RF Test Technician

RF Test Technician (DOD)

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to work as an RF Test Technician within a large, advanced power and control systems facility, supporting mission-critical systems for national defense. You will apply electronics and RF principles to fabricate, test, and troubleshoot complex components, assemblies, devices, circuits, and systems. The position focuses on executing acceptance test procedures, validating equipment performance, and supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies such as directed energy weapons, electromagnetic sensors, and next-generation radar systems.

Responsibilities

• Apply electronics principles in the fabrication, testing, and troubleshooting of complete components, assemblies, devices, circuits, and systems.

• Perform acceptance test procedures that verify equipment functionality and ensure systems meet performance requirements.

• Determine appropriate methods and techniques to monitor various tests and measure electrical performance on complex systems.

• Select, set up, calibrate, and operate complex and specialized test equipment and facilities across a broad spectrum of technologies.

• Verify and validate product configuration, paperwork configuration, test processes, and test equipment/setup configuration and calibration.

• Measure, collect, and record electrical performance data, including analysis and evaluation of data and experimental models to verify reliability and functional validity.

• Prepare accurate and complete test reports that document all recorded data, findings, and conclusions.

• Program and verify devices, ensuring proper functionality and compliance with test requirements.

• Troubleshoot systems, devices, processes, and test setups to locate, isolate, and repair defective areas.

• Assist engineers in creating designs and developing circuits, processes, and operations to ensure proper function of products and test equipment according to design specifications.

• Work from general block diagrams, rough outlines of basic circuits, oral instructions, and schematics, performing necessary calculations to obtain or compare data.

• Develop, construct, and test highly complex components, assemblies, devices, circuits, and systems.

• Develop and construct experimental and prototype devices, models, and systems from very general information, performing repairs and calibrations as necessary.

• Perform initial procedural tests on new or modified equipment and make adjustments or calibrations to achieve desired results.

• Adapt to changing assignments, priorities, and requirements while maintaining high-quality work output.

• Develop processes, test specifications, and revision notices to support evolving product and test requirements.

• Integrate software and hardware by debugging, writing code, and modifying systems as needed.

• Perform maintenance and integration of peripherals and networks used in test and production environments.

• Use RF and electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and other specialized instruments to support testing and troubleshooting.

• Support production and manufacturing processes by ensuring test equipment and procedures are effective, accurate, and reliable for power systems, RF systems, and related aerospace and defense applications.

Essential Skills

• Current active DoD Secret Security Clearance with an investigation date within the last 5 years.

• High School Diploma or GED.

• At least 6 years of relevant experience in the fabrication and test of complex components, assemblies, devices, circuits, and systems.

• Demonstrated experience with electronics principles and their application in test and troubleshooting activities.

• Hands-on experience with electronic and electrical test equipment in a production, manufacturing, or laboratory environment.

• Ability to select, set up, calibrate, and operate complex and specialized test equipment and facilities.

• Strong troubleshooting skills for systems, devices, processes, and test setups to identify and repair defects.

• Experience measuring, collecting, recording, and analyzing electrical performance data.

• Ability to interpret and work from schematics, block diagrams, rough circuit outlines, and oral instructions.

• Capability to develop, construct, and test complex electronic components, assemblies, and systems.

• Experience performing equipment calibration and making adjustments to achieve desired test results.

• Familiarity with RF, electronics, and power systems in a test or production environment.

• Comfort working with test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and other RF and electronic instruments.

• Ability to write accurate, complete test reports and documentation for test processes and results.

• Capability to adapt to changing assignments and requirements in a dynamic environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• RF test experience and/or antenna test or range experience.

• Test development experience in a near-field antenna range environment.

• Experience with electrical and/or RF test equipment beyond basic instruments.

• Experience in automation, manufacturing processes, and production test environments.

• Experience supporting power systems, aerospace, defense, radar, and related electronic applications.

• Familiarity with printed circuit boards (PCBs) and RF or high-frequency circuit testing.

• Experience developing processes, test specifications, and revision documentation.

• Exposure to integration of software and hardware, including debugging and writing code for test or control systems.

• Experience with maintenance and integration of peripherals and networks used in test setups.

• Strong mechanical aptitude to support setup and maintenance of test fixtures and equipment.

• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and production staff.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large, approximately 200,000-square-foot facility in Sykesville, Maryland that includes office space, manufacturing and production floors, research and development laboratories, test cells, and other specialized areas. You will work alongside roughly 200 or more employees in a highly collaborative environment focused on advanced power and electronic control systems for defense applications, including directed energy weapons, electromagnetic sensors, and next-generation radar systems. The setting combines hands-on work in production and test areas with collaboration in office and lab spaces, using a wide range of electronic and RF test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and specialized test cells. The environment emphasizes innovation, precision, and adherence to rigorous test and quality standards, with exposure to both development and production activities

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sykesville, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $52.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sykesville,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.