Senior R&D Professional - Secure and Resilient Communications

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle’s Resilient Communications Group at ORNL seeks engineers and scientists to advance secure/robust communications research. The role spans protocol development, embedded systems, and SDR platforms integrated with HPC, offering opportunities across multiple sponsors and challenging, high-impact projects.

The ideal candidate will bring senior-level expertise in DSP, RF systems, and software-defined radio, with a track record of collaboration, proposal development, and rigorous technical

Qualifications

• BS and 15+ years of relevant experience or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Aerospace, or related field.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and adhere to safety, health, and quality requirements.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DOE clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-disciplinary projects with scientists and engineers, contributing to reports, publications and proposals.
• Provide technical guidance on software/hardware architectures and evaluation of trade-offs.
• Design, develop, and integrate reusable software and system components with performance, scalability and reliability in mind.
• Oversee programming, testing, documentation, version control, and data management for projects.
• Apply machine learning to process RF information and assist decision making.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Ethical standards

Clearance eligibility

Education

B.S. in Electrical Eng / CS / Physics / Math / Aerospace or related

Tools

Git

Embedded Linux

Python

C/C++

C#

NVIDIA software ecosystems

Job description

Requisition Id 17427

Overview

The Resilient Communications Group, within the National Security Sciences Directorate, at ORNL, is looking for new team members to be a part of our challenging and exciting projects in the area of secure/robust communications research. Our work focuses on developing advanced solutions that leverages digital signal processing techniques to learn from signals and the complex RF environment in near–real time. Ongoing projects span protocol development, embedded systems technologies, and software-defined radio platforms integrated with high‑performance computer systems, offering a wide range of research opportunities and supporting a diverse set of sponsors. We welcome applicants with a strong interest in contributing to these efforts. While experience in all areas listed below is ideal, candidates with relevant foundational skills and a demonstrated experience are encouraged to apply. Our team regularly partners with subject‑matter experts across the laboratory to solve complex, multidisciplinary challenges through innovative hardware and software solutions.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-disciplinary projects by collaborating with scientists and engineers and contributing to high-impact reports, publications, and proposals.
• Provide technical guidance on software and hardware system architectures, including evaluation of hardware/software trade-offs, strategies for software reuse, effective incorporation of Commercial Off‑the‑Shelf (COTS) components, and requirements analysis and decomposition.
• Design, develop, and integrate reusable software and system components into new and existing architectures, ensuring performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Oversee programming, testing, documentation, version control, and data management for projects, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to best practices.
• Apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to process RF information and enhance decision‑making
• Direct and participate in real-world system test operations, including the development of bench and field test procedures.
• Lead and present during formal design reviews and operate effectively within both classified and unclassified environments.
• Provide R&D leadership that advances scientific and technological capabilities in alignment with ORNL’s mission and its aspiration to be a world-leading research institution.
• Identify, develop, and execute strategies to expand existing research efforts and pursue new scientific and technical opportunities.

Basic Qualifications

• BS and 15+ years relevant experience or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Aerospace, or closely related discipline
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Strong commitment to ethical and professional standards and adherence to environmental, safety, health, and quality requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with embedded Linux, Python, and embedded C/C++ or C#.
• Experience with Git or similar source‑code management systems.
• Familiarity with RF scanners/receivers, spectrum analyzers, or network analyzers.
• Extensive experience with software‑defined radio systems.
• Experience in communication protocol development, signal analysis, and machine learning.
• Knowledge of modulation/demodulation, signal separation techniques, and digital signal processing.
• Experience with NVIDIA software ecosystems.
• Demonstrated ability to write proposals and develop technical work plans.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting methodologies, results, and demonstrations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Strong commitment to ethical and professional standards and adherence to environmental, safety, health, and quality requirements.

Special Requirements

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well‑being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on‑site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.