RF Systems Scientist - HiL Testing & Field Analysis

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Radio Systems Scientist to test, integrate, and validate RF systems for missile defense applications at our Laurel, MD campus. You will work on hardware-in-the-loop facilities, develop data processing algorithms, and model RF performance under real-world conditions.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD in a related field and have hands-on experience with RF test equipment, modeling tools, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, computer engineering, systems engineering or related field.
• Experience designing and performing experiments and visualizing data.
• Deep knowledge in wireless communications, GPS, radar/remotely sensed, HPC or embedded DSP.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Familiar with RF test equipment: spectrum analyzers, signal generators, waveform generators, oscilloscopes, RF recorders.
• Willingness to travel 10–20% as needed.
• On-site presence at Laurel, MD campus; remote work possible occasionally.
• Eligible for Interim Secret with potential Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Integrate, test, and evaluate RF technologies and systems in HiL facilities and field tests.
• Develop algorithms to process and visualize RF data.
• Create modeling and simulation tools to predict real-world RF performance.
• Prototype and run experiments to improve RF systems.
• Characterize performance using anechoic chambers and RF testbeds.
• Collaborate with engineers across APL and external partners.

Skills

Wireless communications

GPS systems

Radar & remote sensing

GPU computing

DSP on embedded hardware

Experiment design

Data visualization

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Physics

PhD in Computer Engineering

PhD in Systems Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

RF recorders

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Radio Systems Scientist to test, integrate, and validate RF systems for missile defense applications at our Laurel, MD campus. You will work on hardware-in-the-loop facilities, develop data processing algorithms, and model RF performance under real-world conditions.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD in a related field and have hands-on experience with RF test equipment, modeling tools, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.