RF Hardware Engineer

CACI International Inc; Maryland; On-site; USD 99,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI International Inc is seeking an RF Hardware Engineer to lead the design and integration of custom radio and RF hardware for high-security missions. You will work across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded domains to prototype solutions and troubleshoot complex hardware components.

The role requires a TS/SCI clearance, a BS in EE/CE or related field, and hands-on experience with RF systems, FPGA design, and lab testing. Travel up to 25% may be involved.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing or integrating RF hardware or RF communications systems.
• Strong RF fundamentals: signal chains, filtering, impedance, noise, link budgets.
• Analog/digital circuit design and PCB-level hardware development.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or embedded Linux.
• Experience with FPGA-based systems using Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL.
• Experience integrating embedded processors, FPGAs, RF transceivers, ADCs/DACs.
• Hands-on use of RF/ electronics test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs).
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware at component, board, and system levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of custom radio and RF hardware for national security missions.
• Collaborate across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded domains to prototype and mature capabilities.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Circuit design

PCB development

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Embedded Linux

FPGA (Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL)

RF test equipment

Troubleshooting hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL

Embedded Linux

Python

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.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 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 an Equal Opportunity 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 other protected characteristic.