Lead RF Systems Engineer (Tactical Comms / SDR / DSP)

Two Six Technologies; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 178,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

Two Six Technologies is seeking a Lead RF Systems Engineer to direct technical strategy and software development for DSP/SDR based tactical communications systems in Herndon, Virginia. You will drive architecture, algorithm development, testing, and hardware-in-the-loop validation for cutting-edge R&D programs while mentoring multi-disciplinary teams.

The role emphasizes RF signal reverse engineering, waveform synthesis, and EW-resilient communications across HF to UHF bands.

Qualifications

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required.
• 8+ years hands-on DSP, SDR, and RF comms development experience including lead roles.
• Strong background in terrestrial RF systems and real-time DSP pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement SDR/DSP solutions for terrestrial radios (HF/VHF/UHF).
• Reverse engineer RF devices to map transceiver logic and waveform parameters.
• Synthesize tactical RF waveforms and develop channel-aware DSP algorithms.
• Lead lab builds, test gear selection, and field/lab validation activities.
• Mentor teams in HF/VHF/UHF propagation, signaling, and EW-related work.

Skills

DSP

SDR

C++

Python

GNU Radio

Real-time DSP

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CS

Tools

Ghidra

IDA Pro

Binary analysis

Embedded firmware

Job description

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.

Overview Of Opportunity

Two Six Technologies is seeking a Lead RF Systems Engineer to lead technical strategy and software development for DSP/SDR tactical communications systems. In this role, you will drive architecture design, advanced algorithm development, testing, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation to support cutting‑edge R&D programs in Herndon, Virginia. As a lead / principal engineer, you will serve as a technical authority—shaping modern RF architectures, guiding lab infrastructure strategy, selecting core SDR platforms, and mentoring multi‑disciplinary engineering teams. The primary focus of this role is terrestrial communications systems, RF signal reverse engineering, tactical waveform synthesis, and electronic warfare (EW) resilient communications across HF, VHF, and UHF bands.

What You Will Do (Responsibilities)

• Lead Architecture & Strategy: Architect, design, and implement advanced SDR and DSP solutions for terrestrial tactical radios (HF/VHF/UHF) in a Linux environment.
• Protocol & Waveform Reverse Engineering: Reverse engineer complex terrestrial COTS and proprietary RF devices to map transceiver logic, demodulate legacy/custom tactical waveforms, and extract framing parameters.
• Waveform Synthesis & Generation: Synthesize and generate custom tactical RF waveforms based on reverse‑engineered signal parameters, including frequency‑hopping, direct‑sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), and low probability of intercept/detection (LPI/LPD) signals.
• Terrestrial Signal Processing: Develop algorithms to detect, identify, feature‑extract, and decode captured complex tactical communications signals operating in harsh multipath and co‑channel interference environments.
• Modulation & Transceiver Pipeline: Implement end‑to‑end transmit/receive signal chains using foundational and complex modulation schemes (e.g., FSK, PSK, QAM).
• Lab Leadership & Testing: Direct laboratory build‑outs, select advanced SDR hardware and test gear, and execute field or lab‑based RF experimentation to validate synthesized tactical signals.
• Domain Problem Solving: Solve high‑level technical challenges across tactical communications, signal intelligence (SIGINT), spectrum management, and electronic warfare (EW/EA/EP) domains.
• Technical Mentorship & Expertise: Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in HF/VHF/UHF propagation, signal generation, and DSP, guiding cross‑functional teams in a rapid‑prototyping environment.

What You Will Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required
• Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or equivalent practical, military, or intelligence community experience.
• Minimum 8 years of hands‑on experience in Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Software Defined Radio (SDR), and RF communications development (including technical lead/architecture roles).
• Deep knowledge of terrestrial RF communications systems, channel dynamics, and signal structures across the HF, VHF, and UHF bands.
• Extensive experience in RF reverse engineering, signal parameter estimation, protocol disassembly, and target waveform regeneration.
• Proven track record architecting software‑driven DSP pipelines (C++, Python, GNU Radio, or REDHAWK) with an emphasis on real‑time signal processing.

Nice If You Have (Preferred)

• Tactical Radio Protocols: Familiarity with modern military and public safety tactical radio standards, waveforms, and networking protocols (e.g., MIL‑STD‑188‑110, STANAG, SINCGARS, HAVE QUICK, P25, MANET/mesh networking).
• Propagation & Channel Modeling: Strong understanding of terrestrial RF phenomena, including ground‑wave/sky‑wave HF propagation, urban multipath fading, troposcatter, and Doppler spread mitigation.
• Advanced EW & Anti‑Jamming: Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) countermeasures, anti‑jam (AJ) techniques, LPI/LPD waveform design, and adaptive filtering/interference mitigation.
• Firmware Analysis: Experience with reverse engineering tools like Ghidra, IDA Pro, or binary analysis frameworks for embedded tactical radio firmware.
• Communications Theory: Deep expertise in FEC (Convolutional, Turbo, LDPC), Viterbi/Reed‑Solomon decoding, interleaving, frame synchronization, and equalization algorithms.

Security Clearance

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required.

Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

Salary Range: $178,018 - $267,027 USD

Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information review the Two Six Technologies Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

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