Sr Research Engineer - RF & Systems Engineer
Listed on 2026-08-28
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Engineering
Systems Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Test Engineer
Senior Research Engineer
SRI is seeking a Senior Research Engineer with deep expertise in RF and Systems Engineering to lead the development, integration, and evaluation of advanced radar, communications, and sensing systems from our office in Boulder, CO. This role emphasizes RF system architecture, requirements development, system-level design and analysis, hardware/software integration, and hands-on prototype development and testing.
You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced systems spanning RF hardware, antennas, digital signal processing, embedded computing, software, and firmware. Applications include radar, communications, electronic warfare, remote sensing, quantum sensing, and photonics. The ideal candidate combines strong RF fundamentals with a systems-level perspective and enjoys taking complex technologies from initial concept and requirements through prototype development, field demonstration, and transition.
This role is part of SRI's Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging systems, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics.
Responsibilities- Lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of advanced RF radar, communications, and sensing systems
- Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification approaches
- Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, radar performance analysis, noise analysis, dynamic range, sensitivity, and interference assessments
- Develop system architectures spanning antennas, RF front ends, transmit/receive chains, data converters, embedded processors, FPGAs, GPUs, and software
- Perform engineering trade studies involving performance, SWaP, cost, complexity, reliability, and technical risk
- Guide hardware/software/firmware partitioning and subsystem interface development
- Lead system integration, troubleshooting, verification, and performance characterization in laboratory and field environments
- Analyze test results against system requirements and identify opportunities for performance improvement
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams
- Contribute to new concepts, white papers, technical proposals, program reviews, and customer briefings
- Identify new business development opportunities, engage with potential customers, and write white papers and full proposals
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world impact
- Collaborative, mission-driven research environment
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
- Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and career growth
- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field
- B.S. + 8 years, M.S. + 6 years, or Ph.D. + 3 years of relevant experience
- U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
Technical Expertise
- Strong background in RF and microwave engineering, including RF architectures, signal chains, antennas, and transmit/receive systems
- Demonstrated experience with radar, RF communications, electronic warfare, or related sensing systems
- Experience developing system architectures and translating system-level requirements into subsystem requirements and interfaces
- Understanding of radar and communications performance analysis, including SNR, noise figure, dynamic range, propagation, and waveform considerations
- Solid foundation in digital signal processing and hands-on experience with RF laboratory instrumentation
Applied Experience
- Experience developing complex RF systems from concept through integration, test, and demonstration
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot interactions across RF hardware, digital hardware, firmware, software, and algorithms
- Familiarity with real-time processing platforms such as SDRs, FPGAs, GPUs, and So Cs
- Experience developing and executing system-level verification and test activities
Additional Skills
- Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar engineering/programming environments
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and system-level problem-solving skills
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers
- Experience with technical documentation, design reviews, proposals, and customer presentations
- Willingness to travel occasionally for testing, demonstrations, and customer engagement
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Top Secret (TS) clearance; SCI and/or recent SAP experience preferred
- Experience with RF/EM simulation tools such as ADS, HFSS, or CST
- Experience with maritime, airborne, or other operational sensing environments
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical efforts and mentoring junior engineers
The salary range is: $117,684-$175,054. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic…
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