Research Electrical Engineer I or II, MSD

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech’s National Security Institute seeks a hands-on Research Engineer II to build and integrate electrical and RF subsystems for cutting-edge research testbeds in Blacksburg. You will support lab work, PCB layout, and collaboration with senior researchers across multiple disciplines.

The role requires US citizenship, ability to obtain a security clearance, and hands-on hardware experience. A BS/MS in Electrical/Computer Engineering is expected, with PCB design and lab fabrication skills

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen required due to federal sponsor.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Hands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting electrical or RF hardware.
• Proficiency with tools germane to the field of research.
• Ability to work effectively in a team on research projects.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or related field.
• Ability to lift and move at least 25 pounds; able to navigate in labs and field settings.

Responsibilities

• Build, integrate, and test electrical and RF subsystems for research testbeds.
• Support researchers with RF hardware development, design drawings, and PCB layout.
• Contribute to proposal teams and business development within the Mission Systems Division.
• Author technical documentation including design drawings, test procedures, and test reports.

Skills

RF hardware

Electrical engineering

Teamwork

Schematic capture

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Master’s degree or significant post‑degree experience

Tools

Altium Designer

KiCad

MATLAB

HFSS

CST MicrowaveStudio

Job description

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) was formed in2021 with the aspiration to become the nation’s preeminent academicorganization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research,technology, policy, and talent development to advance nationalsecurity. The Institute grew from the Hume Center, which waslaunched in 2010 thanks to an endowment from Ted and KarynHume.

VTNSI is a national leader in advancing security and resiliencethrough innovative and applied research, empowering the nextgeneration of experts, and building strategic alliances to addressevolving national security challenges. We bring togetherexceptional interdisciplinary faculty, unique researchinfrastructure, and deep partnerships with industry and governmentsponsors to execute impactful research and development.

This is a research and development position based in Blacksburg,Virginia, and is part of the Institute’s Mission Systems Division(MSD). MSD brings together researchers from aerospace and oceansystems engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering,systems engineering, computer science, AI/ML, and other fields todevelop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technologicalchallenges in platforms including satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and droneswarms. This position is for a hands-on electrical engineer whowill build and integrate the electrical and RF subsystems thatenable the division’s research testbeds. The successful candidatewill spend much of their time in the laboratory and in the field:fabricating and assembling hardware, building cables and harnesses,laying out and populating printed circuit boards, producing designdrawings, and standing up and maintaining test infrastructure. Thecandidate will also serve as a hands-on resource for seniorresearchers across the division who are developing RF hardware,design drawings, and PCB layout. The successful candidate canexpect a competitive salary and benefits in a universitysetting.

This role will primarily support the Counter-UAS Test and ResearchCenter and the Space Domain Awareness portfolios.

Successful applicants will have an interest in and some exposure toareas such as:

• Electrical and RF hardware prototyping: Assembly and soldering(through-hole and surface-mount), cable and harness fabrication,and integration of components into chassis and enclosures.
• PCB design and layout: Schematic capture and board layout usingtools such as Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle, and working withfabrication and assembly vendors.
• Design drawings and documentation: Creating and maintainingelectrical schematics, wiring diagrams, interface controldocuments, and assembly drawings.
• RF measurements and testing: Proficiency with RF test equipment,including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators,and oscilloscopes, performing measurements like VSWR, return loss,S-parameters, power, and noise figure.
• Subsystem integration and test: Integrating COTS and customhardware, including radios, power systems, sensors, and embeddedcomputers, into testbeds, and troubleshooting at the component,board, and system levels.
• Embedded and cyber physical systems: Familiarity withmicrocontrollers, single-board computers, and common hardwareinterfaces such as serial, Ethernet, SPI/I2C, and CAN.
• Test automation and scripting: Use of Python, MATLAB, or similartools for instrument control, data collection, and analysis.
• Laboratory practices: ESD-safe handling, equipment calibration,electrical and RF safety, and configuration management of hardwareand laboratory assets.

Specific responsibilities for this position include thefollowing:

• Build, integrate, and test electrical and RF subsystems thatenable research testbeds in support of university-sponsoredprograms;
• Support researchers across the division with hands-on RF hardwaredevelopment, design drawings, and PCB layout;
• Support the development of new funded research programs byparticipating in proposal teams and supporting the businessdevelopment activities of the Mission Systems Division;
• Author technical documentation including design drawings, testprocedures, and test reports.

In addition, Research Engineer II candidates will:

• Provide guidance to junior engineers/developers and students onresearch projects
• Provide oversight of junior engineers/developers

Required Qualifications

All candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Given the nature of the research conducted and requirements fromthe federal sponsor, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a securityclearance.
• Hands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshootingelectrical or RF hardware.
• Proficiency with the tools germane to the field ofresearch.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executingupon research projects.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, ComputerEngineering, or an adjacent engineering discipline.
• Ability to lift and move 25 pounds or mor of equipment; abilityto climb, stoop, bend, squat and traverse on uneven terrain.

In addition, for Research Engineer II:

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering,or an adjacent engineering discipline, or Bachelor’s degree andsignificant post‑degree experience and relevantcertifications
• Experience designing, fabricating, integrating, andtroubleshooting electrical or RF hardware.
• Proficiency with the tools germane to the field ofresearch.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance
• Experience integrating building hardware
• Experience with electrical and RF design and simulation tools(e.g. Altium Designer, KiCad, MATLAB, HFSS, CST MicrowaveStudio.)
• Experience supporting laboratory or field test campaigns foraerospace, maritime, or wireless systems

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Between $80,000 - $100,000, depending on level and commensurateexperience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

September 14, 2026

Additional Information

This recruitment is expected to fill multiple positions. Due to thenature of our work, the successful candidates must be US citizenswith the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminalconviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presenceacross Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sitesin Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution,Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in researchannually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire anaccommodation, please contact Alex Tuuri [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10business days prior to the event.