Research Scientist - Software Defined Radio

Peraton•College Park, MD

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Peraton Labs is seeking a poly cleared Senior Research Scientist to support cleared research and development efforts for a Maryland-based customer. This role will focus on designing, developing, prototyping, and evaluating SDR-based capabilities for advanced wireless communications, networking, cyber operations, and experimentation platforms. At Peraton Labs, you will work on mission-focused R&D efforts that move from research concepts to working prototypes and operationally relevant capabilities. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, and customer stakeholders to solve complex problems involving wireless systems, signal processing, protocol analysis, networked communications, and secure communications environments. This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer site near College Park, MD.

Requirements

Minimum of 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 4+ years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 2+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field or related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 10+ years.
2+ years hands-on experience developing Software Defined Radio solutions
Strong understanding of RF systems, wireless communications, digital signal processing, and SDR architectures
Experience with SDR hardware such as USRP/Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar platforms
Experience working in Linux-based development environments
Ability to develop, test, troubleshoot, and document research prototypes
Experience developing SDR or wireless communications using C/C++, Python, GNU Radio, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts and research results to stakeholders
US Citizenship is a requirement for this position
This position requires an active/current TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field is preferred
Experience with LTE, 5G, WiFi, SATCOM, MANET, tactical radio systems, mesh networking, or custom waveform development
Knowledge of OpenAirInterface, srsRAN/srsLTE, Open5Gs, free5GC, Amarisoft, or similar wireless/telecom stacks
Experience with LTE or 5G standards, including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, NAS, or core network interfaces
Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, vector signal analyzers, channel emulators, or RF front-end equipment
Experience with DSP concepts such as modulation/demodulation, synchronization, filtering, channel estimation, equalization, coding, detection, and signal classification
Experience with RFML, wireless security, protocol reverse engineering, electronic warfare, spectrum sensing, interference analysis, or RF cyber research
Experience integrating SDR capabilities into containers, Kubernetes, virtualized environments, cyber ranges, or network experimentation testbeds.
Experience with test automation, data analysis, and experiment orchestration using Python or similar tools
Experience contributing to proposals, whitepapers, technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, or customer-facing research briefings
Ability to serve as a technical lead or principal investigator on DoD/IC research efforts

Responsibilities

Design, develop, prototype, and test Software Defined Radio capabilities for wireless communications and networking systems
Research and implement signal processing, waveform, protocol, and radio frequency techniques to support mission-focused experimentation
Develop SDR applications and prototypes using tools such as GNU Radio, UHD/USRP, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar
Work with commercial and open-source SDR platforms, including USRP, Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar
Support wireless protocol research, analysis, implementation, and experimentation across systems such as LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, SATCOM, MANET, tactical radio, or custom waveform environments
Integrate SDR capabilities with Linux-based systems, networking environments, containers, testbeds, and cyber experimentation platforms
Conduct lab-based testing, field testing, performance analysis, data collection, and troubleshooting of RF and SDR systems
Analyze wireless signals, protocol behavior, RF performance, and systems teams to integrate SDR capabilities into larger prototypes
Communicate findings, technical approaches, and prototype results through customer briefings, technical reports, whitepapers, or publications