Senior Wireless Signal Processing Engineer - Defense Tech

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Senior Wireless Signal Processing Engineer to join our team in the Maryland area. You will lead R&D on advanced wireless signal processing, focusing on detection, characterization, and reverse engineering of complex RF signals across tactical radio, cellular, satellite, and IoT systems.

You will design SDR receivers and develop analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, and C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
• At least ten years of experience in wireless communications, DSP, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of digital communications and signal processing with experience in statistical signal processing, detection/estimation, receiver design, synchronization, modulation/demodulation, or channel coding.
• Hands-on experience developing and evaluating wireless receiver or signal-analysis algorithms, including SDR.
• Experience developing technical software using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, strong communication skills, and ability to solve complex problems independently.
• Eligibility for Interim Top Secret clearance with potential TS/SCI; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D of innovative signal processing solutions for wireless communications from concept to prototyping and testing.
• Develop techniques to detect, characterize, synchronize, demodulate, decode, and analyze wireless signals.
• Apply statistical signal processing and estimation theory to extract information from RF environments.
• Design and develop software-defined radio receivers, algorithms, and signal analysis capabilities.
• Build software prototypes and analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, or C/C++, and validate with RF data.
• Research approaches for signal characterization and reverse engineering including modulation recognition and channel coding.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor staff, identify opportunities, and communicate results to sponsors.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Technical leadership

Independent problem solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electrical/Computer engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Senior Wireless Signal Processing Engineer to join our team in the Maryland area. You will lead R&D on advanced wireless signal processing, focusing on detection, characterization, and reverse engineering of complex RF signals across tactical radio, cellular, satellite, and IoT systems.

You will design SDR receivers and develop analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, and C/C++.