Junior Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer

Leidos; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Junior RF Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group in Washington, DC. The role focuses on RF interference analysis, spectrum management, and geospatial evaluation for C-UAS test and NAS impacts. Hybrid work requires 3 days on-site in Washington, DC and 2 days remote.

A DoD Secret clearance is preferred. Ideal candidates have 1+ year experience in RF/spectrum engineering and related tools, with a background in EMI/EMC, RF propagation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or closely related technical discipline.
• 1+ years of RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation modelling, geospatial analysis.
• Experience interpreting RF specifications including frequencies, bandwidths, power levels, and geographic operating parameters.
• Ability to identify RF interference, spectrum compatibility, or frequency deconfliction issues between systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct RF spectrum compatibility and interference analyses of C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including frequency deconfliction, RF propagation, and geospatial analysis.
• Evaluate C-UAS test, training, and operational requests, review technical parameters for completeness, determine required engineering analyses, and provide support for FAA C-UAS testing and evaluation activities.
• Assess NAS impacts and develop mitigation recommendations using RF modelling, spectrum databases, geographic information, aeronautical charts, and other engineering data.
• Prepare and process Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests using the Automatic Frequency Manager system.
• Utilize RF spectrum engineering tools and databases, including TCAT and GMF, to perform circle searches, transmitter/receiver analyses, and D/U ratio calculations.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, briefings, and engineering documentation communicating analysis results and mitigation recommendations.

Skills

RF engineering

EMI/EMC

RF propagation modelling

Geospatial analysis

Frequency coordination

Spectrum management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

TCAT

GMF

Automatic Frequency Manager (AFM)

Job description

Leidos’ NISC IV program is seeking a Junior Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-194) in the area of National Defense and Electronic Attack. The ideal candidate will have an educational background in radio frequency (RF) engineering/ spectrum engineering with coursework and an interest in EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, and/or geospatial analysis. The engineer will provide technical engineering and spectrum management support to evaluate Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) test, training, and operational activities for potential impacts to the National Airspace System (NAS). Prior C-UAS experience is desirable but not required. This is a hybrid position requiring regular on-site presence 3 days in Washington, D.C. to access a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) to perform work involving classified information and 2 days remote work.

Core Responsibilities:

• Conduct RF spectrum compatibility and interference analyses of C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including frequency deconfliction, RF propagation, and geospatial analysis, to identify potential impacts to FAA and National Airspace System (NAS) communications, navigation, surveillance, and other safety-critical systems.
• Evaluate C-UAS test, training, and operational requests submitted by FAA and interagency partners, review technical parameters for completeness, determine required engineering analyses, and provide technical support for FAA C-UAS testing and evaluation activities.
• Assess NAS impacts and develop mitigation recommendations using RF modeling and simulation tools, spectrum databases, geographic information, aeronautical charts, and other engineering data. Identify appropriate technical controls such as frequency, power, geographic, or operational restrictions necessary to protect FAA/NAS systems.
• Prepare and process Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests using the Automatic Frequency Manager system to support temporary C-UAS spectrum operations.
• Utilize RF spectrum engineering tools and databases, including the Technical Compatibility and Analysis Tool (TCAT) and Government Master File (GMF), to perform circle searches, transmitter/receiver analyses, Desired-to-Undesired (D/U) signal ratio calculations, and other RF compatibility assessments.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, briefings, and engineering documentation communicating analysis results, spectrum impacts, mitigation recommendations, and other technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or closely related technical discipline.
• 1+ years of relevant experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, geospatial analysis, frequency coordination, or spectrum management.
• Experience or knowledge on reviewing and interpreting RF technical specifications and engineering data, including frequencies, bandwidths, power levels, antenna and emission characteristics, receiver characteristics, and geographic operating parameters.
• Ability to perform technical analysis to identify potential RF interference, spectrum compatibility, or frequency deconfliction issues between systems operating within the same or adjacent frequency bands.
• Experience using RF/spectrum engineering, modeling and simulation, propagation analysis, GIS/geospatial, or other technical analysis tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop technically supportable recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information to engineering, program management, government, and other stakeholders.
• Must be a U.S. citizenship and possess and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance or able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred but Not Required:

• Experience with RF spectrum management, spectrum compatibility analysis, frequency assignment/coordination, or spectrum certification in a federal government, military, aviation, telecommunications, or similar environment.
• Knowledge or experience with Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, or RF-based mitigation technologies.
• Familiarity with FAA National Airspace System (NAS) infrastructure and Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems.
• Knowledge of federal spectrum management regulations, policies, and processes, including NTIA and FCC requirements, the NTIA Manual and frequency assignment and protection practices.
• Experience using federal spectrum management databases or systems such as the Government Master File (GMF), Automatic Frequency Manager (AFM), or similar frequency management databases and tools.
• Experience using aeronautical charts, GIS, or other geospatial information to evaluate potential RF, operational, or aviation impacts.

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.

Original Posting: October 23, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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 here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.

Leidos Overview

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.