Electrical Engineer/Spectrum Engineer (Satellite Systems)

Leidos • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer (Spectrum Engineer) with specialized experience in Satellite frequency assignment engineering and coordination 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 across multiple aviation bands—with primary emphasis on Satellite and other federal bands —and applies knowledge of RF propagation, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and NTIA/FAA spectrum-management policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications, 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.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency engineering, satellite communications, spectrum engineering, or related aerospace/telecom engineering.
• Comprehensive understanding of radio-frequency spectrum engineering principles, including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), interference analysis, and frequency coordination.
• Understanding satellite link budgets, space-to-earth path loss, antenna gain, EIRP density, and orbital parameters.
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems used for spectrum management, with guidance.
• 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 with SATCOM system engineering (GEO, MEO, LEO) and aviation-related satellite services.
• Familiarity with NTIA Redbook satellite chapters, FCC Part 25, or ITU Radio Regulations.
• 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.
• Familiar with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the planning, coordination, and execution of FAA and non-FAA frequency assignment actions, ensuring that technical analyses and documentation conform to FAA Orders, the NTIA Manual (Redbook), and established engineering standards.
• 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.
• Engineer FAA and non-FAA Satellite frequency assignments across L-band, S-band, C-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, and other satellite service allocations as required.
• Evaluate satellite earth station operations, space-to-earth and earth-to-space link characteristics, antenna patterns, EIRP density, gain contours, and orbital considerations (GEO, MEO, LEO).
• Analyze compatibility between Satellite systems and FAA CNS systems, ensuring compliance with FAA protection criteria and NTIA rules.
• Support FAA reviews of new or modified SATCOM services that may affect aviation operations (e.g., safety-critical data links, ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS, Iridium, Inmarsat, Starlink-type systems).

What This Job Offers

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