Senior Research Scientist - Network Systems

Peraton; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Senior Research Scientist - Network Systems to advance research in RF communications, ML, and cyber-resilient networks. The role emphasizes developing state-of-the-art algorithms and prototypes for government and defense applications.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD or MS with extensive experience, have strong programming skills in Python and C/C++, and can operate with minimal supervision while collaborating across Peraton Labs.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in RF communications theory, modulation/demodulation, propagation, and spectrum analysis.
• Experience designing and implementing ML algorithms (supervised/unsupervised/deep learning) for signal/time-series data.
• Proficiency with PyTorch, TensorFlow/Keras, scikit-learn, and data tooling (NumPy, pandas).

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate RF, ML, and networking solutions for government and commercial customers.
• Collaborate with Peraton Labs on research, prototyping, and publications.
• Contribute to end-to-end ML pipelines from data ingestion to deployment and monitoring.
• Translate complex algorithms into implementable software and reports.

Skills

RF communications theory

DSP / spectral analysis

compressive sensing

ML algorithms (supervised/unsupervised

reinforcement learning

ML pipelines

CNNs/RNNs/Transformers

Python & C/C++

PyTorch / TensorFlow / scikit-learn

Git / Linux

Education

PhD in a related field

MS/MA in a related field

BS in Electrical/Computer Engineering, CS, or related

Tools

Git

Linux

Docker

MLflow / Weights & Biases

Job description

Senior Research Scientist - Network Systems

Job Locations

US

Requisition ID

2026-172837

Position Category

Scientific, Research & Analysis

Clearance

No Clearance Required

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Responsibilities

Peraton Labs delivers innovative solutions and revolutionary new capabilities to solve the most difficult and complex challenges for government agencies, utilities, and commercial customers. With a distinguished heritage tracing back to Bell Labs, Bellcore, and Telcordia, our experts pave the way. Peraton Labs' cybersecurity and network research protects mission-critical systems and national cyber infrastructure and efficiently utilizes spectrum and system resources by employing technologies in the areas of computer network defense, secure-by-design, AI/ML and deterministic and stochastic optimization.

Our projects span several areas of interest. Our core competencies include (but are not limited to):

• Networking and wireless research including 5G and non-terrestrial networks
• Cyber Security including formal methods, side channel analysis, high-fidelity emulation of cyber physical systems (CPS)
• Resilient networking in support of cyber mission goals
• Software-defined networking for cyber defense and deception
• Artificial intelligence (reasoning, probabilistic inference, machine learning)

Qualifications

Required Job Skills

RF Communications & Signal Processing

• Strong foundation in RF communications theory, including modulation/demodulation, propagation, link budgets, and spectrum analysis
• Hands-on experience with digital signal processing (DSP) - filtering, FFT/spectral analysis, detection, estimation, and adaptive algorithms
• Demonstrated expertise in compressive sensing, including sparse signal recovery, L1/L2 optimization, sensing matrix design, and sub-Nyquist sampling techniques

Machine Learning & Data Applications

• Proficiency designing and implementing ML algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, deep learning, reinforcement learning) with emphasis on signal/time-series data
• Experience building end-to-end ML pipelines - data ingestion, preprocessing, feature engineering, training, validation, deployment, and monitoring
• Knowledge of ML architectures including CNNs, RNN/LSTMs, transformers, autoencoders, and GANs, with applied experience selecting the right model for RF/signal and data analytic problems
• Strong data analytics skills: exploratory analysis, statistical modeling, visualization, and deriving actionable insight from large/complex datasets
• Hands-on with frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow/Keras, scikit-learn, and data tooling (NumPy, pandas, Spark)
• Experience with MLOps practices - version control, containerization (Docker), CI/CD, experiment tracking (MLflow, W&B), and model serving

Programming & Tools

• Strong programming skills in Python and C/C++; MATLAB a plus
• Version control (Git), Linux development environment, and scripting proficiency

Education & Experience & Citizenship

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline and a minimum of 12 years of experience; Minimum of 10 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 7 years with Ph.D.
• Demonstrated project or publication record spanning both RF/signal processing and machine learning domains
• US Citizenship

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Experience applying ML to RF problems: signal classification, spectrum sensing, RFI mitigation, cognitive radio, direction finding, or emitter identification
• Background in DoD / IC programs, EW, SIGINT, or radar systems
• Active security clearance (or ability to get one)

Soft Skills

• Clear technical communication - able to translate algorithms to implementation and results to stakeholders, and write technical papers and reports
• Self-directed, with experience taking prototypes from concept through demonstration

Target Salary Range

$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application Statements

The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate's own.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.