Software Defined Radio Engineer

Overview

We are seeking an Electrical or Computer Engineer who will focus on software-defined radio (SDR) system development, integration, and deployment. This position resides in the RF & Intelligent Systems Group in the Electrification and Energy Infrastructures Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). As part of our research team, you will design, prototype, and evaluate SDR solutions to process and analyze multi-channel RF signals in support of Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), and Intelligence Community (IC) mission areas.

In addition to developing sensor systems across complex RF environments, you will develop prototype communication systems—implementing end-to-end transmitter/receiver chains, novel waveforms, and protocol stacks—to enable over-the-air experiments, testbeds, and field demonstrations. Our specific focus is on SDR-based capabilities for cyber-physical systems and energy infrastructure security.

• Review literature on SDR architectures, RF front-ends, waveforms, and signal processing implementations
• Perform RF data acquisition, calibration, pre-processing, information extraction, and post-processing using existing SDR frameworks and algorithms
• Rapidly prototype SDR signal chains and systems through design, programming, hardware integration, testing, and demonstration
• Design and develop robust, user-friendly SDR systems at higher TRLs suitable for field deployments
• Specify, design, and implement prototype communication systems, including PHY/MAC layers, modulation and coding, synchronization, channel estimation, and link management
• Build and validate over-the-air links and testbeds; conduct lab and field trials to characterize performance (e.g., BER, throughput, latency) and iterate designs
• Plan and execute field work, including RF data collection in remote and harsh environments and safe handling of equipment
• Travel several times per year for SME support and field testing events
• Document results in technical reports and/or peer-reviewed publications
• Present findings at academic conferences and to research sponsors
• Work in a collaborative environment and represent ORNL well to external entities
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

• MS in electrical, computer engineering, or related field
• Graduate coursework or equivalent experience in stochastic processes, signal processing, and communications theory
• Understanding of RF concepts (e.g., antennas, link budgets, noise figure)
• Software development experience in C++ or Python
• Experience performing independent research, as evidenced by thesis or peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to perform field work (e.g., data collection in remote, harsh environments for several hours at a time; lifting equipment up to 30 lbs)
• Ability to proactively work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to acquire new knowledge and learn new skills
• Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory

• Experience with SDR software frameworks/APIs such as GNU Radio, UHD, Soapy
  
  SDR, libsidekiq, etc.
• Experience with SDR hardware from vendors such as Ettus, Epiq, etc.
• Printed circuit board (PCB) design and fabrication
• Machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI) coursework
• Experience with AI/ML libraries (Tensor Flow, PyTorch)

Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. A pre-hire physical will be required after offer.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret…