Research Faculty Open Rank, Spectrum Dominance

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech’s Spectrum Dominance Division in Blacksburg is seeking a Research Associate or Research Scientist. The role focuses on RF software/hardware development, SDRs, and real‑time RF ML projects, with open rank and flexible duties based on background.

The position requires US citizenship, ability to obtain a security clearance, and a degree in engineering with hands‑on coding in Python and C++. Rank will be determined by experience, and travel to sponsor sites may be required.

Qualifications

• US citizen due to sponsor requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Bachelor’s with professional experience or Master’s in EE/CE.
• Experience in Python and C++ for RF applications.

Responsibilities

• Support RF software/hardware development on 2-3 research efforts.
• Support internal communications and milestones via status updates and code reviews.
• Prepare final deliverables including documentation and publications.
• Contribute to RF domains such as SIGINT, RADAR, and cellular as portfolio evolves.
• Engage with sponsors through briefings and occasional travel.

Skills

Python

C++

RF development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master in EE/CE

Tools

GNU Radio

FPGAs

Embedded systems

RF test equipment

Job description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) was formed in 2021 with the aspiration to become the nation’s preeminent academic organization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research, technology, policy, and talent development to advance national security. The Institute grew from the Hume Center, which was launched in 2010 thanks to an endowment from Ted and Karyn Hume. VTNSI is a national leader in advancing security and resilience through innovative and applied research, empowering the next generation of experts, and building strategic alliances to address evolving national security challenges. We bring together exceptional interdisciplinary faculty, unique research infrastructure, and deep partnerships with industry and government sponsors to execute impactful research and development.

The Spectrum Dominance Division has an opening for a Research Associate or Research Scientist at its office in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Spectrum Dominance Division (SDD) within VTNSI is home to 30 full-time faculty researchers with focus areas in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, and applied mathematics. SDD’s portfolio reaches across all aspects of the radio frequency transmit/receive chain, including antenna and phased array design, baseband waveform design, and receiver design. SDD houses domain expertise in SDR development, AI/ML applied to the radio frequency (RF) spectrum (i.e., RFML), SIGINT, RADAR, cellular, electromagnetic materials, cognitive radio, and additive manufacturing. The hiring rank of this position will be based on the candidates’ background and experience.

While engaging in cutting‑edge RF research, SDD has a particular focus on TRL 3-6 R&D, acting as the bridge from fundamental research on campus to prototypes for government and commercial sponsors. A particular strength is real‑time RF system development leveraging in‑house FPGA, GPU, and SDR platforms. Importantly, SDD has successfully transitioned multiple capabilities for real‑time RF machine learning, automotive cybersecurity, and radar threat warning models.

Validation of SDD products is accomplished in VTNSI’s state‑of‑the‑art 5,000 sq. ft. of wireless testing and lab spaces as well as the Counter‑UAS Testing and Research Center (CTRC), between them housing SDR testbeds, two RF anechoic chambers, and high‑end measurement equipment (e.g. spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, etc.) supporting bands up to 110 GHz. These capabilities complement a nearly $10M investment in secure computing infrastructure, housing expansive GPU and CPU clusters.

Motivated applicants are sought to help support SDD’s rapid portfolio growth in our radio frequency portfolio and will be expected to:

• Support radio frequency software/hardware development (based on background and/or interests) on 2-3 simultaneous team‑based research efforts.
• Support project internal communications and milestones through oral/written status updates and/or code review.
• Support project final deliverables through code documentation, user guides, final reports, and/or academic publications.
• Have flexibility and adaptability to work on different radio frequency application areas such as signals intelligence, waveform design, RADAR, electromagnetics, cellular, etc. (depending on current division project portfolio).
• Have a willingness to engage with sponsors through occasional oral briefings and demonstrations, virtually and occasional travel to sponsor sites.

This is an open‑rank search with the Research Professional track. Final rank level and job duties will be determined based on the candidate’s background, skills and experience.

Required Qualifications

• Given the nature of the research conducted and the requirements from federal sponsors, the candidate must be a US citizen.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• An earned Bachelor’s with professional experience or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated background in software/hardware development for radio frequency applications, with Python and C++ being the division’s primary development languages.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience with real‑time radio frequency hardware/software systems, such as software‑defined radios (SDRs), GNU Radio, 5G/6G/O‑RAN testbeds (OAI, srsRAN, and OCUDU), FPGAs, and/or embedded systems
• Knowledge or experience with assembling RF systems and measuring performance with commercial test equipment (e.g. vector network analyzers, RF signal generators, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers, and/or real‑time oscilloscopes)
• Experience or basic knowledge of antenna systems such as directivity, gain, impedance, VSWR, S‑parameters, polarization, frequency response, and/or beam patterns
• knowledge or experience working on team‑based software development projects using appropriate version control software tools such as Git.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

90,000 - 160,000 depending on rank and experience level

Review Date

October 5, 2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our work, all candidates must be US citizens with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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