Senior RF Communications Engineer

Are you interested in contributing to the design and assessment of RF signals and systems critical to our national defense?

Do you have a passion for problem solving, creative thinking, and development?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a Senior RF Communications Engineer to help us model, evaluate and design cutting edge RF communications systems employed on airborne platforms. The systems evaluated and developed at APL are vital to maintaining the U.S. Department of Defense's technological advantage over our nation's adversaries. You'll be joining our hardworking, deeply knowledgeable team of engineers dedicated to developing innovative RF systems for employment in complex future battle spaces. You will provide vital contributions within a highly reciprocal team environment that values inclusivity and diversity of thought.

As a Senior RF Communications Engineer...

• Your primary responsibility will be to model, analyze and test RF communications data links and systems for advanced systems in challenging operational domains (EW affected, high Doppler, extreme environmental, etc).
• You will collaborate with a diverse team of highly skilled engineers and scientists, as a thought leader, to innovate and drive system performance forward, and to provide ideas that elevate our group's level of performance and expertise in our role of trusted advisor to the government.
• You will apply your RF subject matter expertise to the modeling, simulation, design and analysis of RF systems in other domains based on your interests and APL program needs.
• You will use existing or develop new analytical tools and software to help you predict and analyze the performance of data communication links.
• You will research, investigate, and experiment with new communications protocols to identify creative approaches that solve difficult RF system challenges.
• You will be responsible for assisting group leadership with defining and implementing a growth and training plan for the RF Systems and Seeker section to best serve the engineering needs of our programs. We are counting on your vision and leadership for our team's future success.

A successful candidate will have direct experience with many (but not all) of the following technology areas:

• RF system design and architectures
• RF communications and data links
• Link budget design and analysis
• Military communications systems - Satcom, Terrestrial and Maritime communications networks
• Waveform modeling, simulation and design
• Digital Signal Processing
• Protocol development
• Spread Spectrum Communications
• Bench level hardware testing, debugging and performance evaluation
• Software Defined Radios
• Data Encryption
• Antennas and Electromagnetics

You should have expertise with some of the following tools and skills:

• MatLab/Simulink and other high level Programming Languages (Python, C++, etc)
• Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK)
• GNU Radio/Various SDR hardware platforms
• Familiarity with standard RF test equipment and RF Communications test procedures
• Board level RF design
• System implementation in FPGA's and RFSoC's
• AFSIM

• You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

  • Possess a BS degree in electrical engineering, physics or a related field.
  • Have 15+ years of combined RF systems engineering experience (12 with MS, 9 with PhD).
  • Experience and strong background in developing and testing RF communications systems
  • Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Only by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.