FPGA & RF Embedded Communications Engineer - Clearance

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer to design and implement FPGA/firmware for advanced communications networks. The role involves real‑time embedded software, hardware test/evaluation, and collaboration across hardware, firmware, and software teams.

You will work on multi‑disciplinary projects, develop VHDL/Verilog for deployment, and apply MATLAB modeling to validate performance in contested environments.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• 3+ years of FPGA/firmware development in VHDL or Verilog.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Effective communication of ideas and results.
• Experience with DSP on FPGA; RF hardware design/test principles; and using test equipment.
• Eligible for Interim Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and analyze systems/algorithms for resilient, secure communications networks.
• Develop FPGA firmware (VHDL/Verilog) from concept through deployment.
• Contribute to MATLAB modeling and simulation.
• Validate prototypes and tactical systems against operational scenarios.
• Collaborate to design SWaP-C constrained communications concepts.
• Provide status updates and write reports for sponsors; support field tests.

Skills

FPGA firmware development

VHDL/Verilog

C/C++ embedded programming

RF systems knowledge

DSP on FPGA

Effective communication

Education

BS in Computer/ Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

MS in Computer/ Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB

Test equipment

FPGA development tools

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer to design and implement FPGA/firmware for advanced communications networks. The role involves real‑time embedded software, hardware test/evaluation, and collaboration across hardware, firmware, and software teams.

You will work on multi‑disciplinary projects, develop VHDL/Verilog for deployment, and apply MATLAB modeling to validate performance in contested environments.