RF Communications Engineer

Leidos • Huntsville, AL

1d • $87,100 - $157,450

About The Position

Leidos is seeking an RF Communications Engineer to support the High Achievability Lunar Terrain Vehicle (HALTV) program and other space programs. As part of the Leidos Space Platforms Portfolio, the position supports development of a lunar terrain vehicle system and support equipment, with primary responsibility for integrating, qualifying, and testing RF communications hardware as part of an operational system. The work includes RF simulation and analysis, subsystem-level testing, electromagnetic compatibility testing, and end-to-end system verification.

The engineer translates high-level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and works with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop detailed lower-level requirements. The role supports design through product implementation, contributes to engineering design dispositions, and helps resolve documentation discrepancies in coordination with Lunar Outpost and other team members. Travel may be required as necessary, estimated at 10–20%. Candidates must be based in or willing to relocate to the Huntsville–North Alabama area.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or an equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited institution; master's or Ph.D. degree holders are encouraged to apply, with degree level substitutable for direct industry work experience.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience with an engineering company or system integrator involving design, integration, testing, and/or modification of communications hardware for human-rated aerospace systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing RF link budgets.
• Hardware experience with space-based transceivers, antennas, and amplifiers.
• Hands-on experience with RF simulation and analysis tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, ADS, or equivalent electromagnetic simulation software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively within a team environment.
• Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville–North Alabama, Alabama area.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must possess and be able to maintain a Final Secret Clearance, or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or working knowledge of space communications systems.
• Ability to architect and implement complex space-based RF communication links or systems from concept through flight operations.
• Proficiency with CCSDS standards and NASA communication protocols.
• Understanding of communications for navigation and telemetry systems.
• Cislunar or deep-space communications heritage.
• Experience with NASA Deep Space Network or Near Space Network operations.
• Experience with Wi-Fi standards including IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), and their implementations.
• Hands-on experience integrating and testing Wi-Fi subsystems in aerospace or ruggedized environments.
• Knowledge of Wi-Fi performance tests, including throughput, latency, packet error rate, and range testing.
• Familiarity with Wi-Fi security protocols such as WPA2 and WPA3, and network configuration for mission-critical applications.
• Experience conducting Wi-Fi subsystem qualification testing, including thermal, vibration, and vacuum environmental testing.
• Experience with RF PCB design using tools such as Altium Designer or Keysight ADS.
• Proficiency in STK integration and scripting for mission analysis and end-to-end system modeling.
• Experience coordinating and planning frequency spectrum with the FCC, IOAG, NTIA, SFCG, and ITU.
• Knowledge of electromagnetic interference analysis and testing, passive intermodulation, and harmonic effects.
• Experience with cosite analysis and antenna pattern analysis using computational electromagnetic software such as STK, HFSS, E3Expert, GEMACS, and/or MATLAB/Simulink.
• RF design experience across S-Band, X-Band, Ka-Band, C-Band, L-Band, and ISM bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
• Knowledge of microstrip and waveguide RF filter design.
• Experience with test bench equipment including VNA, VSG, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and Wi-Fi test equipment.

Responsibilities

• Integrate, qualify, and test RF communications hardware for the lunar terrain vehicle system and support equipment.
• Perform RF simulation analysis, subsystem-level testing, electromagnetic compatibility testing, and end-to-end system verification.
• Translate high-level product development strategies into system requirement specifications.
• Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop detailed lower-level requirements.
• Support engineering design from development through product implementation.
• Contribute to engineering design dispositions and help resolve documentation discrepancies in coordination with Lunar Outpost and other team members.
• Travel as necessary (10–20%).

What This Job Offers

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