Senior Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer

NCSL International; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Arlington, VA seeks an experienced Software Defined Radio Engineer to design and integrate SDR solutions using Ettus USRP hardware. You will develop high-performance software in C++/Python, optimize real-time DSP pipelines, and work closely with FPGA interfaces and RF front ends.

The role includes lab and field testing, system integration, and travel up to 15%. A Secret clearance is preferred or the ability to obtain one, with strong background in RF and wireless systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience with Ettus USRP platforms (X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B-Series).
• Strong proficiency in Modern C++, Python, and Linux systems programming with performance optimization.
• Experience deploying real-time streaming systems and high-rate packet processing; multithreaded architectures.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware.
• Develop SDR applications with C++ and UHD.
• Implement real-time DSP pipelines and high-throughput processing.
• Interface with FPGA-based SDR architectures, Ethernet, and RF front ends.
• Conduct integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting in lab and field.

Skills

Ettus USRP

Modern C++

Python

Linux

Multithreading

Real-time systems

Networking

Education

Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or CS

Tools

UHD (USRP Hardware Driver)

UHD API

RFNoC

Red Hat Linux

Xilinx FPGA exposure

Job 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 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
  • 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

NKE

ElectronicWarfare

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

October 13, 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

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.