RF Research Scientist

TAP Engineering • College Park, MD

11d • $80,000 - $230,000

About The Position

TAP Engineering is seeking an RF Research Scientist in College Park, Maryland, to support applied Radio Frequency (RF) engineering research focused on technologies relevant to future-generation wireless communications systems, portable electronics, advanced antenna designs, power harvesting, and RF Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design.

The role calls for someone able to envision and articulate new research areas, explore novel approaches, and work in a dynamic environment. The scientist may lead efforts, provide guidance, and transition work for future development while monitoring and engaging in ongoing progress. Technical leadership is non-supervisory. The position also involves supporting the government’s technical element in managing the RF research portfolio, reviewing technical work, and coordinating technical development activities.

The research team includes scientists at multiple levels, from Junior to Principal, with level determined by education and experience. An active TS/SCI clearance with appropriate polygraph is preferred. Candidates without clearance must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance processing.

Requirements

• Experience in RF circuit design, including schematic capture, component selection, and layout using CAD tools such as Altium.
• Experience in RF modeling using electromagnetic simulation tools such as CST or HFSS, as well as prototyping and test/characterization.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance if not already cleared.
• U.S. citizenship is required for clearance processing.
• Level 1 qualifications: no degree with 6 or more years of experience; a bachelor’s degree with 2 or more years of related experience; or a master’s degree with 1 or more years of related experience.
• Level 2 qualifications: no degree with 12 or more years of experience; a bachelor’s degree with 6 or more years of related experience; a master’s degree with 6 or more years of related experience; or a Ph.D. with 4 or more years of related experience.
• Level 3 qualifications: no degree with 16 or more years of experience; a bachelor’s degree with 12 or more years of related experience; a master’s degree with 10 or more years of related experience; or a Ph.D. with 8 or more years of related experience.

Nice To Haves

• Active TS/SCI security clearance with appropriate polygraph.
• RF experience across a broad frequency range, from several hundred MHz to millimeter wave.
• Experience developing technologies for future-generation wireless communications systems and/or portable electronics.
• Advanced RF antenna design experience, such as compact, flexible, and high-sensitivity antennas.
• RF ASIC design, analysis, and/or fabrication experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently within a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and expertise in RF engineering and research, including developing, testing, and documenting experiments.
• Assimilate and integrate technical inputs from performers and analyze technical deliverables and reports.
• Assist the government’s technical element in managing the RF research portfolio.
• Conduct technical writing and prepare materials for presentation.
• Independently review and summarize related technical literature and emerging technologies, and participate in technical exchanges and workshops related to program technical areas.
• Develop and document testing methodologies and protocols, ensuring alignment with program technology components.
• Coordinate, align, and schedule technology development tasks, and continuously analyze technical progress against planned cost and schedule.
• Perform technical and programmatic risk analysis, review, and tracking.

Benefits

• 15–25 days of paid time off annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays.
• Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through matching and profit sharing.
• Free medical insurance for employees, with optional dependent buy-up plans.
• Employer-paid dental and vision plans, with optional enhancements.
• Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework.
• Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support.
• Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed