RF/Microwave Design Engineer- (Active Top Secret Clearance required)

Job Title: RF/Microwave Design Engineer - (Active Top Secret Clearance required)
Duration: 3+ years
Client: Defense Research Lab
Location: Lexington, MA 02421, United States

Work Location (Hybrid): Onsite - The individual should expect to be onsite 4 days a week with up to 1 day remote. Final schedule TBD by hiring manager.
Travel: Estimated to be 15% (estimated to be a week every other month) - domestic.

Job Overview:
Designs, develops, tests radio frequency (RF) and/or microwave systems architecture, components, circuits, or products. Includes antenna design, both reflector and array systems, frequency synthesizers, transmitters and receivers. Participates in electrical design tasks including requirements analysis, specification generation, interface definition, component selection, circuit simulation, schematic capture, and board layout. Participates in simulation, testing and troubleshooting of RF circuits and subsystems. Develops test plans and procedures for RF subsystems. Sub-system circuit design. Participates in required design reviews. Designs or develops radio frequency equipment and products which are used for the testing process of radio frequencies. Produces radio frequency devices and components ensuring that the design specifications are completely followed. Troubleshoots any problems found in radio frequency testing equipment or circuits. Knowledgeable in system architecture and specifications. Optimizes and analyzes the network and improving its performance if necessary. Ensures that reliability requirements are met in the design: these include E.M.C (electromagnetic compatibility), safety, manufacturability and thermal design aspects.

Background/Need:
The Cyber Physical Systems Group tackles key problems in the convergence of cybersecurity and the physical world in an interdisciplinary research and development environment. We conduct research to understand and leverage the cybersecurity implications of cyber-physical phenomena and develop first-of-their-kind prototypes for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and federal agencies. We focus on cyber-physical sensing, cyber-physical effects, and red-teaming using techniques like building or applying advanced and novel sensors, digital processing, side-channel analysis, AI/ML, reverse engineering, system exploitation, and RF communications.

Job Description:
Senior RF Engineer with expertise in signal processing, embedded systems, and cybersecurity to advance our mission-critical programs. The ideal candidate will combine hands-on experience in real-time software development (C/C++, Python), digital signal processing (DSP), and RF engineering.

Key Responsibilities:
Full-cycle development of real-time, resource-constrained systems (e.g., SDR-based adaptive filtering, GPS spoofing mitigation) using AI/ML and DSP techniques.
Architect and prototype cybersecurity capabilities to counteract SIGINT threats, jamming interference, and target tracking challenges.
Collaborate with stakeholders to design functioning prototypes aligned with operational constraints.
Communicate complex concepts clearly to senior leadership and non-specialist audiences.

Required Skills:
Advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience in these or related fields.
Proficiency in DSP algorithm design, embedded software development (C/C++, Python), and real-time system integration.
Familiarity with RF prototyping tools (e.g., SDR, MATLAB), test environments, and low-level hardware interfaces.
Experience with AI/ML for signal analysis or cybersecurity (e.g., ML-enhanced emitter classification).

Preferred Skills:
Strong commitment to innovation in cyber-physical sensing systems, including field-deployable solutions.
Ideal candidates are eager to build on their expertise in SIGINT applications, real-time systems, and AI to address high-stakes national security challenges.

Other:
Clearance: Candidates must have a Top Secret (SCI) clearance to be considered for this position due to the nature of the work being done. Do not submit candidates if they do not meet this requirement.
Travel: Estimated to be 15% (estimated to be a week every other month) - domestic.
Work Location: Onsite - The individual should expect to be onsite 4 days a week with up to 1 day remote. Final schedule TBD by hiring manager.
Interview Process: 1st round interview will be a Zoom with the hiring manager. 2nd round interview will be a Zoom with additional team members as needed.