Research Electrical Engineer I or II, MSD

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

40d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) was formed in 2021 with the aspiration to become the nation’s preeminent academic organization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research, technology, policy, and talent development to advance national security. The Institute grew from the Hume Center, which was launched in 2010 thanks to an endowment from Ted and Karyn Hume. VTNSI is a national leader in advancing security and resilience through innovative and applied research, empowering the next generation of experts, and building strategic alliances to address evolving national security challenges. We bring together exceptional interdisciplinary faculty, unique research infrastructure, and deep partnerships with industry and government sponsors to execute impactful research and development. This is a research and development position based in Blacksburg, Virginia, and is part of the Institute’s Mission Systems Division (MSD). MSD brings together researchers from aerospace and ocean systems engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, computer science, AI/ML, and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges in platforms including satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and drone swarms. This position is for a hands-on electrical engineer who will build and integrate the electrical and RF subsystems that enable the division’s research testbeds. The successful candidate will spend much of their time in the laboratory and in the field: fabricating and assembling hardware, building cables and harnesses, laying out and populating printed circuit boards, producing design drawings, and standing up and maintaining test infrastructure. The candidate will also serve as a hands-on resource for senior researchers across the division who are developing RF hardware, design drawings, and PCB layout. The successful candidate can expect a competitive salary and benefits in a university setting. This role will primarily support the Counter-UAS Test and Research Center and the Space Domain Awareness portfolios.

Requirements

U.S. Citizen
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
Hands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting electrical or RF hardware
Proficiency with the tools germane to the field of research
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing upon research projects
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an adjacent engineering discipline
Ability to lift and move 25 pounds or more of equipment; ability to climb, stoop, bend, squat and traverse on uneven terrain
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an adjacent engineering discipline, or Bachelor’s degree and significant post-degree experience and relevant certifications (Research Engineer II only)
Experience designing, fabricating, integrating, and troubleshooting electrical or RF hardware (Research Engineer II only)
Proficiency with the tools germane to the field of research (Research Engineer II only)

Nice To Haves

Active security clearance
Experience integrating building hardware
Experience with electrical and RF design and simulation tools (e.g. Altium Designer, KiCad, MATLAB, HFSS, CST Microwave Studio.)
Experience supporting laboratory or field test campaigns for aerospace, maritime, or wireless systems
Interest in and some exposure to areas such as: Electrical and RF hardware prototyping: Assembly and soldering (through-hole and surface-mount), cable and harness fabrication, and integration of components into chassis and enclosures.
PCB design and layout: Schematic capture and board layout using tools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle, and working with fabrication and assembly vendors.
Design drawings and documentation: Creating and maintaining electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface control documents, and assembly drawings.
RF measurements and testing: Proficiency with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes, performing measurements like VSWR, return loss, S-parameters, power, and noise figure.
Subsystem integration and test: Integrating COTS and custom hardware, including radios, power systems, sensors, and embedded computers, into testbeds, and troubleshooting at the component, board, and system levels.
Embedded and cyber physical systems: Familiarity with microcontrollers, single-board computers, and common hardware interfaces such as serial, Ethernet, SPI/I2C, and CAN.
Test automation and scripting: Use of Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for instrument control, data collection, and analysis.
Laboratory practices: ESD-safe handling, equipment calibration, electrical and RF safety, and configuration management of hardware and laboratory assets.

Responsibilities

Build, integrate, and test electrical and RF subsystems that enable research testbeds in support of university-sponsored programs
Support researchers across the division with hands-on RF hardware development, design drawings, and PCB layout
Support the development of new funded research programs by participating in proposal teams and supporting the business development activities of the Mission Systems Division
Author technical documentation including design drawings, test procedures, and test reports
Provide guidance to junior engineers/developers and students on research projects (Research Engineer II only)
Provide oversight of junior engineers/developers (Research Engineer II only)