Principal RF System Engineer

Leidos; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal RF Antenna System Engineer for our St. Petersburg, FL office. You will lead design, modeling, and testing of advanced RF antenna systems for DoD and commercial customers.

The role requires extensive RF/MW circuit experience, system-level design, and collaboration across engineering disciplines. Candidates must obtain/maintain a Secret clearance; this is a full-time on-site position in St. Petersburg.

Qualifications

• US citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
• BS or MS with 8–10 years of relevant experience.
• RF/MW circuit design and high-power multilayer PCB design knowledge.
• Experience with RF test equipment (network/spectrum analyzers, power meters, etc.).
• Proficiency in Matlab; RF simulation tools Microwave Office and Ansys HFSS.

Responsibilities

• Perform RF/MW circuit design and module development from DC to millimeter-wave frequencies.
• Design RF/microwave circuit cards, power amplifiers, receivers, and frequency converters.
• Conduct RF cascaded analysis, link budgets, simulations, and hardware evaluation.
• Create schematics with Altium, BOMs, and PCB layouts including RF routing.
• Generate test procedures, reports, and data analysis; maintain traceability for antenna systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to capture opportunities and proposals.

Skills

RF circuit design

High-frequency PCB

Antenna design

RF test equipment

Matlab

HFSS

HW/SW integration

Communication skills

Education

BS degree

Master's degree

Tools

Altium

Microwave Office

Ansys HFSS

Job description

Description

The Defense Systems group at Leidos currently has an opening for a Principal RF Antenna System Engineer to work in our St. Petersburg, FL office. The Leidos facility in St. Petersburg provides design, development, modeling and simulation, analysis, prototyping and testing of advanced electronic systems, with a focus on embedded communication systems, Software Defined Radios and Phased Array Antenna Systems to various DOD and commercial customers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform research, design, and development of electrical equipment and systems.
• Design various RF/Microwave circuit card assemblies and modules including power amplifiers, front end receivers, frequency conversions, filters, and switches from DC to milli-meter wave frequencies
• Perform RF cascaded analysis, link budget, simulation, and hardware evaluation
• Create design schematic using Altium design tool, BOM, and layout requirements for printed wiring board, layer stack-up, component placements, and RF routing
• Generate test procedures/plans, test reports, RF requirements & specifications, and data analysis/presentation
• Perform requirements management & traceability for various antenna systems
• Perform phased array antenna measurements in near and far field ranges
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers
• Contribute to future capture/pursuit opportunities, including white papers, RFI responses, or proposal of technical volumes

Basic Qualifications

• Candidate must be a US citizen and able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance
• Requires BS degree and 10 years minimum of prior relevant experience or Masters with 8 years of prior relevant experience
• Must be well-versed in the following: RF/MW circuit design, high frequency & high-power multilayer PCB-based design, receiver & frequency converter system design including frequency planning & spur analysis, knowledge of various RF components, and knowledge of basic antenna design
• Experience in testing RF parameters and use of RF test equipment including network analysis, spectrum analysis, power meter, frequency source, digital scope, and others.
• Proficient in using Matlab and RF simulation tools such as Microwave Office and Ansys HFSS.
• Experience in HW integration and corresponding HW & SW integration.
• Excellent communication skills- oral and written.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Security Clearance.
• Experienced in phased array antennas and software defined radio (SDR) designs for communication systems.
• Design experience and collaboration across multiple engineering disciplines, such as digital, mechanical, software/firmware, and manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with the following:
  • Hardware design (RF, digital, and analog) to include printed wiring board (PWB) layout, schematic, and wide knowledge of PWB fabrication process and methodologies.
  • Design life cycles and various environmental requirements
  • Antenna measurement and in using nearfield antenna range
• Troubleshooting RF subsystems

Original Posting

September 9, 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

$107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.