Senior Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer

NCSL International; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

NCSL International is seeking an experienced SDR software engineer in Arlington, VA to design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware. You will build high-performance C++ applications with UHD, implement real-time DSP, and optimize RF streaming and waveform generation.

Collaboration with FPGA teams and field testing are part of this role. The candidate will work on spectral analysis, timing synchronization, and high-throughput pipelines, and contribute to RF front end

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience with Ettus Research USRP platforms (X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B-Series).
• Strong proficiency in Modern C++, Python, Linux systems programming with performance optimization.
• Experience deploying systems with Linux, UHD API, real-time streaming, high-rate packet processing, and socket programming.
• Experience with RF fundamentals, wireless communications, IQ signal processing, and digital modulation techniques.
• Experience with OFDM, QPSK/QAM, channel estimation, synchronization algorithms, FFT pipelines, adaptive filtering, and signal detection/classification.
• Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware.
• Develop high-performance SDR applications using C++ and UHD.
• Implement and optimize real-time DSP pipelines, custom waveform generation, modulation/demodulation chains, and RF streaming architectures.
• Interface with FPGA-based SDR architectures, high-speed Ethernet, RF front ends, and synchronization systems.
• Develop software for low-latency and real-time RF applications; perform integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Analyze and optimize spectral performance, timing synchronization, throughput, and RF impairments.
• Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications, sensing, or EW architectures; produce technical docs and interface definitions.
• Support lab and field testing activities, travel up to 15%.

Skills

Modern C++

Python

Linux systems programming

Multithreaded software

Real-time streaming systems

RF/IQ signal processing

OFDM/QAM

Socket programming

Performance optimization

UHD API

Ettus USRP platforms

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

Xilinx Vivado

Verilog/VHDL

RFNoC

Job description

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 expereince 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
• 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

Position requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

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.