Radio Frequency Engineer

Fathom 4, LLC; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fathom 4, LLC is seeking an RF Systems Engineer to join the engineering team in Charleston, SC. You will analyze, design, integrate, and test RF communications and C5ISR systems for DoD customers, supporting full lifecycle activities from requirements through deployment and sustainment on shore and mobile platforms.

You will collaborate with government engineers, program offices, and external stakeholders, producing technical reports, briefs, and test documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering with RF coursework or equivalent professional RF experience.
• ABET accreditation requirement for engineering degrees; technology degrees do not qualify.

Responsibilities

• Engineer RF systems for DoD communications and C5ISR platforms.
• Perform RF analyses including link budgets, propagation, interference, and antenna selection.
• Support RF integration, site surveys, and installation design for RF distribution.
• Plan and conduct RF tests and troubleshoot with lab and field equipment; document results.
• Support EMI/EMC and spectrum supportability activities.
• Develop and review requirements, drawings, test procedures, and reports.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Link budgets

Schematics interpretation

Technical communication

Analytical problem solving

DoD cybersecurity familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering

ABET-accredited program

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Signal generators

Power meters

RF simulation software

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Security Clearance Statement:

This position requires a government security clearance; you must be a US Citizen for consideration.

Summary

Works as part of an engineering team to analyze, design, integrate, and test radio frequency (RF) communications and C5ISR systems for DoD customers. Supports the full system lifecycle, from requirements and RF analysis through installation, test, and sustainment at shore sites and on mobile and fixed platforms. Collaborates with government engineers, program offices, and external stakeholders, and prepares technical reports, briefs, and test documentation. May provide technical direction to junior engineers and technicians.

Responsibilities

• RF systems engineering for military communications systems (e.g., HF/VHF/UHF, SATCOM, line-of-sight data links, and tactical radios).
• Perform RF analyses including link budgets, propagation and coverage studies, interference analysis, and antenna selection and placement.
• Support RF integration, installation, and site surveys, including antenna, transmission line, and RF distribution design.
• Plan and conduct RF test and troubleshooting using laboratory and field test equipment; document results and recommend corrective actions.
• Support electromagnetic interference / electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC) and spectrum supportability activities.
• Develop and review technical documentation, including requirements, design and installation drawings, test procedures, and reports.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical and Computer Engineering, with coursework or a concentration in RF, microwave, electromagnetics, antennas, or communications systems. Candidates without formal RF coursework will be considered if they have equivalent professional RF engineering experience.
• Engineering degrees shall be from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program (see www.abet.org). Note: Technology degrees do not qualify as Engineering or Physical Science Degrees.

Experience

• We will entertain varying years of professional engineering experience involving hands-on design, analysis, integration, or test of RF communications systems or components.
• Practical experience with standard RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal generators, and power meters.
• Experience with RF simulation software and setting up and conducting studies.

CLEARANCE

• Current active Secret, with reasonable expectation of eligibility for a TS/SCI with CI Polygraph clearance in the future.

Required Skills

• Solid working knowledge of RF fundamentals: transmission lines, impedance matching, antennas, noise, modulation, and propagation.
• Ability to perform and document link budgets and RF performance calculations.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, block diagrams, and installation drawings.
• Understanding of test, verification, and system integration within a systems engineering context.
• Ability to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, translating complex technical issues into clear recommendations and actionable tasks.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to learn new systems and tools quickly.
• Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity and configuration management practices.

LOCATION

• The work location is on-site at North Charleston, SC, with 10-20% travel expected for site surveys, installations, and testing. Some travel may be OCONUS.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE (these Are a Plus)

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with an RF, microwave, or communications focus.
• RF modeling and simulation tools (e.g., Keysight ADS, Ansys HFSS, CST Studio, MATLAB/Simulink) or propagation/coverage tools (e.g., Remcom Wireless InSite, ATDI HTZ, or similar).
• Experience with SATCOM terminals (e.g., MUOS, commercial Ku/Ka-band) or tactical data links (e.g., Link 16).
• Software-defined radio (SDR) experience (e.g., GNU Radio, Ettus USRP) or scripting for test automation (e.g., Python).
• EMI/EMC testing experience, including familiarity with MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-464.
• Shipboard, vehicle, or shore-site C5ISR installation experience, including NAVSEA or NIWC installation processes.
• Electronic Warfare (EW), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), or spectrum management experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fathom 4, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.