Electrical Engineer/Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

Leidos; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Chicago, Illinois is seeking an Electrical Engineer/RF Engineer to support FAA spectrum engineering services. The role focuses on RF spectrum analysis, interference mitigation, and field investigations to protect NAS operations.

Requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, 2+ years' RF experience, proficiency with spectrum analyzers and DF equipment, and an active Secret clearance or ability to obtain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field; electromagnetics coursework preferred.
• 2+ years of RF engineering experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain.
• Must be a US citizen.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze RF interference affecting NAS operations.
• Evaluate urgency and impact of RF reports to prioritize responses.
• Conduct remote and on-site RF interference investigations using RF analysis tools.
• Perform field investigations with spectrum analyzers, DF equipment, and portable antennas.
• Interpret data and apply mitigation practices to minimize NAS disruption.
• Coordinate with system users, engineering leads, and frequency managers.
• Prepare detailed reports on interference issues, methods, findings, and resolutions.

Skills

RF engineering

Electrical engineering

MS Office

Secret clearance

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Direction finding equipment

RF modeling tools

Job description

Description

Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer/Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Spectrum Engineering Services Group in Chicago, Illinois.

The Spectrum Engineering Group is responsible for securing, managing, and protecting all civil aviation spectrum resources to ensure interference-free operation of FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems across the National Airspace System (NAS).

The ideal candidate will have an electrical engineering degree and with at least 2 years of experience in Radio Frequency Spectrum Analysis, interference mitigation, radio direction finding, and field investigations using industry-standard text equipment. The engineer will conduct interference analysis using databases, logs, and historical patterns and conduct on-site investigations as needed. The engineer will work closely with regulatory bodies, engineering teams, and project managers to support spectrum-related initiatives across various projects to ensure mission-critical systems remain compliant and interference-free.

This position is in office in Chicago, IL with up to 50% travel as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Monitor and receive reports of radio frequency interference affecting the National Air Space (NAS) operations.
• Evaluate the urgency and impact of incoming RFI reports to prioritize responses.
• Conduct both remote and on-site Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) investigations using historical data, databases, logs, and RF analysis tools.
• Conduct RFI field investigation using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, direction finders, and portable antennas to pinpoint the sources of interference when a physical search is warranted.
• Interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve radio frequency interference issues with minimal disruption to the National Air Space (NAS) operations.
• Coordinate and communicate with system users, engineering leads, and regional frequency managers.
• Prepare comprehensive reports summarizing the interference issues, investigative methods used, findings, and resolutions implemented for review by senior management and other stakeholders as required.
• Travel required for conducting on-site RFI investigations and analysis within any of the 17 states within the Central Service Area.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field with course work in electromagnetics preferred.
• 2+ years of prior relevant experience in radio frequency (RF) engineering.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain.
• Must be a US citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Spectrum Analyzers and Direction Finding (DF) equipment.
• Exposure to RF modeling, frequency assignment tools, or engineering databases.
• Experience with aeronautical maps and chart plotting.
• Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems.
• Ability to perform Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) calculations, Link Budgets, dBW/dBm/Watt conversions.
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of spectrum management within the National Airspace System (NAS).
• Knowledge of frequency management practices, including engineering, assignment, and protection of radio frequencies, and the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Redbook.
• Knowledge of and experience with various frequency policy organizations, including National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), and associated sub-committees, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

#Featuredjob