Senior RF Communications & Signal Processing & Engineer

COMFORT SYSTEMS; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Sector in Huntsville, AL seeks an RF Communications & Signal Processing Engineer to lead RF, DSP, and data-link testing across lab, field, and flight environments.

You will develop test strategies, analyze waveform performance, and collaborate with government stakeholders while mentoring junior engineers and delivering mission-ready capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in RF communications or related area.
• Experience leading RF analysis or test activities.
• Strong RF theory and link budget understanding.
• Experience with field or flight test environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in RF, DSP, and data link technologies.
• Develop test strategies and prepare technical reports.
• Plan, execute, and support RF system testing including integration, data collection, and post-test analysis.
• Analyze waveform performance and link quality under operational conditions.
• Perform advanced signal analysis to characterize performance and identify improvements.
• Interface with government stakeholders, test organizations, and industry partners.
• Present technical findings to leadership and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior engineers and test personnel.

Skills

RF communications

DSP

Test & evaluation

System integration

Technical leadership

Active security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Physics/related field

Master's degree in EE/Physics/related field

Tools

Common Data Link (CDL)

Tactical data links

Software-defined radios (SDRs)

SATCOM

Job description

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.

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 (https://www.leidos.com/company/our-business/defense) !

Primary Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.