Principal Research Engineer / Scientist

PeopleTec • Huntsville, AL

18h

About The Position

PeopleTec is currently seeking a Principal Research Engineer / Scientist to support our Huntsville, AL location. We are seeking a Principal Research Scientist to join our team at PeopleTec, Inc. This is a senior-level position for applicants with 7-10 years of experience in RF laboratory testing, test stand prototyping and development, scientific method application, statistical analysis, and experiment design. Additional experience in engineering, physics, computer simulation, data analysis, and advanced modeling techniques is preferred, with a focus on scientific model-building and hypothesis testing. Candidates should have prior experience working in a research and development team environment and be comfortable taking on leadership responsibilities. In this role, you will work with a small team on a variety of projects in Government and contractor laboratories. You will serve as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance to the team and mentoring junior researchers. You will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and computer simulation experts to design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions based on results. The work will focus on developing models and conducting research in areas such as biology, electronics, and physics that are relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Requirements

• 7-10 years of experience in a research and development role, with a focus on RF laboratory testing, test stand prototyping, and hands-on experimental work.
• Strong background in the scientific method, statistical analysis, experiment design, and data interpretation.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory instrumentation, test stand development, and troubleshooting experimental setups.
• Familiarity with computational tools and programming languages such as Python, C++, R, or Mathematica, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office and LaTeX for documentation and reporting.
• Experience preparing technical reports, customer deliverables, and publication-quality scientific literature.
• Proven ability to communicate technical concepts and experimental results through reports and presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• An active DoD Secret clearance is required to perform this work. Candidates are required to have an active Secret clearance upon hire, and be eligible to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Ph.D. in engineering, physics, or a related field, or equivalent experience demonstrated through significant contributions to scientific research and publications.

Nice To Haves

• Additional experience in engineering, physics, computer simulation, data analysis, and advanced modeling techniques is preferred, with a focus on scientific model-building and hypothesis testing.
• Candidates should have prior experience working in a research and development team environment and be comfortable taking on leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert in RF laboratory testing, test stand prototyping, and experiment design, providing technical guidance to the team.
• Lead the design, execution, and analysis of experiments, applying the scientific method and statistical techniques to validate results.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the professional development of the team.
• Conduct independent literature reviews to support research activities and identify relevant advancements in the field.
• Develop and refine computational models and simulations using tools such as Python, C++, R, or Mathematica to support experimental work.
• Prepare technical documentation, including customer reports and publication-quality scientific literature.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to communicate progress, present findings, and align research efforts with project goals.
• Oversee the development and implementation of test stands and experimental setups to meet project requirements.

What This Job Offers

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