RF Hardware Engineer Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, US

CACI International Inc.; Aberdeen, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI International Inc. is seeking a Radio Systems / RF Hardware Engineer to drive the full radio development lifecycle from architecture to RF characterization.

You will lead design and integration across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded components, collaborating with software, cybersecurity, and systems engineering teams to deliver advanced radio capabilities for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, or troubleshooting RF systems or radio hardware.
• Strong RF fundamentals: signal chains, filtering, amplification, frequency conversion, impedance matching, noise, link budgets.
• Experience with analog/digital circuit design and PCB-level hardware development.
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or embedded Linux.
• Experience FPGA-based systems using Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL.
• Hands-on with RF/electronics test equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators, logic analyzers).
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware at component, board, and system levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and integration of custom RF hardware for national security missions.
• Collaborate across RF, digital, FPGA, and embedded systems to prototype solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex hardware and rapid prototype capabilities for advanced requirements.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Analog/digital circuit design

PCB-level hardware development

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

C/C++

Embedded Linux

FPGA design (Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHD

RF testing & measurement

Troubleshooting hardware

DSP in FPGA

System integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

Tools

Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Embedded Linux

Job description

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.