RF Systems Scientist: Innovate & Test Next-Gen Defense RF

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Radio Systems Scientist in Laurel, MD to test, evaluate, and integrate RF systems for next-generation missile defense technology. The role involves hardware-in-the-loop testing, field trials, and data-driven analysis.

You will develop RF processing algorithms, simulate real-world performance, and collaborate with internal and external engineering teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field.
• Experience designing and performing experiments and analyzing/visualizing data.
• Familiarity with RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, waveform generators, oscilloscopes, RF recorders.

Responsibilities

• Integrate, test, and evaluate RF technologies and systems in HiL facilities and field settings.
• Develop algorithms and techniques for processing and visualizing RF data.
• Develop modeling and simulation tools to predict real-world RF performance.
• Recommend improvements through prototyping and experimentation.
• Use anechoic chambers and RF testbeds to characterize system performance.
• Collaborate with engineers across APL and external partners.

Skills

Experiment design

Data visualization

RF hardware knowledge

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Security clearance eligibility

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering / Physics / Computer Engineering / Systems Engineering

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

RF recorders

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Radio Systems Scientist in Laurel, MD to test, evaluate, and integrate RF systems for next-generation missile defense technology. The role involves hardware-in-the-loop testing, field trials, and data-driven analysis.

You will develop RF processing algorithms, simulate real-world performance, and collaborate with internal and external engineering teams.