), and flexible leave options.

EEO Statement

Vanteon is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation

This position will have an annual salary, equity, and benefits. The salary range provided is a guideline rather than a fixed limit. Individual pay is determined by factors including geography, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

The pay range for this role is: 110,000–150,000 USD per year (ROC)

Due to contractual requirements, if hired you will be required to pass both a background and drug screening.