2027 Graduate - Engineering/Science - Signals Exploitation Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

9d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking engineers to develop advanced RF signal exploitation capabilities that enable our nation's defense and intelligence communities to understand, detect, classify, and characterize complex electromagnetic environments. You will develop signal processing algorithms, analyze RF waveforms, build software tools, and transition innovative concepts into operational capabilities supporting challenging national security missions. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams of engineers, mathematicians, and scientists, you will rapidly prototype new techniques and mature them into fielded solutions.

Requirements

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
Coursework or experience in Digital Signal Processing, communications, RF engineering, or statistical signal analysis.
Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.
Strong analytical and mathematical problem-solving skills.
Able to obtain Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Experience with RF signal analysis, spectrum analysis, waveform characterization, or communications signal processing.
Knowledge of digital communications, modulation schemes, wireless protocols, or electronic warfare concepts.
Experience developing detection, estimation, classification, tracking, or geolocation algorithms.
Familiarity with software-defined radios (SDRs), RF test equipment, or signal collection systems.
Experience with machine learning applied to RF signals or signal classification.
Knowledge of FPGA acceleration, GPU computing, or real-time DSP implementations.
Experience using Python scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch), MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox, or GNU Radio.
Interest in RF signal exploitation, digital signal processing, algorithm development, electronic warfare, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and advanced electromagnetic sensing.

Responsibilities

Work with defense and intelligence sponsors to understand challenging RF sensing and signal exploitation problems.
Analyze real-world RF signals and waveforms to identify signal characteristics, protocols, emitter behavior, and operational insights.
Design, implement, and evaluate digital signal processing algorithms for detection, classification, geolocation, demodulation, and signal characterization.
Develop and optimize signal processing software using MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ for real-time and offline analysis.
Perform algorithm performance assessments using measured and simulated datasets, validating techniques across a variety of operational environments.
Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, embedded software, and systems engineers to transition algorithms into deployable systems.
Research emerging RF technologies and develop innovative approaches to solve evolving electromagnetic sensing challenges.