RF Systems Engineer – Embedded Software & Hardware

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks graduates in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering to join a multidisciplinary team working on advanced communications and sensing. You will develop embedded software, GUI tools, and hardware for RF systems, spanning prototype to fielded capability.

The role emphasizes collaboration, hands-on problem solving, and security clearance readiness within a national security context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or related field.
• Proficient in C/C++, C#, Java, or Rust; scripting with MATLAB or Python.
• Interested in analog/RF and high-speed digital circuits, embedded systems or FPGA software.
• Comfortable working in small multidisciplinary teams to design, integrate, test, and troubleshoot complex systems.
• Knowledgeable of lab test equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and vector network analyzers.
• Able to acquire a Secret level security clearance by start date; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded software and firmware for custom-designed and commercially available processors, system-on-chip devices, and FPGAs.
• Develop software applications, graphical user interfaces, and web-based tools to configure, control, visualize, and interact with RF signals and systems.
• Design custom hardware, including analog, RF, and high-speed digital electronics.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement novel signal-processing algorithms for RF communication and signal collection.
• Integrate and test hardware and software into end-to-end systems.
• Participate in field evaluation of systems and engage with sponsors to solve tough problems.

Skills

C/C++

C#

Java

Rust

MATLAB

Python

Embedded systems

FPGAs

Analog/RF design

High-speed digital

Lab equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Vector network analyzers

Power supplies

Schematic tools

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks graduates in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering to join a multidisciplinary team working on advanced communications and sensing. You will develop embedded software, GUI tools, and hardware for RF systems, spanning prototype to fielded capability.

The role emphasizes collaboration, hands-on problem solving, and security clearance readiness within a national security context.