RF Signal Processing Engineer

Ideal Innovations, Inc.•Adelphi, MD

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Highlights: In this multi-year project, you will help develop state-of-the-art systems that detect threat objects before they can cause harm. The system will help solve an urgent need to protect US military and civilian personnel abroad and at home. You will be part of a dynamic team of engineers, scientists and programmers. You will work with one of the nation’s premier laboratories alongside top-notch talent from the civilian, contractor and military sectors, and you will have access to advanced test equipment and analysis software. In this project, you will help develop a system-of-systems (SoS) approach that fuses data from radars and other sensors to provide real-time detection of threats. Your work will employ field data collections to obtain data for machine learning, and you will be involved in designing the system from the ground up. By applying your hands-on knowledge of RF signal processing and system integration, you will play a direct role in transitioning this technology from the laboratory to the battlefield. In this role, you will build your strengths in designing, building and testing RF signal processing chains. You will be exposed to new analysis tools, test equipment and test methods. Each day will present a new opportunity to learn and grow. Professional development is encouraged and expected at I-3. Typical Day: A typical day will be spent in the office and lab, involving a wide variety of activities such as design and analysis, testing and evaluation of algorithms and data visualization tools, customer meetings and design review meetings. Tasks: We are seeking a Radio-Frequency (RF) Signal Processing Engineer to develop, implement, and analyze advanced signal processing algorithms for RF sensing and electronic warfare (EW) systems. This role focuses on radar and array-based signal processing techniques, with applications that may include sensing, imaging, and direction-finding systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field.
Strong foundation in digital signal processing, probability, and linear algebra.
Hands-on experience with RF signal processing in one or more of the following areas: radar, SAR, array signal processing, or direction finding.
Experience with spectral estimation techniques such as FFT-based methods, parametric estimators, or adaptive approaches.
Proficiency with signal processing development tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C/C++).
US citizenship is required.
Candidates should possess or be eligible to obtain a SECRET clearance.

Nice To Haves

Will consider candidates with advanced degrees (MS or PhD). Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Experience with real-world RF data, including calibration, noise mitigation, and interference handling.
Familiarity with multi-channel or phased-array systems.
Experience transitioning algorithms from research or simulation into real-time or embedded implementations.
Knowledge of detection and estimation theory as applied to RF systems.
This role emphasizes algorithm development and analytical signal processing rather than RF hardware design.
Successful candidates will be comfortable working at the intersection of theory and practical system implementation, collaborating closely with hardware and systems engineers.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and evaluate RF signal processing algorithms for radar and related sensing systems.
Implement and analyze algorithms for synthetic aperture radar (SAR), including image formation, calibration, and performance assessment.
Develop array signal processing techniques for beamforming, adaptive processing, and spatial filtering.
Apply spectral estimation methods for detection, classification, and parameter estimation in noisy or interference-limited environments.
Develop and refine direction-finding and geolocation algorithms using multi-antenna or multi-sensor RF data.
Analyze system-level performance metrics such as resolution, detection probability, false alarm rate, and estimation accuracy.
Implement algorithms in simulation and prototype environments, using tools such as MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.
Collaborate with systems, RF hardware, and software teams to ensure algorithmic solutions are aligned with hardware and operational constraints.
Document algorithms, models, and test results in technical reports and design documentation.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume