RF Engineer III

Scientific Research Corporation • North Charleston, SC

2d

About The Position

Scientific Research Corporation is hiring an RF Engineer III to support Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic research, development, testing, and evaluation of technologies that enhance Naval SIGINT programs, including SSEE and CCOP. The work supports deployed Navy sensors in responding to emerging technologies from adversaries and includes research, requirements analysis, testing and demonstration, technical writing, conference representation, training, procurement, configuration management, production, transition support, drafting, and repair.

The role designs and builds real-time software-defined RF pipelines, develops GNU Radio flowgraphs and custom out-of-tree blocks, integrates SDR front ends, and implements and optimizes DSP algorithms in Python and C/C++. It includes prototyping and evaluating emerging RF/DSP techniques, analyzing and profiling signal chains, investigating root causes, and transitioning successful capabilities into Programs of Record. The engineer also provides systems engineering and on-site support for SIGINT/IO/EW/CSO systems, integrates innovative technologies, evaluates vendors, reviews schematics and change notices, performs hardware and RF subsystem analysis, troubleshoots systems, and develops documentation and training for system transitions.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in electrical or computer engineering, at least five years of electrical and/or computer systems engineering experience, and U.S. citizenship. The position requires a U.S. government Secret clearance with Top Secret/SCI-level clearance with CI polygraph eligibility. Filling the position is contingent upon funding. Travel may be up to 15% annually.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (BSEE) or computer engineering (ECE/CmpE/CompE).
• At least five years of experience in electrical and/or computer systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and optimizing GNU Radio flowgraphs, custom out-of-tree blocks, and end-to-end SDR processing chains.
• Familiarity with UHD/USRP, SoapySDR, VITA-49, and IQ data capture and streaming.
• Strong Python and C/C++ development skills for high-performance RF/DSP algorithms, including multithreading, concurrency, and memory-efficient data movement.
• Experience with a broad range of hardware, including RF assemblies, AC and DC power supplies, FPGAs, digital signal processors, network/server equipment, and embedded architectures.
• Hands-on experience using digital and RF test equipment, including signal generators, network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers.
• Creative and critical thinking, troubleshooting ability, and a genuine desire to solve unique system-level problems.
• Ability to solve difficult technical problems with minimal oversight, established direction, or guidance.
• Collaborative teamwork skills across disciplines, including systems engineering, software development, integration, quality assurance, production, and program management.
• Communication skills to express ideas clearly and concisely, including technical writing.
• Ability to support programs, multitask across complex and diverse tasks with simultaneous or near-simultaneous deadlines, and work as a team player.
• Self-starter who is accountable, requires minimal direction and supervision, and is open to new ideas.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a U.S. government Secret clearance with Top Secret/SCI-level clearance and CI polygraph eligibility.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Design and build software-defined RF pipelines for acquisition, channelization, synchronization, demodulation and decoding, detection and classification, and recording or streaming in real-time maritime environments.
• Develop GNU Radio flowgraphs and custom out-of-tree blocks; integrate SDR front ends such as USRP/UHD and VITA-49 IQ sources; and ensure robust metadata handling, rate control, and flow management.
• Implement and optimize DSP algorithms in Python and C/C++, meeting throughput and latency targets through concurrency, vectorization/SIMD, and efficient memory and buffer strategies.
• Evaluate emerging RF/DSP techniques and SDR frameworks, conduct trade studies, prototype capabilities, and transition successful capabilities into Programs of Record.
• Model and analyze software signal-chain performance, profile pipelines, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions and root-cause investigations.
• Contribute to a small group of engineers supporting RDT&E of innovative technologies for Navy SIGINT systems.
• Provide on-site engineering, support, and research for the SSEE Family of Systems and other SIGINT/IO/EW/CSO systems.
• Identify, de-conflict, and coordinate integration of innovative technology developed throughout the community.
• Provide systems engineering support across RF assemblies, AC and DC power supplies, FPGAs, digital signal processors, network/server equipment, and embedded architectures.
• Plan testing and provide technical expertise to identify innovative technology; evaluate vendor capabilities for required products and services.
• Analyze, interpret, and generate engineering schematics and change notices.
• Perform system and performance modeling, root-cause analysis, hardware design and testing, and RF system/subsystem analysis and specification review.
• Support integration of novel solutions into existing Programs of Record and transition newly identified technology to those programs.
• Apply existing skills to novel systems with little or no documentation or direction, conduct self-directed research, decompose existing systems, and design new systems and configurations.
• Research and implement integrations between new and existing systems to provide new functionality.
• Troubleshoot existing systems and identify system shortfalls; research, identify, and recommend innovative systems, technologies, and improvements to existing functionality.
• Develop system documentation and training to support transitions, and develop innovative approaches to integrating novel technology into existing Programs of Record.
• Provide transition support for newly developed systems.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plans.
• Dental insurance plans.
• Vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) with 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.
• A work environment that encourages excellence.

What This Job Offers

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