Sensor Array Scientist

Description

The Leidos Research Support Team supporting the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking a Sensor Array Scientist to join our team in Pittsburgh, PA. This opportunity will allow side by side execution of research with world‑class scientists and engineers using state of the art equipment to contribute to new areas of basic and applied research.

The successful candidate will collaborate on an interdisciplinary team spanning industry, academic, and national laboratory partners that seeks to develop a wireless sensor network for infrastructure sensing. The development cycle spans conceptual development through field demonstration. Knowledge of passive microwave sensor devices and networking methodologies demonstrated automation and testing using state‑of‑the‑art RF/microwave techniques, and hands‑on experience working with RF and microwave propagation systems are highly desired.

An ideal candidate would also be capable of leveraging analytical models, finite element modeling, and other simulation tools for device modeling, sensor network development, and instrumentation automation. Publications in high‑quality scientific peer‑reviewed journals, presentations at national and international technical meetings, and the development of new intellectual property are all expected outcomes of the research to be performed.

Location:

This position is onsite at the NETL campus in Pittsburgh, PA 4 days a week, and 1 day a week from home office.

• Design, simulate, and optimize Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices based on sensing stimuli of interest.
• Work with functional material scientists to design and develop devices capable of detecting pipeline environmental factors.
• Model and analyze radio wave propagation in complex pipeline environments, use results for design of high efficiency antenna.
• Use RF and microwave systems to wirelessly interrogate SAW sensors and measure changes in infrastructure conditions at desired locations.
• Implement real‑time wireless data acquisition, synchronization, and secure communication protocols for SAW sensors array.
• Plan and participate in field test demonstrations of developed technologies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary group of science researchers to accomplish project tasks.
• Create and deliver oral, poster presentations of results in meetings and at technical conferences/workshops.
• Effectively document and communicate scientific results through peer‑review journal manuscripts and technical reports.

• Masters’ or PhD degree in electrical engineering, engineering physics, or other related fields.
• Experience with research, implementation, and evaluation of active and passive RF / microwave communication networks. (Software Defined Radio experience preferred)
• Experience with device fabrication and testing (ideally in harsh environments).
• Experience leveraging analytical models, finite element analysis (COMSOL experience preferred), and other simulation tools for device modeling, sensor network development, and instrumentation automation.
• Hands‑on familiarity with laboratory equipment such as vector network analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, data acquisition and processing systems using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or other programming languages.
• Design and development expertise with surface acoustic wave sensors is required. Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

Salary Range for this position: $100K to $110K

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.