Radio Frequency; RF Systems Engineer

Job Summary

Battelle is seeking a Systems Engineer with a specialization in Radio Frequency (RF) systems to support the development of advanced communications, electronic warfare (EW), and sensing systems within the Advanced Microsystems Solutions (AMS) portfolio.

This role is responsible for RF system architecture, design, integration, testing, and lifecycle support, with a strong emphasis on systems engineering rigor, test automation, and requirements management. The position will work across the full system lifecycle—from concept and requirements through design, integration, validation, and sustainment.

This position is based in Columbus, Ohio and supports complex RF‑centric programs including phased array, SDR, and EW‑based systems.

• Define and develop end‑to‑end RF system architectures, including antennas and apertures, RF front‑end components (Tx/Rx chains), IF/baseband and processing interfaces.
• Perform system‑level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk.
• Translate mission and customer needs into technical system architectures and design solutions.
• Contribute to system design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and technical baselines.

• Lead or support design and development of complex RF systems across the lifecycle.
• Ensure system designs are scalable, testable, maintainable, and aligned with requirements.
• Support implementation of system‑level functionality, including hardware/software integration points.
• Drive model‑based systems engineering (MBSE) or structured system engineering methodologies.

• Plan and execute system integration activities across RF subsystems and components.
• Develop and support integration strategies, verification plans, and validation approaches.
• Lead or support laboratory integration, field testing and evaluation, and system‑level performance validation.
• Collaborate with RF, test, and software engineers to ensure end‑to‑end system functionality.

• Develop and implement automated test frameworks and procedures for RF system validation.
• Analyze system performance data to identify issues and failure modes, validate system requirements, and inform design improvements.
• Support test instrumentation strategy and integration with system‑level architectures.

• Capture, define, and maintain system‑level requirements and traceability.
• Flow down requirements to subsystem and component levels.
• Ensure alignment of requirements, design implementation, and verification and validation.
• Support use of requirements tools and frameworks (e.g., DOORS, Cameo, or equivalents).

• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks across RF system programs.
• Conduct risk analyses, trade studies, and contingency planning.
• Proactively address integration, performance, and schedule risks.

• Work closely with RF engineers and designers, antenna engineers, software/embedded teams, test and integration teams.
• Support proposal efforts, IRAD initiatives, and technical documentation.
• Serve as a technical liaison between engineering teams, program leadership, and customers.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field and 5+ years relevant experience.
• Experience in RF systems engineering, integration, or architecture.
• Strong understanding of RF system design and signal flow, system integration and test methodologies, and requirements management and systems engineering processes.
• Ability to work across multi‑disciplinary engineering teams.
• U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret security clearance.

• Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, phased array or beamforming systems, Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms, and model‑based systems engineering (MBSE).
• Familiarity with RF test equipment and lab environments, test automation tools and frameworks, MATLAB, Python, or similar for modeling and analysis.
• Experience supporting system lifecycle activities (concept → deployment → sustainment).
• Holds an…