Systems Test Engineer

Job Title: Systems Test Engineer

Job Description: This role focuses on end-to-end system verification for professional wireless microphone systems, ensuring exceptional RF performance, audio quality, and overall product reliability in demanding real-world environments. You will design and execute comprehensive test strategies that mirror live sound, touring, broadcast, theater, and corporate AV workflows, acting as a key quality champion and voice of the customer throughout the product development lifecycle.

Responsibilities: Plan and execute comprehensive end-to-end testing for professional wireless microphone systems, including transmitterreceiver pairs, RF links, audio paths, DSP features, network and control interfaces, and the broader ecosystem. Own product quality by acting as a quality champion and voice of the customer throughout development, proactively identifying, isolating, documenting, and tracking defects using logs, RF spectrum captures, and audio recordings as evidence. Advocate for timely resolution of quality issues by clearly articulating customer impact, prioritizing critical defects, and ensuring issues are resolved before product release. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Hardware, Firmware, Software, RF Systems, Audio/DSP Engineering, Product Management, and Customer Support, to drive resolution of complex system-level issues. Rigorously test RF wireless performance in dense RF environments, performing spectrum scanning, frequency coordination, intermodulation analysis, and interference simulations to verify system resilience and coexistence with other wireless devices. Validate transmitter and receiver operation across diverse frequency bands, power levels, and regional regulations, including wide-tuning ranges and High Density modes where applicable. Conduct range testing and evaluate multipath and dropout scenarios, as well as diversity and Quadversity performance, to ensure stable signal coverage for large-scale events. Validate DSP algorithms and processing chains, including gain structure, equalization, limiter and compressor behavior, encryption, tone and key signals for squelch switching, and monitoring features to ensure correct operation and transparent audio performance. Validate integration of professional wireless systems within networked audio and control ecosystems, including digital audio over IP and network-based monitoring and control. Test network-enabled features such as digital audio transport (including AES67), network control and monitoring via software applications and mobile apps, and remote control features to ensure reliable connectivity, device discovery, firmware updates over the network, and robust remote monitoring and control. Simulate multi-system and multi-channel deployments to verify scalability, interoperability across multiple receivers and transmitters, and stable performance under heavy load and challenging network conditions. Troubleshoot RF, audio, and network issues by analyzing logs, RF spectra, and audio recordings, and provide clear documentation and feedback into the development and quality processes. Essential SkillsStrong knowledge of UHF RF principles, wireless microphone systems, frequency coordination, spectrum management, TV band planning, intermodulation, and wireless deployment best practices. Hands-on experience testing wireless transmitters, receivers, battery systems, RF performance, range, diversity systems, and antenna distribution, including diagnosing RF issues such as interference, multipath, and dropouts. Expertise in digital wireless audio systems, including digital modulation, error correction, latency analysis, dropout recovery, audio quality validation, and AES-256 encryption verification. Experience with networked audio and device management, including digital audio networking technologies such as AES67, QoS, device synchronization, remote configuration, firmware updates, and troubleshooting Ethernet/TCP/IP-based audio networks. Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Wireless Communications, Music Technology, or a related field.10+ years of experience in system verification, quality assurance, hardware testing, software testing, or related disciplines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications: Masters degree in a relevant engineering or technology discipline is a plus. Experience in professional audio, wireless systems, RF electronics, or similar industries is strongly preferred. Direct experience with professional wireless audio systems and RF products is highly desirable.

Work Environment: This is an onsite role based at a facility located in the Skokie area, operating five days per week. You will work in a professional engineering and lab environment focused on professional wireless audio systems, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary hardware, firmware, software, RF, and audio/DSP teams. The setting includes access to RF test equipment, audio measurement tools, and networked audio infrastructure to support comprehensive system verification and validation activities.

Job Type & Location: This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Niles, IL.

Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $54.00 - $85.00/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 TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Niles, IL.Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 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 Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.