2027 Graduate - RF Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Competitive retirement contributions

Strong work-life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory seeks engineers and scientists to push RF and EW technologies. You will model, test, and analyze advanced systems, from waveforms to antennas, working with a multidisciplinary team to solve defense challenges.

Ideal candidates have a strong foundation in electrical engineering or physics, hands-on lab experience, and the ability to obtain security clearances. You’ll tackle meaningful problems and contribute to mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, or related field.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, C, C++, Java or similar.
• Strong foundation in engineering, mathematics, physics, or related concepts.
• Able to obtain Interim Secret clearance by start date and pursue Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, propagation effects, and system performance assessments.
• Use modeling, simulation, experimentation, and data analysis to evaluate RF and advanced tech.
• Propose, analyze, and test new RF concepts, including waveforms, hardware, antennas, and system architectures.
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments, collect and analyze data to improve concepts.
• Develop software and tools to model RF systems, automate testing, and control lab equipment.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, sensor experts, software developers, and physicists on integrated solutions.
• Contribute to end-to-end mission modeling, technical concept development, requirements, and testing.
• Design, simulate, build, and test analog and RF circuits, amplifiers, antennas, and hardware.
• Communicate analysis results and recommendations to teammates, leaders, and government.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C

C++

Java

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Math or Physics

Tools

ADS

HFSS

Altium

SOLIDWORKS

AutoCAD

Job description

Would you like to use your engineering skills to work on technologies that push the boundaries of what is possible?

Are you excited by RF systems, electromagnetics, antennas, electronics, modeling and simulation, or hands‑on experimentation?

Do you enjoy solving difficult technical problems where the answer isn't already known?

If you're graduating with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, or a related technical field and want to turn what you've learned in school into real-world engineering solutions, we'd love to have you join our team.

Our team develops, models, builds, and tests advanced technologies to solve some of the nation's most challenging defense problems. Our work spans RF engineering, electronic warfare (EW), radar, high‑power microwave (HPM), modeling and simulation, hardware development, experimentation, and systems engineering.

You'll join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists who combine deep technical expertise with curiosity and creativity to understand complex systems and develop new ways to protect the United States, our military, and our allies from emerging air and missile threats. You'll have opportunities to learn from experienced technical experts while quickly taking ownership of meaningful engineering problems of your own.

The work is varied: you might build a model to predict how an RF system will perform, design or test hardware in the laboratory, develop a new waveform, analyze data from an experiment, or work with engineers from several disciplines to determine how a new technology could perform as part of a larger defense system.

We're looking for people with strong engineering fundamentals, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to keep learning. We'll help you develop the specialized knowledge needed to become an expert in this field.

We strive to foster an environment built around collaboration, curiosity, and commitment to our mission. Our team values of Courageous Curiosity, Enthusiastic Empathy, and Inspired Improvement reflect how we approach both our technical work and how we work together.

Your primary responsibilities could include:

• Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, propagation effects, and system performance assessments
• Use modeling, simulation, experimentation, and data analysis to understand how RF and other advanced technologies perform in realistic environments
• Propose, analyze, and test new RF concepts, including novel waveforms, hardware designs, antennas, and system architectures
• Design and conduct laboratory experiments, collect and analyze data, and use the results to improve system concepts
• Develop software and analysis tools to model RF systems, automate testing, control laboratory equipment, or analyze experimental data
• Work alongside systems engineers, sensor experts, software developers, physicists, and other specialists to understand how technologies work together as part of a larger system
• Contribute to end-to-end mission modeling, technical concept development, requirements definition, and system testing
• Design, simulate, build, and test analog and RF circuits, amplifiers, antennas, and other hardware
• Communicate your analysis, results, and recommendations to teammates, technical leaders, and the government

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have, or will soon complete, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Math, Physics, or a related technical field
• Have experience programming in a language such as MATLAB, Python, C, C++, Java, or similar
• Have a strong foundation in engineering, mathematics, physics, or related technical concepts
• Enjoy solving analytical problems and figuring out how complex systems work
• Are curious and motivated to learn technical areas that may be new to you
• Can communicate technical ideas and results effectively
• Enjoy working collaboratively with engineers and scientists from different backgrounds
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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 coursework, research, internship, capstone, or project experience involving RF systems, electromagnetics, antennas, radar, signal propagation, communications, electronics, or related areas
• Have designed, built, modeled, or tested RF circuits, antennas, amplifiers, electronics, or other hardware
• Have experience designing and conducting experiments, controlling laboratory instruments, collecting data, or automating testing
• Have used RF, microwave, or electromagnetic modeling and simulation tools such as ADS, HFSS, or similar tools
• Have experience with schematic capture or board‑layout tools such as Altium or similar software
• Have experience with mechanical CAD tools such as SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, or similar software
• Have academic, research, internship, or professional exposure to radar, electronic warfare (EW), high‑power microwave (HPM) or related technologies
• Currently hold, or are able to obtain, a Top Secret or TS/SCI level security clearance

About Us

Why Work at APL?

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.

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.

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].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. 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