Radio Frequency Engineer/Spectrum Engineer (C-UAS)

Leidos; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Washington, DC is seeking an RF Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support FAA Spectrum Engineering Services in a hybrid role that requires on-site work in a SCIF.

The candidate will perform RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC analysis, and geospatial assessments to support C-UAS testing and NAS safety. U.S. citizenship and DoD Secret clearance are required, with on-site duties in Washington, DC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Conduct RF spectrum compatibility and interference analyses of C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including frequency deconfliction, RF propagation, and geospatial analysis to identify potential NAS impacts.
• Evaluate FAA/test/operational requests, review parameters, determine required analyses, and support C-UAS testing and evaluation.
• Assess NAS impacts and develop mitigation recommendations using RF modeling, spectrum data, maps, and charts.
• Prepare and process Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests using AFM or similar tools.
• Use RF engineering tools and databases (TCAT, GMF) to perform circle searches and RF compatibility assessments.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, briefings, and documentation for stakeholders.

Skills

RF engineering

EMI/EMC analysis

Interference analysis

RF propagation

Geospatial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Formal spectrum management course

Tools

TCAT

GMF

AFM

Job description

Description

Leidos’ NISC IV program is seeking a Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer/Spectrum Engineer to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-194) in the area of National Defense and Electronic Attack.

The ideal candidate will have experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, and/or geospatial analysis. The engineer will provide technical engineering and spectrum management support to evaluate Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) test, training, and operational activities for potential impacts to the National Airspace System (NAS). Prior C-UAS experience is highly desirable but not required.

This is a hybrid position requiring regular on-site presence in Washington DC to access a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and perform work involving classified information.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct RF spectrum compatibility and interference analyses of C-UAS detection and mitigation systems, including frequency deconfliction, RF propagation, and geospatial analysis, to identify potential impacts to FAA and National Airspace System (NAS) communications, navigation, surveillance, and other safety-critical systems.




• Evaluate C-UAS test, training, and operational requests submitted by FAA and interagency partners, review technical parameters for completeness, determine required engineering analyses, and provide technical support for FAA C-UAS testing and evaluation activities.




• Assess NAS impacts and develop mitigation recommendations using RF modeling and simulation tools, spectrum databases, geographic information, aeronautical charts, and other engineering data. Identify appropriate technical controls such as frequency, power, geographic, or operational restrictions necessary to protect FAA/NAS systems.




• Prepare and process Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests using the Automatic Frequency Manager system to support temporary C-UAS spectrum operations.




• Utilize RF spectrum engineering tools and databases, including the Technical Compatibility and Analysis Tool (TCAT) and Government Master File (GMF), to perform circle searches, transmitter/receiver analyses, Desired-to-Undesired (D/U) signal ratio calculations, and other RF compatibility assessments.




• Prepare technical reports, white papers, briefings, and engineering documentation communicating analysis results, spectrum impacts, mitigation recommendations, and other technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline, completion of a formal spectrum management course, or equivalent military education and experience.




• 2+ years of relevant experience in RF/spectrum engineering, EMI/EMC and interference analysis, RF propagation/modeling, geospatial analysis, frequency coordination, or spectrum management.




• Experience reviewing and interpreting RF technical specifications and engineering data, including frequencies, bandwidths, power levels, antenna and emission characteristics, receiver characteristics, and geographic operating parameters.




• Ability to perform technical analysis to identify potential RF interference, spectrum compatibility, or frequency deconfliction issues between systems operating within the same or adjacent frequency bands.




• Experience using RF/spectrum engineering, modeling and simulation, propagation analysis, GIS/geospatial, or other technical analysis tools.




• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop technically supportable recommendations.




• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information to engineering, program management, government, and other stakeholders.




• Must be a U.S. citizenship and possess and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance or able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Preferred but Not Required

• Experience with RF spectrum management, spectrum compatibility analysis, frequency assignment/coordination, or spectrum certification in a federal government, military, aviation, telecommunications, or similar environment.




• Knowledge or experience with Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), electronic warfare, radar, RF detection systems, or RF-based mitigation technologies.




• Familiarity with FAA National Airspace System (NAS) infrastructure and Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems.




• Knowledge of federal spectrum management regulations, policies, and processes, including NTIA and FCC requirements, the NTIA Manual and frequency assignment and protection practices.




• Experience reviewing spectrum certification and equipment allocation documentation, including DD Form 1494, Joint Frequency Allocation (J/F-12) documentation, Spectrum Reports, or similar RF technical documentation.




• Experience using federal spectrum management databases or systems such as the Government Master File (GMF), Automatic Frequency Manager (AFM), or similar frequency management databases and tools.




• Experience using aeronautical charts, GIS, or other geospatial information to evaluate potential RF, operational, or aviation impacts.




• Experience coordinating spectrum or technical matters with federal agencies and interagency organizations, such as the FAA, NTIA, FCC, DoD, DHS, DOJ, or the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC).




• Experience preparing Special Temporary Authorization (STA) requests or other temporary frequency authorization/coordination documentation.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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.