RF Engineer III

Scientific Research Corporation • North Charleston, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic is responsible for the research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of new and emerging technologies to enhance and increase the capabilities of Naval SIGINT programs (SSEE/CCOP). This support includes research and identification of innovative technology, requirements analysis, testing and demonstration, technical writing, representation at S&T/R&D conferences, training, procurement, configuration management, production, transition support, drafting and repair. This support is designed to ensure deployed Navy sensors are capable of achieving success against emerging technology from adversaries.

The role involves designing and building software-defined RF pipelines for acquisition, channelization, synchronization, demodulation/decoding, detection/classification, and recording/streaming optimized for real-time maritime environments. This includes developing GNU Radio flowgraphs and custom OOT blocks, integrating SDR front-ends, and ensuring robust metadata handling, rate control, and flow management. The engineer will implement and optimize DSP algorithms in Python and C/C++, meeting throughput/latency targets. They will conduct R&D prototyping, evaluate emerging RF/DSP techniques and SDR frameworks, perform trade studies, and transition successful capabilities into Programs of Record (PORs). Additionally, the role requires performing modeling, performance analysis, and root-cause investigations for software signal chains, as well as acting as a contributor to a small group of skilled engineers supporting the RDT&E of innovative technology for Navy SIGINT systems. On-site engineering, support, and research of the SSEE Family of Systems (FoS) and other SIGINT/IO/EW/CSO Systems will be provided. The engineer will identify, de-conflict, and orchestrate integration of innovative technology, and provide systems engineering support over a broad range of hardware types. Planning, testing, and providing technical expertise for identifying innovative technology, evaluating vendor capabilities, and analyzing/interpreting engineering schematics are also key responsibilities. Performing system and performance modeling, Root Cause Analysis, hardware design, RF System/Subsystem analysis, and providing engineering support for integrating novel solutions into existing PORs are expected. The role requires applying existing skill sets to novel systems with minimal documentation, performing self-directed research, troubleshooting existing systems, and researching/recommending new systems and technology. Developing new system documentation and training, and developing innovative ways of integrating novel technology into existing PORs are also part of the role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) or computer engineering (ECE/CmpE/CompE)
• Minimum five years of experience in electrical and/or computer system engineering
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and optimizing GNU Radio flowgraphs, custom OOT blocks, and end‑to‑end SDR processing chains, familiarity with UHD/USRP, Soapy SDR, VITA‑49, and IQ data capture/streaming
• Strong development skills in Python and C/C++ for high‑performance RF/DSP algorithms, including multi‑threading, concurrency, and memory-efficient data movement
• Genuine desire to solve unique, system-level problems
• Experience with a broad range of hardware types including RF assemblies, power supplies (ACand DC), FPGAs, digital signal processors, network/server equipment, and embedded architectures
• Demonstrated creative, critical thinking, and troubleshooting skills
• Hands-on experience utilizing digital and RF test equipment including signal generators, network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
• Ability to solve difficult technical problems with minimal oversight, established directions, or guidance
• Collaborative teamwork skills interacting across multiple disciplines including other systems engineers, software developers, integration teams, quality assurance, production personnel, and program managers
• Developed communication skills and the ability to express thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely, employing technical writing techniques
• Must be a team player, dedicated to program support, capable of multitasking and working several complex and diverse tasks with simultaneous or near simultaneous deadlines
• Be a self-starter who is accountable and requires minimal direction and supervision; a person who is open to new ideas
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must possess a U.S. Government security clearance at the TOP SECRET / SCI level with CI POLY ELIGIBILITY

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in Linux development, build systems (CMake), package management, Git, code review, CI/CD, containerization (Docker/Podman), and automated build/test pipelines
• Deep knowledge of digital signal processing and digital communications (sampling theory, filter design, FFT/PSD, polyphase channelization, decimation/interpolation, timing/frequency synchronization, modulation/demodulation, AM/FM/PSK/QAM/FSK/OFDM, error correction, detection/classification)
• Experience with profiling and optimizing DSP code (SIMD/SSE/AVX, vectorization), real‑time constraints, throughput/latency tuning, buffer management, and parallel processing architectures
• Hands-on experience working with SIGINT systems (SSEE/CORSAIR/CCOP)
• Familiarity with Research and Development (R&D) Pipelines (identification, evaluation, integration, testing)
• Experience researching, identifying, and transitioning innovative technologies
• Familiarity with system requirements and key performance points analysis
• Experience in engineering schematics and Engineering Change Notices
• Experience providing transition support for innovative systems and technology
• Experience in root cause analysis or corrective analysis
• Demonstrated familiarity with Navy SIGINT/IO/EW/CSO system requirements and capabilities
• Background in system testing to include planning, procedure development, and test execution

Responsibilities

• Designing and building software‑defined RF pipelines: acquisition, channelization, synchronization, demodulation/decoding, detection/classification, and recording/streaming optimized for real‑time maritime environments
• Developing GNU Radio flowgraphs and custom OOT blocks; integrating SDR front‑ends (e.g., USRP/UHD, VITA‑49 IQ sources) and ensuring robust metadata handling, rate control, and flow management
• Implementing and optimizing DSP algorithms in Python and C/C++, meeting throughput/latency targets via concurrency, vectorization/SIMD, and efficient memory/buffer strategies
• Conducting R&D prototyping: evaluateing emerging RF/DSP techniques and SDR frameworks, performing trade studies, rapidly prototype, and transitioning successful capabilities into Programs of Record (PORs)
• Performing modeling, performance analysis, and root‑cause investigations for software signal chains; instrument and profile pipelines to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions
• Acting as a contributor to small group of skilled engineers supporting the RDT&E of innovative technology to support the enhancement of Navy SIGINT systems
• Providing on-site engineering, support, and research of the SSEE Family of Systems (FoS) and other SIGINT/IO/EW/CSO Systems
• Identifying, de-conflicting and orchestrating integration of innovative technology being developed throughout the community
• Providing systems engineering support over a broad range of hardware types including RF assemblies, power supplies (AC and DC), FPGAs, digital signal processors, network/server equipment, and embedded architectures
• Planning, testing, and providing technical expertise to the identification of innovative technology within the community
• Evaluating vendor capabilities to provide required products and services
• Analyzing, interpreting, and generating engineering schematics and change notices
• Performing system and performance modeling
• Performing Root Cause Analysis
• Performing hardware design with respect to component/assembly analysis, specification, integration, and testing
• Performing RF System/Subsystem analysis and specification review
• Providing engineering support to the process of integrating novel solutions to existing Programs of Record (POR)
• Providing transition support of newly identified and innovative technology to existing PORs
• Applying existing skill set to novel systems with little-to-no existing documentation or directions
• Performing self-directed research including decomposition of existing systems and design of new systems and configurations
• Researching and implementing integrations between various new/existing systems to provide new functionality
• Troubleshooting existing systems and identification of system shortfalls
• Researching, identifying, and recommending new innovative systems and technology, as well as improvements for existing system functionality
• Developing new system documentation and training to support system transition
• Developing innovative ways of integrating novel technology into existing PORs
• Providing transition support for newly developed systems

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision plans
• 401(k) with a company match
• life insurance
• vacation and sick paid time off accruals with amounts increasing based on role and years of service
• 11 paid holidays
• tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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