Lead RF Systems Integration Engineer

STR; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

STR seeks an experienced RF Systems Integration Engineer in the Sensors Division to lead RF test, measurement, and system integration for a new mode on an externally developed radar system. You will be the RF technical authority, defining integration requirements and guiding characterization and validation efforts.

Successful candidates will have deep RF/radar expertise, a security clearance, and strong skills in Matlab, Python, Simulink, and/or C/C++.

Qualifications

• Active Security Clearance with eligibility to support SAP/SCI.
• Advanced degree in EE, math, physics, or related field.
• 8+ years (BS), 6+ years (MS), or 2+ years (PhD) in RF systems.
• Experience designing, integrating, testing RF sensors or comms systems.
• Strong programming in Matlab, Python, Simulink, or C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF testing and characterization across lab and system environments.
• Develop deep understanding of third‑party radar system architecture.
• Define RF integration approach and translate system objectives to RF requirements.
• Design and validate integration strategies, timing, interfaces, and DSP effects.
• Collaborate with external radar developer to resolve RF and integration challenges.
• Lead test planning, execution, and analysis with clear success criteria.

Skills

RF systems

Python

Matlab

Simulink

C/C++

Signal processing

Technical communication

Education

PhD, MS, or BS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics

Tools

RF test equipment

Job description

The Sensors Division at STR focuses on technology development for advanced sensor systems and platforms in support of national security requirements. Our particular focus areas include airborne/spaceborne/surface-based radar, electronic warfare, underwater acoustics, hyperspectral imaging, and EO/IR sensing. To support these missions, the Division’s efforts span multiple technical areas, including RF analog/digital hardware, acoustic hardware, signal processing algorithms, machine learning algorithms, systems analysis, and real-time embedded processor implementation.

The Algorithms, Processing and Experimentation (APEX) Group specializes in development of RF/radar modes, skills and applications, with particular emphasis on advanced signal processing chains and associated algorithm research. We mature these technologies with the objective of implementation, integration, and eventual utility in RF-based systems, typically tailoring our work for highly specific Defense (e.g., Air Force, Space Force, Navy, DARPA, etc.) and Intelligence Community needs.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced RF Systems Integration Engineer to lead RF test, measurement, and system integration activities in support of integrating a new operational mode onto an externally developed radar system. This role requires deep hands‑on expertise in RF and radar systems, combined with the ability to understand, influence, and integrate with a complex radar platform owned and developed by another organization. You will serve as the technical authority for RF systems integration owning the end‑to‑end understanding of the radar, defining integration requirements, leading RF characterization and testing, and designing the technical approach required to successfully implement and validate our mode on the partner radar system.

What you will do:

• Lead RF testing, measurement, and characterization efforts across lab, integration, and system‑level environments
• Develop a deep technical understanding of a third‑party radar system, including RF architecture, signal chains, modes, interfaces, and operational constraints
• Define and own the RF systems integration approach for implementing a new mode on an externally developed radar Translate system‑level objectives into clear RF, interface, and integration requirements
• Design and validate integration strategies, including RF interfaces, timing, control, and signal processing impacts
• Collaborate closely with the external radar developer to resolve RF, system, and integration challenges Lead integration test planning, execution, and analysis, including defining success criteria and validation methods Identify risks and tradeoffs related to RF performance, integration complexity, and system compatibility
• Serve as the technical lead and escalation point for RF systems integration issues Communicate findings and recommendations to internal leadership and cross‑organizational stakeholders

Who you are:

• Active Security Clearance, with eligibility to support special access programs, for which U.S Citizenship is required by the U.S government
• PhD, MS, or BS in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline
• BS with 8+ years,MS with 6+ years or PhD with 2+ years of relevant experience
• Relevant experience designing, integrating and testing RF sensor and/or communication systems
• Familiarity with RF component technology and performance characteristics
• Strong scientific programming skills including Matlab, Python, Simulink and/or C/C++
• Ability to translate customer requirements to determine research focus
• Strong communication skills and the ability to describe complex technical concepts to fellow researchers as well as to non‑technical people
• Deep expertise in RF systems, radar systems, and RF test & measurement Strong understanding of radar architectures, waveforms, modes, and RF signal chains

Even Better:

• Current TS/SSBI with SCI and ability to gain and hold SCI/SAP accreditations
• Prior experience with advanced development efforts in DoD programs
• Prior experience integrating new functionality or modes into existing or third‑party radar systems
• Broad experience across multiple defense‑related RF domain programs (e.g., Communications, Electronic Warfare, Radar, etc.)

Pay Information
Full‑Time Salary Range: $160,000 - $220,000

The salary range listed is based on external market data. Offers are based on factors, such as but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills/critical skills, security clearances, and prevailing market and business conditions.

STR is a growing technology company with locations near Boston, MA, Arlington, VA, near Dayton, OH, Melbourne, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. We specialize in advanced research and development for defense, intelligence, and national security in: cyber; next generation sensors, radar, sonar, communications, and electronic warfare; and artificial intelligence algorithms and analytics to make sense of the complexity that is exploding around us.

STRis committed to creating a collaborative learning environment that supports deep technical understanding and recognizes the contributions and achievements of all team members. Our work is challenging, and we go home at night knowing that we pushed the envelope of technology and made the world safer.

STR is not just any company. Our people, culture, and attitude along with their unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives put us on a trajectory to change the world. We can't do it alone, though - we need fellow trailblazers. If you are one, join our team and help to keep our society safe! Visit us at www.str.us for more info.

STRis an equal opportunity employer. We are fully dedicated to hiring the most qualified candidate regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the employment process, email us at [e-mail] and provide your contact info.

Pursuant to applicable federal law and regulations, positions at STR require employees to obtain national security clearances and satisfy the requirements for compliance with export control and other applicable laws.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in STR’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.