Senior Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer

Leidos; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Arlington, VA is seeking an SDR Engineer to design, develop, and integrate high‑performance SDR solutions on Ettus USRP platforms. You will handle real‑time RF processing, low‑latency streaming, and hardware/software integration for robust EW capabilities.

The role requires hands‑on experience, strong software development near the hardware layer, and the ability to work in a fast-paced R&D environment, with up to 15% travel and an active security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience with hands-on work in SDR or related fields.
• Experience deploying systems on Red Hat Linux.
• Strong understanding of real-time RF signal processing and low-latency architectures.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain/maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware.
• Develop high-performance SDR applications and optimize interfaces.
• Perform RF system integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Produce technical documentation and software architecture artifacts.
• Support lab and field testing, travel up to 15%.

Skills

Real-time RF

Low-latency streaming

Hardware-software integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Ettus USRP

Red Hat Linux

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 aSoftware 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 usingEttus Research USRP hardware
• Develop high-performance SDR applications using:
• Implement and optimize:
• Interface directly with:
• Develop software for low-latency and real-time RF applications
• Perform RF system integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting
• Analyze and optimize:
• 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:
• Must have 8+ years of expereince including strong hands‑on experience with:
• Strong proficiency in:
• Experience deploying systems with Red Hat Linux
• Experience developing with:
• Strong understanding of:
• Experience implementing:
• Position requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:
• Familiarity with:
• Experience with:
• Familiarity with:
• 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

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.