RF Systems Engineer; Principal Engineer

Overview

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.

Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. Our 2,750+ employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on difficult nuclear security challenges.

The Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) is a diverse, multi-mission laboratory delivering timely, innovative, high-impact national security solutions. STL is a key player and leader that provides NNSS, NNSA, and inter-agencies with capabilities that address national security requirements. NNSS-STL seeks RF Systems Engineer candidates to work at STL in Santa Barbara, CA. The role supports core portfolios in Dynamic Experiments, Nonproliferation R&D, Cyber Physical Defense, and Strategic Systems and Intelligence across sensors, autonomous systems, atmospheric RF propagation, communications, and related areas.

In this role you will support engineering and scientific efforts by selecting and designing antennas, designing circuit boards with demanding RF requirements, developing novel circuitry for compact oscillators and delay structures, and designing calibration and tuning procedures for antenna characterization and optimization. You will develop link budgets for communications links and help troubleshoot hardware. You will work with a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians across all phases of technology development from concept to deployment.

Work schedule is flexible and negotiable with the manager; 5-8, 9-80 or 4-10 work-weeks is available.

• Develop antenna design, fabrication, tuning, and characterizations
• Develop RF simulation and circuit designs
• Power and link budget analysis for communications systems and radars
• Develop digital signal processing and communications system designs
• Conduct oversight of research, data compilation and data analysis
• Equipment vulnerability assessment & red-teaming
• Hands-on operation and test of hardware and firmware
• Lead small teams and mentor junior staff
• Develop or present education or training in applicable discipline
• Write and/or contribute on proposals for funded projects and R&D

• Bachelor’s degree in an ABET-accredited engineering program (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) or calculus-based STEM degree;
  Professional Engineer license
• Plus at least 9 years’ relevant experience; graduate research may be recognized
• Ability to interpret codes and standards applicable to the position
• Familiarity with anechoic chamber operation for antenna characterization
• Familiarity with wireless standards/protocols (Cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Iridium, etc.)
• Familiarity with RF modulation formats (QAM, PSK, m-Ary)
• Familiarity with real-world RF effects (multipath, fading, atmospheric effects)
• Familiarity with RF chipsets and embedded hardware (MCU/FPGA) techniques for baseband demodulation is desirable
• Familiarity with worldwide spectrum allocation and FCC/ETSI requirements
• Familiarity with IoT protocols such as MQTT (encrypted, authenticated) is desirable
• Willingness to travel to meetings and field tests
• Demonstrated desire to learn and innovate; ability to follow instructions and procedures; self-motivated and able to complete tasks with minimal supervision
• Strong time-management, organization, safety, and broad technical interests
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Primary work location: STL in Santa Barbara, CA
• Work schedule negotiable: 5-8, 9-80 or 4-10 weeks
• Pre-placement physical examination and drug screen; MSTS substance abuse policy including random drug testing
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years old

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a data/background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $ - $. Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, education and experience, and internal equity.