Sr Research Engineer - RF & Systems Engineer

SRI International•Boulder, CO

20h•$117,684 - $175,054•Onsite

About The Position

SRI is seeking a Senior Research Engineer with deep expertise in RF and Systems Engineering to lead the development, integration, and evaluation of advanced radar, communications, and sensing systems from our office in Boulder, CO. This role emphasizes RF system architecture, requirements development, system-level design and analysis, hardware/software integration, and hands-on prototype development and testing. You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced systems spanning RF hardware, antennas, digital signal processing, embedded computing, software, and firmware. Applications include radar, communications, electronic warfare, remote sensing, quantum sensing, and photonics. The ideal candidate combines strong RF fundamentals with a systems-level perspective and enjoys taking complex technologies from initial concept and requirements through prototype development, field demonstration, and transition. This role is part of SRI’s Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging systems, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics. CHECK OUT OUR RESEARCH HERE!

Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field
B.S. + 8 years, M.S. + 6 years, or Ph.D. + 3 years of relevant experience
U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Strong background in RF and microwave engineering, including RF architectures, signal chains, antennas, and transmit/receive systems
Demonstrated experience with radar, RF communications, electronic warfare, or related sensing systems
Experience developing system architectures and translating system-level requirements into subsystem requirements and interfaces
Understanding of radar and communications performance analysis, including SNR, noise figure, dynamic range, propagation, and waveform considerations
Solid foundation in digital signal processing and hands-on experience with RF laboratory instrumentation
Experience developing complex RF systems from concept through integration, test, and demonstration
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot interactions across RF hardware, digital hardware, firmware, software, and algorithms
Familiarity with real-time processing platforms such as SDRs, FPGAs, GPUs, and SoCs
Experience developing and executing system-level verification and test activities
Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar engineering/programming environments
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and system-level problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers
Experience with technical documentation, design reviews, proposals, and customer presentations

Nice To Haves

Active Top Secret (TS) clearance; SCI and/or recent SAP experience preferred
Experience with RF/EM simulation tools such as ADS, HFSS, or CST
Experience with maritime, airborne, or other operational sensing environments
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical efforts and mentoring junior engineers

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of advanced RF radar, communications, and sensing systems
Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification approaches
Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, radar performance analysis, noise analysis, dynamic range, sensitivity, and interference assessments
Develop system architectures spanning antennas, RF front ends, transmit/receive chains, data converters, embedded processors, FPGAs, GPUs, and software
Perform engineering trade studies involving performance, SWaP, cost, complexity, reliability, and technical risk
Guide hardware/software/firmware partitioning and subsystem interface development
Lead system integration, troubleshooting, verification, and performance characterization in laboratory and field environments
Analyze test results against system requirements and identify opportunities for performance improvement
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams
Contribute to new concepts, white papers, technical proposals, program reviews, and customer briefings
Identify new business development opportunities, engage with potential customers, and write white papers and full proposals