Research Scientist - Software Defined Radio

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening); College Park (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton Labs seeks a poly cleared Senior Research Scientist to design, prototype, and evaluate SDR-based capabilities for advanced wireless and cyber experimentation in Maryland. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to move concepts to working prototypes, solving RF, signal processing, and networking challenges on Linux-based platforms.

The role involves hands-on development with GNU Radio, USRP, Python, C/C++, MATLAB, and Simulink, plus field testing and customer briefings.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 4+ years with a Master's, or 2+ years with a Ph.D. in a related field.
• 2+ years hands-on experience developing Software Defined Radio solutions
• Strong understanding of RF systems, wireless communications, DSP, and SDR architectures
• Experience with SDR hardware such as USRP/Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR
• Experience working in Linux-based development environments
• Ability to develop, test, troubleshoot, and document research prototypes
• Experience developing SDR or wireless with C/C++, Python, GNU Radio, MATLAB, Simulink
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to stakeholders
• US Citizenship required; TS/SCI w/ Polygraph active/required

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, prototype, and test SDR capabilities for wireless and networking systems
• Research and implement signal processing, waveform, protocol, and RF techniques for experiments
• Develop SDR applications using Python, C/C++, GNU Radio, MATLAB, or Simulink
• Work with USRP, Ettus, HackRF, BladeRF, LimeSDR, or similar hardware
• Support wireless protocol research across LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, SATCOM, MANET, or custom waveforms
• Integrate SDR with Linux, networks, containers, testbeds, and cyber experimentation platforms
• Conduct lab and field testing, data collection, and RF system troubleshooting
• Analyze wireless signals and protocol behavior; prepare technical reports and briefings
• Present findings and prototype results to customers

Skills

RF systems

Wireless communications

Digital signal processing

SDR architectures

Linux development

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Simulink

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6+ years

Master's degree + 4+ years

Ph.D. + 2+ years

Tools

USRP/Ettus

HackRF

BladeRF

LimeSDR

GNU Radio

UHD/USRP

Job description

Responsibilities

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, Wi-Fi, 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.

#MDFSP

#PLABS26

Qualifications

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 Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.All