Junior Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer

Leidos • Washington, DC

1d • $69,550 - $125,725 • Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos’ NISC IV program is seeking a Junior Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-194) in National Defense and Electronic Attack. The engineer will provide technical engineering and spectrum management support to evaluate Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) test, training, and operational activities for potential impacts to the National Airspace System (NAS). The role is suited to someone with an educational background in RF or spectrum engineering and coursework or interest in EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, and/or geospatial analysis. Prior C-UAS experience is desirable but not required.

This is a hybrid position requiring regular on-site presence three days per week in Washington, D.C., to access a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for work involving classified information, and two days of remote work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 1 year of relevant experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, geospatial analysis, frequency coordination, or spectrum management.
• Experience or knowledge reviewing and interpreting RF technical specifications and engineering data, including frequencies, bandwidths, power levels, antenna and emission characteristics, receiver characteristics, and geographic operating parameters.
• Ability to perform technical analyses to identify potential RF interference, spectrum compatibility, or frequency deconfliction issues between systems operating within the same or adjacent frequency bands.
• Experience using RF/spectrum engineering, modeling and simulation, propagation analysis, GIS/geospatial, or other technical analysis tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop technically supportable recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to engineering, program management, government, and other stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and possess and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance, or be able to obtain and maintain one.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with RF spectrum management, spectrum compatibility analysis, frequency assignment/coordination, or spectrum certification in a federal government, military, aviation, telecommunications, or similar environment.
• Knowledge or experience with C-UAS, UAS, electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, or RF-based mitigation technologies.
• Familiarity with FAA NAS infrastructure and Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems.
• Knowledge of federal spectrum management regulations, policies, and processes, including NTIA and FCC requirements, the NTIA Manual, and frequency assignment and protection practices.
• Experience using federal spectrum management databases or systems such as the Government Master File (GMF), Automatic Frequency Manager (AFM), or similar frequency management databases and tools.
• Experience using aeronautical charts, GIS, or other geospatial information to evaluate potential RF, operational, or aviation impacts.
• Prior C-UAS experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct RF spectrum compatibility and interference analyses of C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including frequency deconfliction, RF propagation, and geospatial analysis, to identify potential impacts to FAA and NAS communications, navigation, surveillance, and other safety-critical systems.
• Evaluate C-UAS test, training, and operational requests submitted by FAA and interagency partners; review technical parameters for completeness, determine required engineering analyses, and provide technical support for FAA C-UAS testing and evaluation activities.
• Assess NAS impacts and develop mitigation recommendations using RF modeling and simulation tools, spectrum databases, geographic information, aeronautical charts, and other engineering data; identify technical controls such as frequency, power, geographic, or operational restrictions to protect FAA/NAS systems.
• Prepare and process Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests using the Automatic Frequency Manager system to support temporary C-UAS spectrum operations.
• Use RF spectrum engineering tools and databases, including the Technical Compatibility and Analysis Tool (TCAT) and Government Master File (GMF), to perform circle searches, transmitter/receiver analyses, Desired-to-Undesired (D/U) signal ratio calculations, and other RF compatibility assessments.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, briefings, and engineering documentation communicating analysis results, spectrum impacts, mitigation recommendations, and other technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level