Senior Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer

Leidos Inc; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 107,900 - 195,050; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

Leidos Inc in Arlington, VA is seeking an experienced SDR Engineer to design, develop, and integrate high-performance SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware. You will build production-grade software close to the hardware, focusing on real-time RF signal processing and low-latency streaming.

You will work with FPGA interfaces, UHD API, and RFNoC, ensuring robust software from ground up while collaborating across EW projects. Security clearance or eligibility is required.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on experience with Ettus USRP platforms (X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B-Series).
• Strong proficiency in modern C++, Python, Linux systems programming, and performance optimization.
• Experience with real-time streaming, high-rate packet processing, and low-latency architectures.
• Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware.
• Develop high-performance SDR applications using C++ and UHD.
• Implement real-time DSP pipelines, custom waveform generation, and RF architectures.
• Interface with FPGA-based SDR architectures, high-speed Ethernet, and RF front ends.
• Develop software for low-latency, real-time RF applications and perform system integration.
• Analyze spectral performance, timing synchronization, throughput bottlenecks, and RF impairments.
• Produce technical documentation and support lab and field testing (up to 15% travel).

Skills

Modern C++

Python

Linux performance optimization

Multithreaded software

Socket programming

Real-time streaming

Real-time DSP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Related technical discipline

Tools

Ettus USRP platforms

UHD API

RFNoC

Xilinx FPGA

Vivado

Verilog/VHDL

Job description

Description

Today, Electronic Warfare (EW) is a growing enterprise – protecting the warfighter and our national security against ever‑adapting threats. Our division currently has an exciting opportunity for a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer to perform design, development, and hardware/software integration in Arlington, VA for the Electronic Warfare Division.

Our division primarily focuses on research & development and advanced prototyping, transforming state‑of‑the‑art signal processing algorithms into real‑time software systems deployed on advanced RF platforms.

The successful candidate will be an individual contributor responsible for designing, developing, and integrating high‑performance SDR solutions using Ettus Research USRP platforms. This role requires expertise in real‑time RF signal processing, low‑latency streaming architectures, and software development close to the hardware layer. The ideal candidate is comfortable building production‑grade SDR systems from the ground up and optimizing them for demanding operational environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus Research USRP hardware
• Develop high‑performance SDR applications using:
  • C++
  • UHD (USRP Hardware Driver)
• Implement and optimize:
  • Real‑time DSP pipelines
  • Custom waveform generation
  • Modulation/demodulation chains
  • RF streaming architectures
  • High‑throughput signal processing systems
• Interface directly with:
  • FPGA‑based SDR architectures
  • High‑speed Ethernet transport layers
  • RF front ends and synchronization systems
• Develop software for low‑latency and real‑time RF applications
• Perform RF system integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting
• Analyze and optimize:
  • Spectral performance
  • Timing synchronization
  • Throughput bottlenecks
  • RF impairments
• Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications, sensing, or EW architectures
• Produce technical documentation, interface definitions, and software architecture artifacts
• Support lab and field testing activities, travel up to 15%

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in:
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Related technical discipline
• Must have 8+ years of experience including strong hands‑on experience with:
  • Ettus Research USRP platforms (X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B‑Series platforms)
• Strong proficiency in:
  • Modern C++
  • Python
  • Linux systems programming, including Linux performance optimization
  • Multithreaded and concurrent software architectures
• Experience deploying systems with Red Hat Linux
• Experience developing with:
  • UHD API
  • Real‑time streaming systems
  • High‑rate packet processing
  • Socket programming
  • Low‑latency software architectures
  • Ettus RF Network On Chip (RFNoC) architecture
• Strong understanding of:
  • RF fundamentals
  • Wireless communications systems
  • IQ signal processing
  • Digital modulation techniques
  • Wideband RF architectures
  • Spectrum analysis
• Experience implementing:
  • OFDM
  • QPSK/QAM
  • Channel estimation
  • Synchronization algorithms
  • FFT/channelization pipelines
  • Adaptive filtering
  • Signal detection and classification
  • Time/frequency synchronization
• Position requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • SIGINT/ELINT systems
  • Tactical communications
  • Spectrum operations
  • Radar or RF sensing systems
• Familiarity with:
  • Xilinx FPGA architectures
  • Vivado
  • Verilog/VHDL
  • Hardware acceleration pipelines
• Experience with:
  • 10/40/100 GigE transport
  • GPSDO/PPS synchronization
  • Distributed SDR architectures
  • Real‑time operating systems
• Familiarity with:
  • MIMO systems
  • Beamforming
  • SATCOM architectures
• Active Top Secret clearance preferred

Desired Traits

• Strong systems engineering mindset
• Ability to troubleshoot complex RF/software interactions
• Comfortable working directly with hardware in lab and field environments
• Capable of building production‑grade SDR software from the ground up
• Strong debugging, optimization, and performance tuning skills
• Self‑starter capable of operating in fast‑paced R&D environments

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. 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.