RF Communications EngineerWould you be excited to build communications/networking architectures across hardware/firmware/software boundaries?Are you interested in trying novel, creative, and risky approaches for communications systems to solve and overcome mission critical challenges?Would you enjoy rapid prototyping of ideas on both novel and deployed RF hardware/systems?If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!We are seeking an RF Communications Engineer to contribute to communications system design, implementation, hardware test/evaluation, FPGA firmware, real-time embedded software, and more. As part of our team, you will make critical contributions to both new and legacy communications systems and work on a variety of projects in a fast-paced team environment.As an RF Communications Engineer, you will:Work with multi-disciplinary teams in designing, implementing, and analyzing systems/algorithms for future resilient, secure, and adaptive communications networks operating in highly contested environmentsDevelop FPGA firmware (VHDL) from concept through implementation, evaluation, and deploymentContribute to MATLAB modeling and simulationValidate and analyze performance of prototypes and tactical systems against complex operational scenariosWork as part of a team to design novel solutions and approaches for size/weight/power/cost (SWaP-C) constrained communications conceptsProvide status updates, analysis results, and algorithms in written reports and in presentations to internal APL staff, program contractors, and government sponsorsSupport occasional field tests for hardware testingQualifications:You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…Have a BS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplineHave 3+ years of experience in communications system design and digital signal processingHave demonstrated experience in FPGA/firmware implementation of transceivers, link-level algorithms, and communications hardware architecturesHave understanding of system link budgets and analysis related to communications/RF systemsHave strong knowledge of RF system design principles, with hands-on experience using RF hardware and test equipmentHave experience in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm development, modeling, and simulationHave strong experience with FPGA firmware design and development experience using VHDL and/or VerilogHave demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary teamCan effectively communicate ideas and resultsAre able to obtain Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information.
Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenshipYou'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…Have an MS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related disciplineHave professional experience with designing fast and adaptive wireless modems and/or networking protocolsHave a deep understanding of wireless communications concepts (OFDM, MIMO, etc.)Have experience implementing advanced concepts on FPGA such as transceivers, estimators, adaptive filtering techniques, error correction codes, etc.Have experience with current military links (e.g. CDL, LINK16/MIDS)Have experience with satellite communications systemsHave experience with heterogeneous (PL?PS) designs on AMD/Xilinx MPSoC/RFSoC/Versal architectures; familiarity with Petalinux/Yocto and C/C++ embedded programming experienceHave an active Secret security clearanceMinimum Rate: $85,000 AnnuallyMaximum Rate: $195,000 Annually