RF Communications Systems Engineer – End-to-End RF Sensing

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Competitive retirement contributions

Sign-on/relocation benefits

Generous paid time off and work-life

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an RF Communications Systems Engineer to analyze link budgets, RF propagation, and system requirements for advanced sensing and communication platforms. You will collaborate with embedded/FPGA teams to turn concepts into deployable capabilities.

Applicants should have 5+ years in RF engineering, solid MATLAB/Python/C++ skills, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance with US citizenship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in RF engineering, RF hardware design, or RF systems engineering.
• Deep understanding of signals and systems and digital communications (modulation, estimation, detection) with link budgets, RF propagation analysis, and system requirements translation.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar languages for model development.
• Ability to independently investigate complex technical problems and develop solutions.
• Must be able to obtain Secret clearance by start date and pursue TS/SCI; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze wireless communication systems by developing link budgets and modeling RF propagation and channel effects.
• Evaluate system performance to derive transmitter, receiver, and system design requirements.
• Analyze systems, waveforms, and protocols to characterize operation and develop new approaches.
• Contribute to algorithm, hardware, software, and SDR development from concept through test.
• Plan and conduct field evaluations to validate performance and improve designs.
• Collaborate with sponsors and engineering teams to translate challenges into technical requirements and field-ready solutions.

Skills

RF systems engineering

Signal processing

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Link budgets

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Physics/CS

Master's or PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Simulink

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an RF Communications Systems Engineer to analyze link budgets, RF propagation, and system requirements for advanced sensing and communication platforms. You will collaborate with embedded/FPGA teams to turn concepts into deployable capabilities.

Applicants should have 5+ years in RF engineering, solid MATLAB/Python/C++ skills, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance with US citizenship.