Senior RF Communications Engineer: Sensing & Links

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking an RF Communications Systems Engineer to design and evaluate advanced RF communication and sensing solutions. You will work with embedded and FPGA teams to turn concepts into deployable capabilities, conducting field evaluations and translating requirements into implementable designs.

APL offers a culture that rewards collaboration, growth, and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Experience in RF hardware design, communication system software development, or RF systems engineering for build and integration of RF systems.
• Proficient in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar languages.
• Ability to independently investigate complex technical problems and develop solutions.
• Must be able to obtain a Secret security clearance by start date; eligibility for TS/SCI.

Responsibilities

• Analyze wireless communication systems by developing link budgets and modeling RF propagation and channel effects.
• Evaluate system performance across realistic environments to derive design requirements.
• Analyze systems, waveforms, and protocols to characterize operation and develop new approaches.
• Contribute to algorithm, hardware, software, and SDR development from concept through test.
• Plan and conduct field evaluations to assess performance and improve designs.
• Collaborate with sponsors and teams to translate mission challenges into technical requirements and fielded solutions.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

RF systems

Link budgets

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master's degree or PhD in related field

Tools

FPGA development

Software-defined radios

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking an RF Communications Systems Engineer to design and evaluate advanced RF communication and sensing solutions. You will work with embedded and FPGA teams to turn concepts into deployable capabilities, conducting field evaluations and translating requirements into implementable designs.

APL offers a culture that rewards collaboration, growth, and innovation.