Radio Frequency Engineer/Spectrum Engineer (C-UAS)

Leidos•Washington, DC

3d•$69,550 - $125,725•Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos' NISC IV program is seeking a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-194) in the area of National Defense and Electronic Attack. The ideal candidate will have experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, and/or geospatial analysis. 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). Prior C-UAS experience is highly desirable but not required. This is a hybrid position requiring regular on-site presence in Washington DC to access a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and perform work involving classified information.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline, completion of a formal spectrum management course, or equivalent military education and experience.
2+ years of relevant experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, geospatial analysis, frequency coordination, or spectrum management.
Experience 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 analysis 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 with the ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop technically supportable recommendations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information to engineering, program management, government, and other stakeholders.
Must be a U.S. citizenship and possess and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance or able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

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 Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, or RF-based mitigation technologies.
Familiarity with FAA National Airspace System (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 reviewing spectrum certification and equipment allocation documentation, including DD Form 1494, Joint Frequency Allocation (J/F-12) documentation, Spectrum Reports, or similar RF technical documentation.
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.
Experience coordinating spectrum or technical matters with federal agencies and interagency organizations, such as the FAA, NTIA, FCC, DoD, DHS, DOJ, or the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC).
Experience preparing Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests or other temporary frequency authorization/coordination documentation.

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 National Airspace System (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 appropriate technical controls such as frequency, power, geographic, or operational restrictions necessary 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.
Utilize 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.