RF Systems Integration and Test Engineer

Leidos Inc; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Satellite System RF Systems Integration and Test Engineer to support the GEO7 WAAS program. You will design, prototype, install and test system upgrades, with hands-on work in lab and field environments.

The role requires troubleshooting RF/analog circuits, building cables, and documenting results; travel 1–2 times per year; and 24/7 operational readiness. U.S. Citizenship and Public Trust eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Electrical Engineering or related field; 4–8 years RF experience.
• Experience testing RF/analog circuits and subsystems in satellite ground systems.
• Experience building/testing RF cables and data/signal cables.
• Ability to interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, and procedures.
• Willingness to support 24/7 operations.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment such as Spectrum Analyzers and VNAs.

Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7/365 remote restoration support during system failures at offsite locations.
• Perform testing and characterization of RF components and subassemblies to verify performance against design requirements.
• Provide hands-on technical support in design, development, integration, and testing of satellite communications ground station equipment.
• Travel to remote sites 1-2 times per year for preventive maintenance and system upgrades.
• Assist in development and maintenance of engineering documentation (design specs, test procedures, BOMs).
• Support laboratory test activities, including setup, calibration, data collection, and results documentation.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues at subsystem and unit level with engineers to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Conduct depot operations including evaluation of failed hardware and coordination of repairs with vendors.
• Maintain lab equipment and environment, ensuring proper RF test instrumentation handling.
• Complete Annual Obsolescence Study to identify/replacement of obsolete LRUs.
• Develop and update block diagrams, cable drawings and other technical documentation.

Skills

RF troubleshooting

System integration

Lab testing

Test equipment

Soldering

Documentation

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Network Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Power Meters

Signal Generators

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

Description

Leidos Homeland Sector Air Traffic Systems is seeking a Satellite System RF Systems Integration and Test Engineer in Gaithersburg, MD to support the GEO7 Service Lease Program (G7SL) which provides 24/7/365 operational support to the FAA's Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS). The position's responsibilities include operational support of satellite navigation uplink systems, managing depot repair activities, maintaining the lab infrastructure, and designing, prototyping, installing and testing system upgrades. A little bit of everything for the hand-on person who likes to turn a screwdriver or a wrench to fix, build, and test electronic equipment and systems.

Hybrid in office - 3 days in office/2 days remote

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7/365 remote restoration support during system failures at offsite locations
• Perform testing and characterization of RF components and subassemblies to verify performance against design requirements and technical documentation.
• Provide hands-on technical support in the design, development, integration, and testing of satellite communications ground station equipment.
• Travel to remote sites 1-2 times per year to complete preventive maintenance action, conduct inventories, and install/verify system upgrades or other testing activities.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of engineering documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, schematics, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Support laboratory test activities, including setup, calibration, data collection, and documentation of results.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues at the subsystem and unit level, working closely with engineers to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct depot operations to include evaluation of failed hardware, coordination of repairs with vendor or OEM, shipping/receiving, tracking hardware location and status.
• Maintain lab equipment and environment ensuring proper configuration and handling of RF test instrumentation.
• Complete Annual Obsolescence Study to identify/replace program baseline Line Replaceable Units (LRU's) that are no longer available from OEM.
• Develop and update block diagrams, cable drawings and other technical documentation to support the program.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Technology, or a related field with 4- 8 years of relevant experience, or 8+ years of hands-on experience in RF and analog circuit troubleshooting and testing in lieu of a degree.
• Experience testing and troubleshooting RF and analog circuits and subsystems with emphasis on Satellite Ground Station Equipment to include Upconverters, Downconverters, Low-Noise Amplifiers, Klystron Power Amplifiers, Satcom Antennas, Satellite Tracking Systems and transmission lines
• Experience in building and testing RF cables
• Experience in building and testing data and other signal communications cables (i.e. Ethernet, D-Sub miniature, Mil-Spec circular, etc.)
• Ability to interpret technical documentation such as schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to document test results accurately.
• Willingness to respond to operational issues on a 24/7/365 basis
• Experience with Radio Frequency Test and Measurement equipment to include Spectrum/Signal Analyzers, Vector Network Analyzers, Power Meters, Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators and other basic electrical and electronic test equipment
• Experience with the safe usage of basic hand and power tools
• Basic soldering skills
• Knowledge of standard serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-422, etc.)
• Occasional CONUS travel will be required (4 to 5 weeks per year)
• Ability to work in a small team environment and work independently with minimal guidance
• Ability to lift and install electronic components in operational and lab environments
• Ability to climb Antenna structures
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Power Point and VISIO

Preferred Qualifications

• Software: MATLAB, LabVIEW, AI tools
• Cisco Networking Certifications (CCST, CCNA, CCNP)

Clearance Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
• Active Public Trust or higher clearance is strongly preferred.
• Ability to comply with all program-specific security requirements, including handling of Sensitive Unclassified Information (SUI)

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.