Senior RF Waveform Analyst — Lead DSP & TS/SCI Eligible

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in the Baltimore–Washington metro area seeks an RF Waveform Analyst to analyze, characterize, and evaluate complex RF signals and protocols. You will develop algorithms, software, and analysis techniques for lab and field environments, and mentor junior staff while engaging sponsors to solve critical national security challenges.

The role emphasizes RF communications, digital signal processing, and protocol analysis, with access to SDRs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science field.
• 5+ years in RF communications, waveform analysis, or protocol analysis.
• Strong digital communications knowledge: modulation, sampling, filtering, synchronization.
• Experience with AM, FM, PSK, FSK, QAM, OFDM or similar waveform structures.
• Experience with communications protocols and network behavior.
• Proficient in Python, MATLAB, C/C++ for signal processing.
• Experience with RF data (I/Q) and RF lab equipment.
• Ability to work independently and lead or contribute to teams.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and characterize complex RF waveforms and protocols.
• Develop algorithms and software to detect, demodulate, and classify RF signals.
• Lead or contribute to multidisciplinary technical efforts.
• Mentor junior staff and communicate results to sponsors.
• Design laboratory and field experiments to evaluate RF systems.
• Collaborate with sponsors to translate mission needs into solutions.
• Document findings and present to DoD and IC communities.
• Identify emerging RF technologies for future challenges.

Skills

RF waveform analysis

Digital signal processing

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

I/Q data

SDR experience

Communication protocols

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics

Master’s or Ph.D. in related field (preferred)

Tools

GNU Radio

USRP

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Signal Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in the Baltimore–Washington metro area seeks an RF Waveform Analyst to analyze, characterize, and evaluate complex RF signals and protocols. You will develop algorithms, software, and analysis techniques for lab and field environments, and mentor junior staff while engaging sponsors to solve critical national security challenges.

The role emphasizes RF communications, digital signal processing, and protocol analysis, with access to SDRs,