Software Defined Radio (SDR) RF Engineer - Secret clearance (Level 5)

Lockheed Martin; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 167,000 - 310,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

4x10 Flexible schedules

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Lockheed Martin Space is seeking an experienced Software Defined Radio (SDR) RF Engineer in Littleton, CO to design, develop, and integrate high-performance SDR solutions. You will work on real-time RF signal processing close to the hardware, driving architectures from concept to field deployment.

Responsibilities include leading development of digital communications products, optimizing DSP pipelines, RF front-ends, and synchronization systems, plus hands-on lab and flight testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience developing high-speed digital, DSP, RF systems for terrestrial and/or space applications.
• Experience with digital communications systems, RF architecture, FPGA design, and/or DSP algorithms.
• Experience with missile to missile communications payload architecture (e.g. digital channelization, digital beamforming).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and fielding of innovative digital communications products, through deployment, leveraging extensive knowledge of high-speed digital, DSP, and RF systems.
• Implement and optimize real-time DSP pipelines, maintain link budgets as well as full cascade analysis for your radios, custom waveform generation, custom frequency plans and communication schedule timelines, modulation/demodulation chains, RF streaming architectures, Incorporation of Cryptographic layer, and throughput signal processing systems
• Interface and drive FPGA & SW-based SDR architectures, and RF front ends and synchronization systems
• Drive software development for low-latency and real-time RF applications
• Perform RF system integration, qualification and acceptance testing, calibration, and troubleshooting
• Push HW through rapid high-rate production, testing and follow missile integration of the RF comms systems
• Analyze and optimize spectral performance, timing synchronization, throughput bottlenecks, and RF impairment
• Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications and/or sensing architectures
• Produce technical documentation, interface definitions, and software architecture artifacts
• Support lab and field testing and flight test activities

Skills

High-speed digital

DSP systems

RF systems

FPGA design

DSP algorithms

Leadership

DoD clearance

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

FPGA design tools

Simulation tools

Job description

Standard Job Description

Lockheed Martin Space is seeking an experienced

Standard Job Description

Lockheed Martin Space is seeking an experienced Software Defined Radio (SDR) RF Engineer to join our team in Littleton, CO! In this role you will be responsible for designing, developing, and integrating high-performance SDR solutions. This role requires expertise in real-time RF signal processing and software development close to the hardware layer. The ideal candidate is comfortable with designing, developing, and deploying advanced SDR systems from the ground up and optimizing them for demanding operational environments.

In This Role You Will:

• Lead the development and fielding of innovative digital communications products, through deployment, leveraging extensive knowledge of high-speed digital, DSP, and RF systems.
• Implement and optimize real-time DSP pipelines, maintain link budgets as well as full cascade analysis for your radios, custom waveform generation, custom frequency plans and communication schedule timelines, modulation/demodulation chains, RF streaming architectures, Incorporation of Cryptographic layer, and throughput signal processing systems
• Interface and drive FPGA & SW-based SDR architectures, and RF front ends and synchronization systems
• Drive software development for low-latency and real-time RF applications
• Perform RF system integration, qualification and acceptance testing, calibration, and troubleshooting
• Push HW through rapid high-rate production, testing and follow missile integration of the RF comms systems
• Analyze and optimize spectral performance, timing synchronization, throughput bottlenecks, and RF impairment
• Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications and/or sensing architectures
• Produce technical documentation, interface definitions, and software architecture artifacts
• Support lab and field testing and flight test activities

#SpaceRF

Standard Job Description:

Architects and designs Radio Frequency systems and circuitry. Designs and develops RF circuitry used in high frequency and microwave applications, including receivers, transmitters, antennas, and frequency synthesizers. Responsible for hardware layout, component evaluation, prototype construction, and test. Prepares test methods and specifications; analyzes and tests RF hardware to verify performance characteristics. Provides inputs to Product Development for formal documentation and supports manufacturing during the deliverable assembly and test phase. In addition, develops RF System/Subsystem Architectures consisting of: antennas, transmitters, receivers, low noise amplifiers, high power amplifiers, RF conversion elements and transmission line equipment. Performs link analysis and optimization, including effects of propagation medium and possible interference sources. Develops and allocates RF system and subsystem functional and performance requirements. Identifies and tracks RF technical performance measurements (TPMs). Performs RF system/subsystem/component trade studies and CAIV analysis. Supports Life Cycle Costs, reliability, availability, and maintainability analysis.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience developing high-speed digital, DSP, RF systems for terrestrial and/or space applications.
• Experience with digital communications systems, RF architecture, FPGA design, and/or DSP algorithms.
• Experience with missile to missile communications payload architecture (e.g. digital channelization, digital beamforming).
• Experience leading cross-functional teams, mentoring engineers, and/or providing technical oversight to ensure successful project execution.
• Understanding of RF fundamentals, wireless communications systems, digital modulation techniques, wideband RF architectures, and/or spectrum analysis.
• Experience with design and simulation tools for digital, RF, and DSP systems, including FPGA design and verification.
• Ability to operate a complex set of special test equipment that combines RF, Digital Control and Power supplies for SDR.
• Active DoD SECRET security clearance required prior to start; must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance; US citizenship required.

Desired Skills

• 10+ years of experience in developing high-speed digital, DSP, and RF systems for terrestrial and space applications. Extensive experience in system architecture, product implementation, and technical leadership.
• Experience with PCB design, layout, and fabrication of high-speed digital, RF, and hybrid stack-up boards.
• Experience in system architecture, product implementation, and technical leadership
• Experience developing with real-time streaming systems, high-rate packet processing, and low-latency software architectures
• Experience implementing channel estimation, synchronization algorithms, channelization pipelines, adaptive filtering, signal detection and classification, and time/frequency synchronization
• Experience with tactical communications, spectrum operations, and RF SDR systems
• Ability to troubleshoot complex RF/Digital/ Circuit ware/software interactions
• Comfortable working directly with hardware in lab and field environments
• Capable of driving and testing production-grade SDR hardware and software from the ground up
• Strong debugging, optimization, and performance tuning skills
• Self-starter capable of operating in fast-paced R&D environments
• Top Secret clearance

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $166900.00 - $309900.00

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.