MANET Engineer (HYBRID- Aberdeen, Maryland)

Fairwinds Technologies, L•Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

17d•$110,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a MANET Radio Engineer to design, test, and integrate advanced radio frequency solutions for tactical communications systems. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in RF system architecture, waveform performance analysis, and antenna design to support next-generation C4ISR capabilities. This position will play a critical role in the Drone + 5G program, integrating high-performance RF subsystems into UAV platforms to enable resilient, high-throughput communications across contested and austere environments. This role reports to the Chief Technology & Strategy Office and involves working closely with customers and engineering teams to deliver cutting-edge mechanical designs for RF Tactical & Naval Military Solutions, as well as strategic border protection applications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related discipline.
5+ years of experience in RF system design and integration.
Proficiency with RF analysis tools (HFSS, CST, ADS, Microwave Office, or equivalent).
Hands-on experience with tactical radios, SDR platforms, and military communications standards (MIL-STD-188, JTRS).
Knowledge of RF propagation in mobile, airborne, and SATCOM environments.
Experience with Tactical and Commercial MANET Radios
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance.
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for RF hardware.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in RF Engineering or related field.
Experience integrating RF payloads into UAV platforms, including radome design and airborne antenna placement.
Familiarity with 5G NR, NTN, and advanced mesh networking waveforms.
Background in beamforming, phased array antennas, or MIMO systems.
Prior experience in defense or aerospace programs involving airborne comms systems.
Knowledge of spectrum management and dynamic spectrum access for tactical environments.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize RF front-end architectures for tactical radios, 5G modems, and SATCOM terminals.
Conduct link budget analysis, waveform performance evaluation, and antenna placement optimization.
Integrate RF subsystems into UAV payloads for the Fairwinds-Gambit joint drone communications effort.
Perform RF propagation modeling for airborne, ground, and hybrid mesh networks.
Support EMI/EMC compliance testing and RF interference mitigation strategies.
Collaborate with hardware, software, and network engineering teams for end-to-end system integration.
Contribute to or author technical documentation, system specifications, and integration guides.