Electrical Engineer/Spectrum Engineer (Comm and LMR)

Leidos • Washington, DC

23h

About The Position

Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer (Spectrum Engineer) with specialized experience in Air-to-Ground Communications (A/G) and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group at FAA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Spectrum Engineering Group is responsible for securing, managing, and protecting all civil aviation spectrum resources to ensure interference-free operation of FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems across the National Airspace System (NAS). This role performs engineering and coordinating frequency assignments for Air to Ground Communications (A/G) and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems, ensuring compliance with FAA Order 6050.32 and NTIA Redbook requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or equivalent technical field; completion of a formal spectrum management course or equivalent military experience in spectrum management (e.g., AFSC 3D1X4, MOS 25E) is also acceptable.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency engineering, land mobile radio, wireless communications, or aeronautical communications.
• Working knowledge of RF propagation, channel assignments, and interference analysis.
• Experience assessing system compatibility in congested frequency environments.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations (FSPL, link budgets, noise/interference ratios, power conversions).
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems.
• U.S. citizenship and active Secret (or higher) clearance required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of spectrum-engineering principles, electromagnetic theory, and radio-frequency propagation as applied to communications, navigation, and surveillance systems that support the National Airspace System (NAS).
• Experience in applying analytical and automation tools to perform frequency-assignment processing, data validation, and compatibility analysis, with attention to accuracy and completeness.
• Experience evaluating radio-frequency system parameters to identify and mitigate potential interference and resolving routine and complex spectrum-engineering problems with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of land mobile radio (LMR) systems, analog and digital radio networks, and narrowband operations.
• Exposure to FAA CNS systems, public safety radio, or airport-based RF communications.
• Familiar with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Engineer and coordinate air-to-ground voice communication and land mobile radio (LMR) frequency assignment actions, ensuring that technical analyses and documentation conform to FAA Orders, the NTIA Manual (Redbook), and established engineering standards.
• Conduct compatibility analysis and channel spacing evaluations for congested communications bands.
• Perform radio-frequency compatibility analyses using the FAA’s spectrum-automation and modeling tools to identify and mitigate potential interference among communications, navigation, and surveillance systems.
• Conduct RF propagation, link-budget, EMC, and interference analyses using FAA spectrum-automation and modeling tools.
• Validate all technical data (location, equipment, parameters, emission designator, power, bandwidth, and antenna characteristics) for completeness and accuracy.
• Collaborates closely with other federal and contractor engineers, Service Area Spectrum Offices, and FAA program offices to resolve technical issues and advance records through the assignment and coordination process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees