Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering Intern

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!
Application Deadline:
October 28, 2026
Compensation Details:
Full Pay Range
16.82 - 21.65
Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a part-time hourly position.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
12
Benefit Eligibility Group:
Confirm with the Hiring Manager
Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
The City of Boulder is dedicated to enhancing the safety and quality of life for its residents and visitors. As part of the city's commitment to public safety, we operate a robust communications infrastructure that supports first responders, law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS). Our Public Safety Communications Team designs, maintains, and optimizes mission-critical wireless systems that ensure seamless communication across all public safety agencies.
The City of Boulder is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated RF Engineer Intern to join our Public Safety Communications team. In this role, you will work alongside experienced RF engineers to design, test, and optimize radio communication systems used by Boulder’s first responders and public safety agencies. This internship offers hands-on experience with public safety radio technologies, including systems used for emergency response, disaster management, and day-to-day operations.
This is an especially exciting time to work with the Radio Services team as they bring in a new radio system. The selected candidate will have a rare opportunity to observe the design review process, equipment roll out and cutover plan coordination.
Job Description:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Assist in RF System Design: Work with senior engineers to help design, simulate, and optimize radio frequency (RF) systems for public safety applications, including base stations, repeaters, dispatch center radio consoles and portable/mobile radios. Focus on enhancing communication coverage and reliability throughout the City of Boulder and surrounding areas.
Testing & Validation: Support field and laboratory testing to ensure that radio communication systems meet performance standards and city-specific requirements. Analyze data and provide recommendations to optimize coverage, signal quality, and reliability.
Field Measurements: Assist in performing RF surveys and measurements throughout Boulder to assess system performance in various environments (e.g., urban areas, mountainous terrain, underground facilities). Work on identifying areas with coverage gaps or signal interference.
Troubleshooting & Optimization: Participate in diagnosing RF system issues related to coverage, interference, and equipment failures. Recommend solutions for improving system performance in critical public safety scenarios.
Documentation: Contribute to technical reports and maintain detailed documentation of testing procedures, results, assets and design specifications to ensure accurate records for system maintenance and future upgrades.
System Integration: Assist in integrating RF components and communication equipment into existing infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with Boulder’s public safety systems. Help ensure compliance with industry standards for mission-critical communication.
Collaboration: Work with a cross-functional team that includes hardware, software, and systems engineers. Participate in meetings and contribute ideas for enhancing communication reliability for Boulder’s first responders and public safety teams.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to demonstrate an interest in contributing to public safety and improving communication systems that support first responders.
Ability to demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on optimizing system performance.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with a strong commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.
Knowledge and awareness of public safety communication systems (e.g., P25, TETRA, DMR) or related standards is a plus.
Knowledge and basic understanding of RF principles, including signal propagation, modulation, and antenna design. Amateur radio license is a plus.
Skills at an excellent level in communication, both written and verbal.
Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.
Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with radio systems used by public safety agencies, including repeaters, mobile radios, and base stations. Experience as an end-user in the field is also beneficial.
Prior internship or academic projects related to RF systems, communications infrastructure, or public safety technologies.
Knowledge and familiarity with RF testing equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers.
Current or former public safety Explorer, Cadet or other volunteer is a plus.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Currently pursuing trade skill certifications or degree path in Electrical Engineering, RF Systems, IT Telecommunications, or a related field.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer and office equipment and a variety of test equipment and maintenance tools. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in a maintenance garage and work outdoors on ladders or rooftops. Sufficient hearing ability to make fine discrimination of sounds from radio equipment and ability to discern audio signal quality.
Working Environment: Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. Ability to work inside, as well as outside for extended periods at radio tower sites in a variety of weather conditions
Machines and Equipment Used: Assorted precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, soldering stations, de-soldering tools. Assorted precision test equipment such as communications service monitor, oscilloscope, digital voltmeter, spectrum analyzer, frequency counter, signal