Research Scientist - Software Defined Radio

Peraton; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton Labs in Maryland seeks a poly-cleared Senior Research Scientist to design, prototype, and evaluate SDR-based capabilities for advanced wireless and cyber experimentation. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission-focused prototypes from research concepts to operational capabilities.

The role requires on-site work near College Park, MD, with opportunities to lead DoD/IC research efforts and present findings through briefs, reports, and publications.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 4+ years with a Master’s, or 2+ years with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
• 2+ years hands-on experience developing Software Defined Radio solutions
• Strong understanding of RF systems, wireless communications, digital signal processing, and SDR architectures
• Experience with SDR hardware such as USRP/Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar platforms
• Experience working in Linux-based development environments
• Ability to develop, test, troubleshoot, and document research prototypes
• Experience developing SDR or wireless communications using C/C++, Python, GNU Radio, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts and research results to stakeholders
• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position
• This position requires an active/current TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, prototype, and test Software Defined Radio capabilities for wireless communications and networking systems
• Research and implement signal processing, waveform, protocol, and radio frequency techniques to support mission-focused experimentation
• Develop SDR applications and prototypes using tools such as GNU Radio, UHD/USRP, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar
• Work with commercial and open-source SDR platforms, including USRP, Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar
• Support wireless protocol research, analysis, implementation, and experimentation across systems such as LTE, 5G, WiFi, SATCOM, MANET, tactical radio, or custom waveform environments
• Integrate SDR capabilities with Linux-based systems, networking environments, containers, testbeds, and cyber experimentation platforms
• Conduct lab-based testing, field testing, performance analysis, data collection, and troubleshooting of RF and SDR systems
• Analyze wireless signals, protocol behavior, RF performance, and systems teams to integrate SDR capabilities into larger prototypes
• Communicate findings, technical approaches, and prototype results through customer briefings, technical reports, whitepapers, or publications

Skills

RF systems understanding

Wireless communications

Digital signal processing

SDR architectures

C/C++ programming

Python programming

GNU Radio

MATLAB/Simulink

Strong communication skills

DoD/IC research leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field

Master’s degree in a related technical field

Ph.D. in a related field

Tools

GNU Radio

UHD/USRP

Python

MATLAB

Simulink

C/C++

Job description

Required qualifications

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 4+ years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 2+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field or related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 10+ years.
• 2+ years hands-on experience developing Software Defined Radio solutions
• Strong understanding of RF systems, wireless communications, digital signal processing, and SDR architectures
• Experience with SDR hardware such as USRP/Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar platforms
• Experience working in Linux-based development environments
• Ability to develop, test, troubleshoot, and document research prototypes
• Experience developing SDR or wireless communications using C/C++, Python, GNU Radio, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts and research results to stakeholders
• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position
• This position requires an active/current TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

Desired Additional Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field is preferred
• Experience with LTE, 5G, WiFi, SATCOM, MANET, tactical radio systems, mesh networking, or custom waveform development
• Knowledge of OpenAirInterface, srsRAN/srsLTE, Open5Gs, free5GC, Amarisoft, or similar wireless/telecom stacks
• Experience with LTE or 5G standards, including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, NAS, or core network interfaces
• Experience with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, vector signal analyzers, channel emulators, or RF front-end equipment
• Experience with DSP concepts such as modulation/demodulation, synchronization, filtering, channel estimation, equalization, coding, detection, and signal classification
• Experience with RFML, wireless security, protocol reverse engineering, electronic warfare, spectrum sensing, interference analysis, or RF cyber research
• Experience integrating SDR capabilities into containers, Kubernetes, virtualized environments, cyber ranges, or network experimentation testbeds.
• Experience with test automation, data analysis, and experiment orchestration using Python or similar tools
• Experience contributing to proposals, whitepapers, technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, or customer-facing research briefings
• Ability to serve as a technical lead or principal investigator on DoD/IC research efforts

Peraton Labs is seeking a poly cleared Senior Research Scientist to support cleared research and development efforts for a Maryland-based customer. This role will focus on designing, developing, prototyping, and evaluating SDR-based capabilities for advanced wireless communications, networking, cyber operations, and experimentation platforms.At Peraton Labs, you will work on mission-focused R&D efforts that move from research concepts to working prototypes and operationally relevant capabilities. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, and customer stakeholders to solve complex problems involving wireless systems, signal processing, protocol analysis, networked communications, and secure communications environments.

This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer site near College Park, MD.

Key responsibilities may include

• Design, develop, prototype, and test Software Defined Radio capabilities for wireless communications and networking systems
• Research and implement signal processing, waveform, protocol, and radio frequency techniques to support mission-focused experimentation
• Develop SDR applications and prototypes using tools such as GNU Radio, UHD/USRP, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, Simulink, or similar
• Work with commercial and open-source SDR platforms, including USRP, Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar
• Support wireless protocol research, analysis, implementation, and experimentation across systems such as LTE, 5G, WiFi, SATCOM, MANET, tactical radio, or custom waveform environments
• Integrate SDR capabilities with Linux-based systems, networking environments, containers, testbeds, and cyber experimentation platforms
• Conduct lab-based testing, field testing, performance analysis, data collection, and troubleshooting of RF and SDR systems
• Analyze wireless signals, protocol behavior, RF performance, and systems teams to integrate SDR capabilities into larger prototypes
• Communicate findings, technical approaches, and prototype results through customer briefings, technical reports, whitepapers, or publications

*This position may be eligible for an increased sign-on bonus. Eligibility, bonus amount, and applicable terms and conditions will be discussed during the recruiting process*

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