2027 PhD Graduate - Electronic Warfare Engineer/Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

7h

About The Position

The Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory develops electronic warfare capabilities, including systems test and evaluation, communications electronic attack, threat representation and analysis, and RF hardware development and analysis. The group works with government and industry to provide advanced RF capabilities for national security missions.

The Electronic Warfare RF Engineer/Analyst will model, analyze, and test advanced RF systems in support of electronic warfare missions. The role contributes to simulations of threat sensors and communication links, laboratory and field tests, and analysis of RF and test data to produce technical findings and recommendations. Team members develop and refine tools, algorithms, and workflows for RF analysis, signal processing, and hardware-in-the-loop evaluation, using hands-on experimentation and data-driven assessments.

The position involves collaboration with engineers, scientists, management, external sponsors, and industry partners. Occasional travel is required to support integration and test events. The position requires eligibility to obtain an Interim Secret clearance by the start date and ultimately a Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for classified-access eligibility.

Requirements

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Coursework, research, internship, or project experience in at least one of these areas: RF systems, communications systems, digital signal processing, embedded systems, software development, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, or data analysis.
• Familiarity with at least one technical programming language or analysis environment, such as MATLAB, Python, C, or C++.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to support integration and test events.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for eligibility to access classified information.

Nice To Haves

• Active Top Secret security clearance.
• Knowledge of precision strike, sensors, countermeasures, communications, or intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking systems.
• Experience with RF laboratory equipment, such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, software-defined radios, protocol analyzers, or related measurement equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support development of algorithms, software tools, and signal-processing approaches for electronic-warfare applications.
• Work hands-on with RF test equipment, software-defined radios, embedded systems, antennas, protocol analyzers, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers.
• Plan, execute, and analyze laboratory and field Test & Evaluation activities, including developing test plans, supporting test events, and conducting post-test data analysis.
• Apply communications theory, RF systems knowledge, signal processing, numerical tools, and software best practices to understand system and threat behavior and identify potential electronic attack vectors.
• Contribute to RF and hardware-in-the-loop test and analysis efforts, and improve or standardize test tools, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Provide sponsors and teammates with technical expertise and clear recommendations about system capabilities and limitations, electronic countermeasure effectiveness, operational tactics, program direction and priorities, and areas for further investigation and technology development.
• Establish effective working relationships and interact with cross-organizational teams, management, external sponsors, and partners across APL and industry.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program and education assistance.
• Retirement plans and unparalleled retirement contributions.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Training and development.
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance, subject to policy and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree