Radio Frequency (RF) Systems Integration and Test Engineer

Leidos; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking a Satellite System RF Systems Integration and Test Engineer to support WAAS-related ground station upgrades. This hands-on role involves RF testing, integration, and field support, with occasional travel to remote sites.

The position requires a strong RF/analog background, the ability to interpret schematics, and a 24/7 readiness mindset. Hybrid work is offered with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 4–8 years of RF testing/t troubleshooting experience, or 8+ years hands-on in RF/analog testing.
• Experience testing and troubleshooting RF/analog circuits and subsystems for satellite ground station equipment.
• Experience in building and testing RF cables; experience with data/signal cables (Ethernet, Mil-Spec, etc.).
• Ability to interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures; strong documentation skills.
• Willingness to respond to operational issues on a 24/7/365 basis.

Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7/365 remote restoration support during system failures at offsite locations.
• Test and characterize RF components and subassemblies to verify performance.
• Support design, development, integration, and testing of satellite ground station equipment.
• Travel 1–2 times per year for maintenance, inventories, and upgrades.
• Develop and maintain engineering docs, BOMs, and test procedures.

Skills

RF testing

Analog circuits

SATCOM

System integration

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Power Meters

Oscilloscopes

Signal Generators

Job description

Description

Leidos Homeland Sector Air Traffic Systems is seeking a Satellite System Radio Frequency (RF) Systems Integration and Test Engineer in Gaithersburg, MD to support the GEO7 Service Lease Program (G7SL) which provides 24/7/365 operational support to the FAA’s Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The position’s responsibilities include operational support of satellite navigation uplink systems, managing depot repair activities, maintaining the lab infrastructure, and designing, prototyping, installing and testing system upgrades. A little bit of everything for the hand-on person who likes to turn a screwdriver or a wrench to fix, build, and test electronic equipment and systems.

Hybrid in office - 3 days in office/2 days remote

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7/365 remote restoration support during system failures at offsite locations

• Perform testing and characterization of RF components and subassemblies to verify performance against design requirements and technical documentation.

• Provide hands‑on technical support in the design, development, integration, and testing of satellite communications ground station equipment.

• Travel to remote sites 1-2 times per year to complete preventive maintenance action, conduct inventories, and install/verify system upgrades or other testing activities.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of engineering documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, schematics, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).

• Support laboratory test activities, including setup, calibration, data collection, and documentation of results.

• Troubleshoot hardware issues at the subsystem and unit level, working closely with engineers to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

• Conduct depot operations to include evaluation of failed hardware, coordination of repairs with vendor or OEM, shipping/receiving, tracking hardware location and status.

• Maintain lab equipment and environment ensuring proper configuration and handling of RF test instrumentation.

• Complete Annual Obsolescence Study to identify/replace program baseline Line Replaceable Units (LRU’s) that are no longer available from OEM.

• Develop and update block diagrams, cable drawings and other technical documentation to support the program.

Basic Qualifications:

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, or a related field with 4- 8 years of relevant experience, or 8+ years of hands‑on experience in RF and analog circuit troubleshooting and testing in lieu of a degree.

• Experience testing and troubleshooting RF and analog circuits and subsystems with emphasis on Satellite Ground Station Equipment to include Upconverters, Downconverters, Low-Noise Amplifiers, Klystron Power Amplifiers, Satcom Antennas, Satellite Tracking Systems and transmission lines

• Experience in building and testing RF cables

• Experience in building and testing data and other signal communications cables (i.e. Ethernet, D-Sub miniature, Mil-Spec circular, etc.)

• Ability to interpret technical documentation such as schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to document test results accurately.

• Willingness to respond to operational issues on a 24/7/365 basis

• Experience with Radio Frequency Test and Measurement equipment to include Spectrum/Signal Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Power Meters, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators and other basic electrical and electronic test equipment

• Experience with the safe usage of basic hand and power tools

• Basic soldering skills

• Knowledge of standard serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-422, etc.)

• Occasional CONUS travel will be required (4 to 5 weeks per year)

• Ability to work in a small team environment and work independently with minimal guidance

• Ability to lift and install electronic components in operational and lab environments

• Ability to climb Antenna structures

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Power Point and VISIO

Preferred Qualifications:
Candidates with these additional desired skills will be given preferential consideration

Desired:

• Software: MATLAB, LabVIEW, AI tools

• Cisco Networking Certifications (CCST, CCNA, CCNP)

Clearance Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizenship required.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust

• Active Public Trust or higher clearance is strongly preferred.

• Ability to comply with all program-specific security requirements, including handling of Sensitive Unclassified Information (SUI)

Target salary for this position is up to $110K per year

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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.