Electronics Engineer

US Federal Communications Commission; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Columbia, MD is seeking a seasoned RF/EMC specialist to advance spectrum management and compliance testing in a demanding laboratory environment. The role requires evaluating RF/Electromagnetic Compatibility measures, developing measurement procedures for evolving wireless technologies, and providing technical leadership across major research projects.

Applicants should possess advanced engineering credentials and extensive experience in RF

Qualifications

• Candidates must have specialized experience in RF, EMC, spectrum management, and related testing.
• Experience leading or contributing to development of EMC measurement procedures and standards.
• Knowledge of RF equipment authorization processes and international conformity assessments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and guide RF spectrum management hypotheses and theories.
• Lead studies on spectrum-sharing and RF use in regulatory contexts.
• Oversee EMC and RF measurements to demonstrate conformance with international standards.
• Provide technical leadership on tests and equipment-authorization procedures.
• Coordinate with industry groups such as ANSI/IEEE on standards.

Skills

MIMO measurements

RF emission measurements

Spectrum management

Public speaking

RF equipment knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (OPM 0855)

Tools

EMC instrumentation

Job description

This position is located in the Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Laboratory Division, Technical Research Branch in Columbia, MD.

RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Candidates must meet all of the qualification criteria outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified.

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA

A. Education: Candidates must meet the following OPM basic requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-engineering-series-0855/.pdf

AND

B. Specialized Experience

GS-14

For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks:

• Participating in the development of new hypotheses and theories concerning radiofrequency (RF) use and spectrum management;
• Participating in studies of spectrum-sharing arrangements involving equipment authorization and RF use;
• Performing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radiofrequency exposure, and related compliance measurements to demonstrate conformance with technical requirements established by international regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies, including requirements involving Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC), Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), and incident power density;
• Providing technical advice on major research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum;
• Participating in the development of EMC and equipment-authorization measurement procedures for evolving technologies, including 5G, 6 GHz Wi-Fi, UWB, geolocation technologies, radar and sensing systems, as well as multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and active antenna arrays, cellular and other licensed technologies.
• Evaluating the RF, EMC, and spectrum-management implications of emerging wireless technologies and applications, including 5G systems, 6 GHz Wi-Fi devices, geolocation services, and radar and sensing technologies.
• Experience in a working RF Laboratory such as an Accredited and FCC recognized test firm or other EMC laboratory

GS-15

For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks:

• Leading the development of new hypotheses and theories concerning RF use and spectrum management;
• Directing studies of spectrum-sharing arrangements involving equipment authorization and RF use;
• Leading the development of EMC measurement procedures, technical requirements, and standards for evolving wireless technologies, including multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and active antenna arrays, 5G & 6G Cellular, Wi-Fi, D2D, NTN and other emerging technologies;
• Overseeing and leading major technical research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum;
• Performing or directing EMC and related measurements to demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements of international regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies;
• Leading the development, evaluation, or implementation of international technical standards related to RF equipment authorization, electromagnetic compatibility, spectrum use, or wireless device compliance;
• Providing technical leadership in the development, implementation, or administration of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and related international conformity-assessment arrangements; and
• Directing or conducting technical and regulatory reviews involving test firm certification and ownership, including evaluating a test firm’s technical qualifications, organizational structure, independence, control, and eligibility to perform equipment-authorization testing.
• Experience in equipment authorization oversight operation such as a Telecommunications certification Body.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

AND

GS-14 COMPETENCIES

• Ability to develop measurement techniques for determining multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc., of various devices including mobile/portable wireless user equipment and IEEE 802.11 wireless network devices; and develop new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management.
• Skill in the use and application of RF emission measurements for fixed and mobile services and operations; will also serve as focal point for coordination of activities with industry organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
• Ability to prepare bulletins, guidance documents and public notices, give speeches and serve on panels at public and industrial forums.
• Knowledge of the latest telecommunications and wireless network systems technology which includes testing and certification of devices.
• Knowledge of policies concerning equipment authorization and Radio Frequency (RF) use.

GS-15 COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of the latest telecommunications and wireless network systems technology which includes testing and certification of devices.
• Knowledge of policies concerning equipment authorization and Radio Frequency (RF) use.
• Ability to develop new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management.
• Skill in the use and application of RF emission measurements for fixed and mobile services and operations.
• Ability to serve as focal point for coordination of activities with industry organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
• Ability to prepare bulletins, guidance documents and public notices, give speeches and serve on panels at public and industrial forums.
• Ability to develop measurement techniques for determining multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc. of various devices including mobile/portable wireless user equipment and IEEE 802.11 wireless network devices.

SME REVIEW

Subject matter experts will be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to the required competencies to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to required competencies and receive a score of 90 or higher on the scored structured resume review to be eligible for referral to the selecting official.