Jr., Mid, Sr. RF Communications Test Engineer *

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.; Bath Township (OH); On-site; USD 79,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) Savings Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and PTO

Employee discounts

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Mission Technologies, is seeking an RF Communications Test Engineer to join our team at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. The role demands agile collaboration in a fast-moving environment and a strong curiosity for learning.

Travel is 10–20%, and clearances (Secret to TS/SCI) are relevant to the work. The position emphasizes SME leadership in RF systems, independent analysis, and close interaction with customers to define and validate test requirements.

Qualifications

• 2–15+ years relevant experience with a Bachelors in Electrical/Astro Eng.
• 0–13+ years experience with Masters in Electrical/Astro Eng.
• High School Diploma or equivalent with 6–19+ years relevant experience.
• 3 years of experience relevant to RF test engineering and satellite communications system analysis.
• Strong background in analyzing RF communication systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or similar tools for data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing skills for writing test reports and supporting documentation.
• Strong communication skills for effective coordination with customers and team members.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME on RF communication systems and provide guidance for test and evaluation activities.
• Conduct satellite communications link budget analysis to predict and validate end-to-end performance.
• Analyze RF signal paths and system geometry, focusing on space vehicle orientation and pointing angles.
• Evaluate performance of RF systems, including satellite ground stations and transponders.
• Model and simulate RF systems and atmospheric effects to forecast performance.
• Design and build RF communication systems and test apparatuses.
• Coordinate with customers to define test requirements, report findings, and ensure validation.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Technical writing

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Masters in Electrical Engineering

Masters in Astronautical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

MS Excel

Job description

Requisition Number: 29973 Required Travel: 11 - 25% Employment Type: Full Time/Hourly/Non-Exempt Anticipated Salary Range: $79,316.00 - $202,722.00 Security Clearance: TS/SCI Level of Experience: Mid

This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems. HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U. S. military and federal agency partners.

Leadership Mindset at HII – Mission Technologies

Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes—regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization.

We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:

• Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success.
• Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
• Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
• Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve.
• Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose.

These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.

Job Description

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Mission Technologies is currently seeking an RF Communications Test Engineer to join our growing team. The ideal candidates work well in an agile, fast moving culture and has a fundamental passion and curiosity to learn.

This position is located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio and is within a commutable distance from Beavercreek, Fairborn, Dayton, and Riverside.

Jr. RF Comms test engineer - $79,300 - $113,300 Mid lvl RF Comms test engineer - $94,400 - $161,300 Sr. RF Comms test engineer - $141,900 - $202,700

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on RF communication systems, providing technical guidance for test and evaluation activities.
• Conduct independent and detailed satellite communications link budget analysis to predict and validate end-to-end system performance; independently research and estimate relevant performance parameters.
• Analyze RF signal paths and system geometry, with a focus on space vehicle orientation and pointing angles.
• Evaluate the performance of RF communications systems, including components such as satellite ground stations, transponders, and user terminals.
• Model and simulate RF systems and atmospheric effects to forecast performance and support test planning.
• Design and build RF communications systems, associated components and test apparatuses.
• Coordinate directly with customers to exchange data, define clear test requirements, report findings, and ensure system validation meets their needs.
• Rapidly learn and master new RF technologies and test methodologies to support evolving project demands.

Travel 10-20%

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 - 15+ years relevant experience with Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or a related engineering field OR
• 0 - 13+ years experience with Masters in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or a related engineering field OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 - 19+ years relevant experience
• 3 years of experience relevant to RF test engineering and satellite communications system analysis.
• Strong background in analyzing RF communication systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or similar tools for data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
• MS Excel proficiency.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing skills for writing test reports, and supporting documentation.
• Strong communication skills for effective coordination with customers and team members.
• Minimum Secret clearance required to start
• Applicant must be able to obtain and maintain an active TS/SCI clearance with enhanced security checks

Preferred Requirements

• Programming (C, C++, python) and FPGA development
• Experience with satellite communications
• Masters degree in relevant field

Physical Requirements

May require working in an office, industrial, shipboard, or laboratory environment. Capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and extreme temperature variances.

The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.

Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division

Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe.

Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers.

Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class.

Find the role that’s right for you.

We look forward to meeting you.

HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future.

• best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices
• wellness resources
• employee assistance programs
• Savings Plan Options (401(k))
• financial planning tools, life insurance
• employee discounts
• paid holidays and paid time off
• tuition reimbursement
• early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships

Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.

Why HII

We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber.

Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first.

Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

Do You Need Assistance?

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.