Wireless Engineer SME (Microwave)

Peraton•Washington, DC

38d•$112,000 - $179,000

About The Position

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA's Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the systems and services that keep our nation's skies safe and connected. We're looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of air traffic management. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world's most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration. At Peraton, you won't just support the mission - you'll define it. Join a team dedicated to protecting the safety and integrity of U.S. air travel. Peraton is seeking a Wireless Engineer SME (Microwave) to support the design, integration, and sustainment of microwave and wireless communication systems for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This role provides technical expertise in the development, testing, and maintenance of long-haul and line-of-sight microwave systems that enable reliable, high-performance communication across the National Airspace System (NAS). The ideal candidate brings deep experience in RF engineering, microwave link design, and wireless infrastructure, combined with the ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize communication systems supporting aviation operations and safety-critical networks. Why This Role Matters The FAA's mission to ensure safe and efficient air travel depends on a resilient and secure communications backbone. As a Microwave Wireless Engineer, you will directly contribute to the design and reliability of communication systems that connect radar sites, air traffic control towers, and mission-critical facilities across the country. Your expertise ensures that every signal transmitted through the FAA's microwave and wireless systems meets the highest standards of performance, availability, and redundancy supporting the operational integrity of the U.S. airspace system.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship Required.
Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
Bachelors degree and 12 years of experience or Master's degree and 10 years' experience or Associates degree and 14 years' experience or a High School Diploma and 16 years of experience.
Strong foundation in radio frequency (RF) energy, electromagnetic theory, and microwave transmission principles.
Demonstrated ability to plan and design microwave links, including path profiling, link performance calculations, and verification of required clearances.
Hands-on experience with physical installation and configuration of microwave equipment, including cable routing/termination, antenna alignment, and system troubleshooting.
Proven experience conducting comprehensive site surveys to assess location suitability, identify potential interference, and plan for power, grounding, and mast placement.
Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues that occur during installation or post-deployment to ensure system reliability and performance.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within FAA offices or aviation program environments.
Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or Systems Engineering.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or certification in Wireless Communications Engineering Technology (WCET).
Experience developing redundant, fault-tolerant, and high-availability communication systems.
Exposure to FAA site certification, system sustainment, or facility modernization programs.

Responsibilities

Installing, configuring, and commissioning microwave radios, antennas, and related equipment like multiplexers and power systems. This includes performing site surveys, line-of-sight path alignments, and grounding tasks.
Planning, scheduling, and managing the execution of deployment and maintenance projects, from start to finish. This can involve creating scopes of work, reviewing bids, and managing budgets and schedules.
Diagnosing and resolving system failures, performance issues, and circuit/wiring problems. This also includes responding to trouble tickets and providing technical support to clients and internal teams.
Leading and supporting tower crews and subcontractors on installation and maintenance tasks. This role requires strong leadership and communication skills to ensure projects are executed smoothly and efficiently.
Acting as a liaison with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and client satisfaction. This includes coordinating equipment harvesting and radio replacements.
Deploying emergency response solutions, such as mobile units, during outages or natural disasters.
Driving safety compliance, quality assurance, and accurate project documentation. This may involve managing project documentation, from kickoff through invoicing.

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