NIWC - Undergraduate Student III - Communications Division Engineering Support (Task No. 55-152614)

San Diego State University Research Foundation•San Diego, CA

10d•$20•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is for an undergraduate student at San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) to provide engineering support within the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), Pacific Communications Division portfolio. The student will assist with software, networking, cybersecurity, analysis, and test and evaluation (T&E) tasks related to software-defined radios (SDRs), SATCOM systems, and other Communications projects. The role requires demonstrated knowledge and capability in the relevant engineering domain, with work assignments considering urgency, priority, and constraints. The student will work under the close supervision of experienced professionals, providing learning opportunities and contributing to the Division's mission.

Requirements

Must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work.
Must be at the Senior level.
Must have experience in 100% of the task requirements.
Must be able to accomplish 90% of the work independently.
Computer Science and Information Systems and/or Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics major preferred; other relevant majors considered with relevant coursework and/or work experience.
Must obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
Must be a US Citizen.
Must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).

Nice To Haves

Documented COMSEC training and qualification to operate Type 1 cryptographic devices.
Proven hands-on experience with tactical military radios, Software-Defined Radios (SDR), and SATCOM.
Proficiency in software development for automated testing of asymmetric data transmission (e.g., configuring radios for transmit-only or receive-only operations).
Demonstrated experience applying DoW Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
Ability to design and execute system simulations, conduct field studies to validate communications architectures, and translate technical findings into comprehensive training documents.

Responsibilities

Communication Systems Operations Support - operating Type 1 encrypted military narrowband radios (e.g., AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-117G) and managing COMSEC protocols during lab experimentation.
Systems Integration & Payload Support – assisting in the implementation of Software-Defined Radios (SDR), MANET radios, and live-streaming sensors for signal characterization and relay.
Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) Support – operating and navigating USV platforms in support of naval lab exercises.
Software Development & Automation Support – developing software and scripts to automate tactical radio transmissions.
Cybersecurity & Compliance Support – using Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) Viewer to assess, implement, and validate system security controls, ensuring the secure configuration of networks.
Training Development Support – designing and assisting in the development of training lectures focusing on tactical radio and satellite communications (SATCOM) and conducting analytical studies to validate and refine lecture materials.
Analytical Studies & Simulation Support – executing system simulations to evaluate SATCOM constraints and operational scenarios and conducting studies to characterize the operational behavior and limitations of radio cross-banding equipment.