Lead RF and Spectrum Engineer

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE is seeking a Spectrum/RF engineer to act as a technical lead for spectrum-related research and tests supporting NOAA, NTIA, and NIST. You will model systems, develop sensor algorithms, and guide formal test design while mentoring junior staff.

The ideal candidate holds deep RF, antennas, and waveform expertise, with hands-on data analysis in MATLAB or Python and eligibility for a Secret security clearance. On-site work is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years experience in AI with a relevant technical degree, or 6 years with a Master’s.
• Deep hands-on wireless testing and RF/sensor systems engineering expertise.
• Proven ability to plan and conduct formal test methodologies with data analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• Excellent written, verbal, and briefing skills for technical and leadership audiences.
• Eligibility to obtain/maintain a Secret U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizen).
• On-site work requirement: at least 3 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as NOAA technical representative and interface with stakeholders on band studies.
• Provide strategic technical leadership across the Commerce work program on band studies.
• Analyze electromagnetic spectrum requirements and advise sponsors on system integration.
• Develop system-level models and prototype sensor algorithms in MATLAB or Python.
• Architect formal test methodologies and guide lab data collection and testing.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate across teams on spectrum coexistence.

Skills

RF engineering

MATLAB/Python

Wireless testing

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

RF/test equipment

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

MITRE operates six Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) including the Center for Enterprise Modernization (CEM) co-sponsored by the Department of Commerce. In the CEM FFRDC, we help Commerce in their mission to create economic growth and opportunity for all Americans. We do this by helping design new sensors and satellites, analyzing trade and industrial policy, prototyping cutting-edge, AI-enabled software, and working with industry to accelerate their entry into global markets.

MITRE is seeking a strong Spectrum/RF engineer who can function as a technical lead for spectrum-related research and test activities supporting the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in RF systems, antennas, communications, radar, waveforms, and spectrum-dependent technologies, combined with a strong background in test and evaluation.

In this position, you will directly support NOAA on upcoming spectrum band studies, assessing the ability of systems like the NEXRAD radars to operate in various study scenarios as directed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the NTIA band study plans. In this role, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team working in the public interest to expand access to spectrum for industry while protecting critical government missions.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• NOAA Representation: Serve as a primary technical representative for NOAA, interfacing directly with stakeholders executing the band studies.
• Strategic Technical Leadership: Provide strategic direction across the Commerce work program on the band studies to help the government move fast with engineering rigor.
• Deep Technical Consulting: Analyze complex electromagnetic spectrum requirements and research emerging wireless technologies to advise sponsors on system integration and strategic impacts.
• Hands‑on Modeling & Prototyping: Utilize programming environments such as MATLAB or Python to develop system-level engineering models, prototype sensor algorithms, and analyze complex signal processing data.
• Test Design & Execution: Architect formal test methodologies, participate in physical data collections, conduct lab experiments, and guide advanced test facility operations.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Foster collaborative engineering environments and quickly develop the technical and professional skills of junior staff through dedicated mentoring.
• Industry Liaison: Liaise with industry to maintain understanding of technical developments in telecom that will shape the future of spectrum coexistence.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years experience in AI with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; or 6 years and a Master’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communications Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical discipline.
• Experience heavily rooted in hands‑on wireless testing, spectrum management, or RF/sensor systems engineering.
• Demonstrated deep technical expertise across military and commercial spectrum‑dependent wireless systems, including radio systems, waveforms, MILSATCOM, cellular, and radar systems.
• Proven proficiency planning and conducting formal test methodologies, including hands‑on data analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and briefing skills with a verified ability to communicate granular technical concepts simply and concisely to both engineering teams and non‑technical project leadership.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communications Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical discipline.
• Active Secret security clearance.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$156,400 - $195,500 - $234,600 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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