Principal RF Research Scientist; RFML​/DSP​/SDR

Principal RF Research Scientist (RFML/DSP/SDR)

Job Location s: US-MD-College Park

This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer site near College Park, MD.

• Leading or co-leading the technical design, development, and prototyping of RF sensing/communications solutions including detection/classification, waveform characterization, interference mitigation, spectrum situational awareness, link analysis, or related mission applications
• Developing and evaluating DSP algorithms for real-world RF environments
• Applying machine learning/deep learning approaches to RF problems
• Implementing research prototypes in Python, C, C++, Java, or other languages, with emphasis on reproducibility, performance, and operational relevance
• Integration and testing of algorithms on SDR platforms (USRP-class devices) using GNU Radio and/or custom frameworks
• Research and prototype against relevant wireless standards and stacks (LTE/5G concepts, open-source implementations, or other waveforms/protocols aligned to program needs)
• Production of high-quality technical artifacts and contributing to publications and/or patents where appropriate
• Serve as a technical interface with the government customer by leading technical exchanges, communicating results clearly, and translating mission needs into R&D plans
• Contributing to business development by supporting capture, authoring technical volumes/whitepapers, developing ROMs, and identifying follow-on opportunities
• Mentoring of junior staff and defining technical direction

* This position may be eligible for an increased sign-on bonus. Eligibility, bonus amount, and applicable terms and conditions will be discussed during the recruiting process*

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#PLABS
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• Minimum of 12+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 10+ years of experience with a Master's degree, or 8+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in Computer Science or related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 16 years.
• Demonstrated depth in one or more of the following: RFML, DSP, and/or SDR/wireless prototyping
• Strong RF fundamentals: sampling, modulation, channel effects, noise/interference, link budgets, synchronization, detection/estimation
• Hands-on development experience in Python and/or C/C++ within a SCIF environment
• Experience developing and validating prototypes using SDR hardware and/or RF test setups
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical work clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, lead small technical teams, and collaborate across disciplines
• Experience supporting or leading DoD/IC customer engagement and contributing to proposal/capture activities
• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position
• This position requires an active/current TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

• Strong applied experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch and/or Tensor Flow/Keras
• Experience with robustness/adversarial considerations in RFML
• Experience with real-time or embedded implementation constraints
• Familiarity with GNU Radio, UHD, and SDR driver/tooling, to include third-party SDR platforms beyond USRP
• Experience with distributed signal processing (multi-sensor, coherent/distributed collections, time sync, networked RF systems)
• Familiarity with Linux, Git, containers (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD, and reproducible research pipelines
• History of publications/patents, conference presentations, or documented technical leadership
• Experience in DoD/IC mission environments and/or rapid prototyping for field or operational demonstrations

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