RF Communications Engineer

Primary Responsibilities

The RF Communications Engineer will support the Leidos Space Platforms Portfolio in the development of a lunar terrain vehicle system and support equipment, primarily responsible for subsystem integration, qualification, and testing of RF communications hardware into a seamless operational system. This position requires expertise in RF simulation analysis, subsystem-level testing, electromagnetic compatibility testing, and end-to-end system verification.

The role also requires the ability to translate high-level product development strategies into system requirement specifications and to work with multi-discipline engineering teams to develop lower-level detailed requirements.

Candidates will work in a team environment to support design through product implementation and should be able to contribute to engineering design dispositions and support resolution of documentation discrepancies in coordination with Lunar Outpost and other team members.

Candidate may be required to travel as necessary (10-20%).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited institution with 5+ years of prior relevant experience or Master's degree with 3+ years of prior relevant experience.
• Candidates with PhD degrees are encouraged to apply, with degree level substitution for direct industry work experience.
• Must have experience with roles, as detailed in this description, with an engineering company or system integrator where design, integration, testing, and/or modification of human-rated aerospace systems communications hardware was involved.
• Must have demonstrated experience developing RF link budgets along with hardware experience with space-based transceivers, antennas, and amplifiers.
• Must have hands-on experience with RF simulation and analysis tools such as HFSS, CST Studio Suite, ADS, or equivalent electromagnetic simulation software.
• Must have experience conducting subsystem-level testing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, and end-to-end communications system verification.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have demonstrated experience effectively communicating within a team environment.
• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• US Citizenship is required with ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Space Communications Systems
• Demonstrated the ability to architect and implement complex space-based RF communication links/systems from concept through flight operations.
• Proficiency with CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) standards and NASA communication protocols.
• Understanding of communications with regards to navigation and telemetry systems.
• Understanding standards for packet data formats, coding and synchronization, modulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK, OQPSK, APSK, SOQPSK, GMSK), and forward error correction algorithms.
• Experience with lunar surface communications systems and rover-to-orbiter relay architectures.
• Cislunar or deep space communications heritage.
• Experience with NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) or Near Space Network (NSN) operations.
• Wi-Fi and Commercial Wireless Systems
• Experience with Wi-Fi standards including IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) protocols and implementations.
• Hands-on experience with integration and testing of Wi-Fi subsystems in aerospace or ruggedized environments.
• Experience with Wi-Fi performance tests including throughput, latency, packet error rate, and range testing.
• Experience with Wi-Fi coexistence analysis and mitigation in multi-radio environments.
• Knowledge of Wi-Fi security protocols (WPA2, WPA3) and network configuration for mission-critical applications.
• Experience conducting Wi-Fi subsystem qualification testing including environmental testing (thermal, vibration, vacuum).
• Knowledge of MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) antenna systems and beamforming techniques for Wi-Fi applications.
• RF Design and Analysis
• Experience with RF PCB design using tools such as Altium Designer or Keysight ADS.
• Proficiency in STK (Systems Tool Kit) integration and scripting for mission analysis and end-to-end system modeling.
• Programming experience in Python, C/C++, MATLAB, or similar languages for RF system analysis and automation.
• Coordinating and planning frequency spectrum with Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Interagency Operations Advisory Group (IOAG), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG), and International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Obtaining space-based communication permits and licenses.
• Knowledgeable with electromagnetic interference (EMI) analysis and testing, passive intermodulation (PIM), and harmonic effects.
• Experience with cosite analysis and antenna pattern analysis using computational electromagnetic software such as STK, HFSS, E3Expert, GEMACS, and/or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Familiarity with mobile platform antenna systems, phased array antennas, and vehicular RF integration challenges.
• Experience across multiple frequency bands including S-Band, X-Band, Ka-Band, C-Band, L-Band, and ISM band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz) RF design.
• Knowledge of RF filter design (microstrip and waveguide).
• Experience with test bench equipment including VNA, VSG, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and Wi-Fi test equipment.