RF Hardware Engineer

Socket.dev; Maryland; On-site; USD 99,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI is seeking a Radio Systems / RF Hardware Engineer to own the full hardware lifecycle from architecture to testing. You will develop RF front ends, digital processing hardware, and embedded components while coordinating with software, FPGA, cybersecurity, and systems teams.

Responsibilities include leading RF hardware design, rapid prototyping, and integration for critical missions. A TS/SCI clearance and 7+ years related experience are required; travel up to 25% locally may be involved.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• BA/BS or equivalent experience with 7+ years in related work.
• Experience with RF communication systems or radio hardware.
• Strong RF fundamentals including signal chains, filtering, impedance matching, and link budgets.
• Experience in analog/digital circuit design and PCB-level hardware.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or embedded Linux.
• FPGA experience with Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL.
• Experience integrating embedded processors, FPGAs, RF transceivers, ADCs/DACs.
• Hands-on experience with RF test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, logic analyzers).
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware at component, board, and system levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and integration of custom radio and RF hardware for national security missions.
• Collaborate across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded systems to create new communications capabilities.
• Prototype solutions rapidly to meet advanced mission requirements and troubleshoot hardware across levels.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Analog/digital design

Troubleshooting RF hardware

Python

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Test & measurement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL

FPGA development

RF front ends / transceivers

Oscilloscopes / spectrum analyzers / VNAs

PCB design

Job description

Job Title: RF Hardware Engineer
Job Category: Engineering
Time Type: Full time
Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI
Employee Type: Regular
Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25%
Type of Travel: Local

The Opportunity:

As a Radio Systems / RF Hardware Engineer, you'll provide hands‑on engineering expertise across the full radio development lifecycle, from architecture and component selection through circuit design, FPGA integration, board bring‑up, and RF characterization. You'll develop and integrate RF front ends, digital processing hardware, and embedded components while using laboratory test equipment to evaluate and troubleshoot system performance. You'll collaborate with embedded software, FPGA, cybersecurity, and systems engineering personnel to develop and mature custom radio capabilities for sophisticated operational environments.

Responsibilities:

Lead the design, development, and integration of custom radio and RF hardware supporting critical national security missions. You'll work across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded systems to develop new communications capabilities, troubleshoot complex hardware, and rapidly prototype solutions for advanced mission requirements.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Typically has a University Degree (BA/BS) or equivalent experience and minimum 7 years of related work
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, or troubleshooting RF communication systems or radio hardware.
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals, including signal chains, filtering, amplification, frequency conversion, impedance matching, noise, and link budgets.
• Experience with analog/digital circuit design and PCB-level hardware development.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or embedded Linux.
• Experience developing or integrating FPGA-based systems using Verilog, SystemVerilog, or VHDL.
• Experience integrating embedded processors, FPGAs, RF transceivers, ADCs/DACs, or similar devices.
• Hands‑on experience with RF and electronics test equipment such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, and logic analyzers.
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware at the component, board, and system levels.

Desired:

• Experience designing a radio or RF transceiver from the board/component level, not solely integrating commercial radios.
• Experience with software‑defined radios, RF transceiver ICs, RF front ends, PLLs, mixers, LNAs, PAs, and filters
• Experience implementing DSP functions in FPGA logic, including filtering, FFTs, modulation/demodulation, or digital up/down conversion.
• Experience with RF/mixed‑signal PCB design, controlled impedance, grounding, shielding, signal integrity, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Experience with RFSoC, SoC FPGA, high‑speed ADC/DAC interfaces, or similar architectures.
• Experience with communications, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, SIGINT, radar, or other RF‑intensive defense applications.
• Experience rapidly prototyping and debugging custom RF or embedded hardware

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you'll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer's missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You'll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range:

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$99,300 - 208,600 USD CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.