2027 Graduate - Engineering/Science - Signals Exploitation Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance program

Robust retirement contributions

Work-life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks engineers to develop advanced RF signal exploitation capabilities enabling national security missions. You will design and optimize DSP algorithms, analyze RF waveforms, and build software tools for real-time and offline analysis.

Working with multidisciplinary engineers, you will rapidly prototype techniques and mature them into deployable solutions, collaborating across hardware, FPGA, and embedded teams to field capabilities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, CS, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• Coursework or experience in DSP, communications, RF engineering, or statistical signal analysis.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Develop signal processing algorithms and analyze RF waveforms.
• Build software tools and transition concepts into deployed capabilities.
• Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, and embedded teams to deploy algorithms.
• Prototype techniques rapidly and mature them into fielded solutions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Mathematical problem-solving

Education

Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering / Computer Science / Physics / Applied Mathematics degree

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about solving some of our nation's most challenging RF sensing and signal intelligence problems?

Description

Are you passionate about solving some of our nation's most challenging RF sensing and signal intelligence problems?

Are you looking for meaningful work with an employer that values innovation, technical excellence, and continuous professional growth?

Do you enjoy transforming complex electromagnetic signals into actionable intelligence through advanced algorithms and signal processing?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

If you are graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline and have an interest in RF signals, digital signal processing, and algorithm development, we'd love to have you join the Signals Exploitation Systems team!

We are seeking engineers to develop advanced RF signal exploitation capabilities that enable our nation's defense and intelligence communities to understand, detect, classify, and characterize complex electromagnetic environments. You will develop signal processing algorithms, analyze RF waveforms, build software tools, and transition innovative concepts into operational capabilities supporting challenging national security missions. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams of engineers, mathematicians, and scientists, you will rapidly prototype new techniques and mature them into fielded solutions.

As a member of the team, you will…

• Work with defense and intelligence sponsors to understand challenging RF sensing and signal exploitation problems.
• Analyze real-world RF signals and waveforms to identify signal characteristics, protocols, emitter behavior, and operational insights.
• Design, implement, and evaluate digital signal processing algorithms for detection, classification, geolocation, demodulation, and signal characterization.
• Develop and optimize signal processing software using MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ for real-time and offline analysis.
• Perform algorithm performance assessments using measured and simulated datasets, validating techniques across a variety of operational environments.
• Collaborate with hardware, FPGA, embedded software, and systems engineers to transition algorithms into deployable systems.
• Research emerging RF technologies and develop innovative approaches to solve evolving electromagnetic sensing challenges.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications if you have:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• Coursework or experience in Digital Signal Processing, communications, RF engineering, or statistical signal analysis.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.
• Strong analytical and mathematical problem-solving skills.
• Are able to obtain Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level 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. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:

• Experience with RF signal analysis, spectrum analysis, waveform characterization, or communications signal processing.
• Knowledge of digital communications, modulation schemes, wireless protocols, or electronic warfare concepts.
• Experience developing detection, estimation, classification, tracking, or geolocation algorithms.
• Familiarity with software-defined radios (SDRs), RF test equipment, or signal collection systems.
• Experience with machine learning applied to RF signals or signal classification.
• Knowledge of FPGA acceleration, GPU computing, or real-time DSP implementations.
• Experience using Python scientific libraries (NumPy, SciPy, PyTorch), MATLAB Signal Processing Toolbox, or GNU Radio.
• Interest in RF signal exploitation, digital signal processing, algorithm development, electronic warfare, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and advanced electromagnetic sensing.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

Why Work at APL?

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas.

• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

• APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually