Associate Staff - RF System Design and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations

About the role

The Electronics for Contested Space Group develops advanced electronic systems and technology for the protection of our Nation’s most important space capabilities. We design and develop state-of-the-art satellites and satellite payloads, novel concepts for resilient space architectures, and the Nation’s most sensitive radars, optics, and passive RF systems. The group also provides engineering rigor and experience to some of the most critical National Security programs through Laboratory-wide collaboration and acts in an advisory capacity to the U.S. Government. Recently we have prototyped electronic systems and effects, conducted hardware-in-the-loop testing of tactically relevant payloads with surrogate threat systems, developed RF subsystems for satellites, and analyzed spacecraft mission dynamics, environments, and resiliency. Job Description Group 94, Electronics for Contested Space, is seeking an electrical engineer and/or physicist to design, build, and advance technology for electronic, electromagnetic, and RF systems. The successful candidate will work on multi-disciplinary teams executing advanced research and developing systems critical to National Security.

Responsibilities

• System engineering and subsystem design
• Computational modeling and simulation of complex and highly sensitive systems
• Hardware development, design, and optimization, e.g., RF/microwave and electronic subsystems
• Integration, test, measurement, analysis, and troubleshooting
• Laboratory validation and field testing of sensors and systems
• Development of new and creative ideas for novel sensor technologies and applications
• Occasional travel to support field exercises, presentations to sponsors and the community, and other events may be required.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a relevant technical field. In lieu of a Master's, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and at least 3 years of relevant experience will be considered.

Significant professional or academic experience in at least two of the following areas:

• Electromagnetic and RF engineering (system and/or design level)
• Radar systems: including radar system design, evaluation and analysis
• Remote sensing: passive/active RF and optical systems analysis, simulation, high-level design
• Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and ES/EA/EP applications
• Physics: classical electromagnetics, plasmas, optics, ionizing radiation
• Systems engineering: integrated modeling, interface management, concept development
• Space systems: vehicle design, environment analysis, performance estimation, risk assessment

Demonstrable ability to:

• Work responsibly and safely in laboratory and assembly environments
• Develop respectful, productive working relationships
• Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
• Solve broad and/or complex technical and/or engineering problems
• Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
• Analytic and/or scientific programming proficiency and experience (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar)

Skills

Active Top Secret Security Clearance highly desired.

• Hands-on laboratory experience, including troubleshooting of complex systems and experience with laboratory measurement and characterization (e.g., analog circuits, impedance analyzers, vector network analyzers, oscilloscopes)
• Strong foundation in fundamental physical concepts and rigorous analytical analysis
• Experience with advanced sensors including quantum sensors, e.g., Rydberg atomic sensors, precision clocks, and magnetometers
• Experience with extremely sensitive RF applications including radiometers and electronic surveillance
• Experience developing engineering and scientific analyses