Senior RF Communications & Signal Processing & Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Sector seeks an RF Communications & Signal Processing Engineer to join the JSIL Technology and Certification Center. Lead tests, analyze waveform performance, and support UAS communications systems for DoD missions across lab, field, and flight environments.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams, develop test plans, and deliver mission-ready capabilities while expanding expertise in RF engineering, EW, and data links. Huntsville relocation is possible.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technical analysis or test activities for RF communications systems.
• Strong RF theory knowledge: propagation, system performance, and link budget analysis.
• Strong digital communications knowledge: modulation, coding, filtering, waveform design, and signal processing.
• Experience troubleshooting RF or communications systems in lab, field, or flight test environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to produce technical reports and briefings.
• Active Secret security clearance with Top Secret eligibility preferred and willingness to relocate to Huntsville, AL.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and SME input in RF communications, DSP, and tactical data link technologies.
• Develop test strategies, plans, procedures, and technical reports for lab, field, and flight tests.
• Plan, execute, and support RF communications system testing, including integration, instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Analyze waveform performance, RF link quality, communications resilience, and signal detectability under realistic conditions.
• Perform advanced signal analysis to characterize system performance and identify improvements.
• Interface with government stakeholders, test organizations, and industry partners to support development and acquisition decisions.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and test personnel.

Skills

RF communications

Digital signal processing

Test leadership

System integration

Data links

Signal analysis

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related

Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos’ Defense Uncrewed Systems Integration and Test is seeking a motivated and ambitious RF Communications & Signal Processing Engineer to join the Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering and Integration Directorate (S3I) Joint Technology Center – Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) Technology and Certification Center. In this role, you’ll support the development, integration, testing, and evaluation of advanced tactical data links and communications systems for UnmannedAircraft Systems (UAS) and other airborne and ground platforms supporting U.S. Army and DoD missions.

This is a hands-on, multidisciplinary engineering role at the intersection of RF communications, digital signal processing, and electronic warfare. You’ll work across the test and evaluation lifecycle, from laboratory analysis and system integration to field, and flight testing, with opportunities to expand your expertise across these technical areas.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical depth in one or more of these areas and an interest in expanding their expertise across the others. You’ll lead advanced test and analysis efforts, evaluate communications system and waveform performance, assess communications resilience and signal detectability, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and government stakeholders to deliver mission‑ready capabilities and help inform future U.S. Army and DoD communications systems.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large‑scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

August 26, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in RF communications, digital signal processing, and tactical data link technologies.
• Develop test strategies, plans, and procedures, and prepare technical reports for laboratory, field, and flight test activities.
• Plan, execute, and support RF communications system testing, including system integration, instrumentation, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Analyze waveform performance, RF link quality, communications resilience, signal detectability, and overall system effectiveness under operationally representative conditions.
• Perform advanced signal analysis to characterize communications system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Interface with government stakeholders, test organizations, and industry partners to support technology development, acquisition decisions, and system integration.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to internal leadership and government stakeholders.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and test personnel.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering field with a minimum of 8 years of experience.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering field with a minimum of 6 years of experience.
• Experience leading technical analysis or test activities for RF communications systems.
• Strong understanding of RF theory, including propagation, RF system performance, and link budget analysis.
• Strong understanding of digital communications concepts, including modulation, coding, filtering, waveform design, and signal processing.
• Experience troubleshooting RF or communications systems in laboratory, field, or flight test environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to develop technical reports, and briefings, and effectively present engineering recommendations.
• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to maintain it (Top Secret eligibility preferred).
• Must be a resident of Huntsville, AL or willing to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. with an emphasis in electromagnetics, RF engineering, digital communications, or signal processing.
• Experience with Common Data Link (CDL), tactical data links, software‑defined radios (SDRs), SATCOM, or resilient communications.
• Experience electronic warfare (EW), spectrum operations, or anti‑jam (AJ) and low probability of detection (LPD) assessments.