Test Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Sensors in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Test Engineer to design, integrate, and execute test fixtures, procedures, and reports for RF seeker capabilities and components. You will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art radar test equipment and contribute to radar development and testing activities.

The role requires a strong background in RF concepts, test instrumentation, and software development in C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field from an ABET‑accredited institution plus 2+ years of experience in one or more listed experience areas.
• Understanding of fundamental RF concepts including frequency, wavelength, power, gain, and impedance
• Familiarity with basic RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators)
• Basic knowledge of electromagnetic theory and antenna principles
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strong technical background.
• Must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area. This is NOT a remote or work‑from‑home position.
• Must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and execute test fixtures, procedures, and reports for RF seeker capabilities and components.
• Participate in closed‑loop simulations, HWIL integration, and system validation on radar hardware.
• Present progress and findings to government and prime contractor stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the division on radar development and testing activities.

Skills

RF Seeker CONOPS

RF Seeker Mode Logic

Signal Processing

Electronic Warfare

Simulation Development

Modeling & Analysis

Software Development

Calibration

Tracking

Radar Resource Management

RF Test Equipment

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Vector Network Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Signal Generators

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos’ Defense Sensors - Sensor Research and Analysis Division is seeking a Test Engineer to join our team. The division performs radar design, hardware builds, algorithm development, software development, HWIL testing and analysis across a variety of both research and development and operational tasks.

The candidate selected for this role will primarily support the design, integration, and execution of test fixtures, procedures, and reports for RF seeker capabilities and components. The selected candidate will maintain a familiarity with the fielded systems our division supports, investigate cutting‑edge RF seeker technologies, and develop studies which educate our customers on seeker technology advancements. This role provides hands‑on experience with state‑of‑the‑art test equipment and exposure to advanced radar and RF technologies in a collaborative engineering environment. You will also participate in closed‑loop simulations, HWIL integration, and system validation on radar hardware. The candidate will present progress and findings of these studies to government and prime contractor stakeholders and will collaborate with the rest of the division on radar development and testing activities.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Sensors provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large‑scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

Relevant Experience Areas

• RF Seeker CONOPS – Concepts of operations and decisions to close the kill chain with an RF seeker in various use cases and environments.
• RF Seeker Mode Logic – Waveform, algorithm, and guidance methods associated with distinct stages of an RF Seeker flight, and transitioning between those stages.
• Signal Processing – Waveform design, matched filtering, detections processing, clutter rejection, target feature extraction
• Electronic Warfare – Analysis of radio signal countermeasures and protections against countermeasures
• Simulation Development – Designing architecture, resource management, interface, and feature models of radar and seeker simulations
• Modeling & Analysis – Setup, test, analyze, and evaluate radar or communications algorithms in software
• Software Development – Experience in high‑performance computing languages such as C++
• Calibration – Far‑field and/or near‑field calibration techniques for radar systems
• Tracking – Design and analysis of Kalman filters, IMMs, detection to track association varieties
• Radar Resource Management – Scheduling techniques for optimized commands between radar subsystems
• RF Test Equipment – Experience with RF troubleshooting equipment such as Vector Network Analyzers, oscilloscopes, and signal generators

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field from an ABET‑accredited institution plus 2+ years of experience in one or more listed experience areas, or a relevant MS degree with exposure to one or more listed experience areas.
• Understanding of fundamental RF concepts including frequency, wavelength, power, gain, and impedance
• Familiarity with basic RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, signal generators)
• Basic knowledge of electromagnetic theory and antenna principles
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strong technical background.
• A positive, proactive attitude and enthusiasm for learning, collaborating, and tackling challenging engineering problems.
• Must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area. This is NOT a remote or work‑from‑home position.
• Must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in multiple listed experience areas
• Experience with RF seeker systems, radar systems, or electronic warfare systems
• Experience with HWIL simulation environments
• Highly organized, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment
• Experience creating design documentation, requirements specifications, or other technical documentation
• Experience evaluating, interpreting, and implementing concepts from peer‑reviewed scientific literature (e.g., IEEE publications)
• Hands‑on experience with RF test equipment and measurement techniques
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, or other technical computing software
• Knowledge of radar systems, seeker technologies, or missile guidance systems
• Understanding of modulation techniques and signal processing concepts
• Experience with data acquisition systems and automated test equipment
• Coursework or project experience in electromagnetics, antenna theory, or RF circuit design
• Familiarity with military standards and test procedures (MIL‑STD)
• Experience with technical documentation and report writing
• Knowledge of RF safety procedures and practices

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.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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.

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.