Radio Frequency (RF)/Spectrum Engineer

Description

Leidos is seeking a skilled Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the NISC IV program . This is an exciting opportunity to play a critical role in managing the RF spectrum that enables safe and efficient communication between air traffic controllers and pilots in the National Airspace System (NAS).

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in RF engineering, frequency coordination, and spectrum management, and will work closely with FAA stakeholders, engineering teams, and regulatory bodies to ensure mission-critical systems remain compliant and interference-free.

Primary Responsibilities:

Radio Frequency and Spectrum Engineering

• Provide technical expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Land Mobile Radio (LMR)
  • Air-to-Ground (A/G) communications
  • Aviation Surveillance (e.g., secondary surveillance radar, ADS-B, multi-lateration)
  • NAVAIDs
  • Microwave links
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
  • Counter-UAS
  • Link-16/JTIDS/MIDS

• Engineer and coordinate frequency assignments to avoid RF interference and ensure system compatibility across the National Air Space (NAS).
• Conduct Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and interference assessments for new or modified frequency assignments.
• Detect and analyze Link-16 and Counter-UAS impacts on the National Air Space (NAS).
• Ensure compliance with NTIA Redbook, FAA policies, and federal spectrum regulations.
• Review, correct, and update frequency assignments in accordance with NTIA.
• Review and validate frequency assignment data and evaluate system compatibility.
• Prepare engineering analyses, coordination summaries, safety cases, and technical reports.
• Utilize RF coverage simulation tools, MATLAB.
• Work directly with FAA stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and technical teams to coordinate spectrum usage and resolve issues.
• Communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Participate in cross-functional engineering and policy working groups related to spectrum management.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering or related field or completion of Spectrum Management course and/or related military experience/classification in Spectrum Management (e.g., AFSC 3D1X4, MOS 25E). Additional years of professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• 3+ years of prior relevant experience in one or more of the following:
  • Radio frequency (RF) Engineering
  • Radio Frequency Interference Detection
  • Frequency Coordination and Management
  • Telecommunications Systems
  • Spectrum Coordination and Management
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Land Mobile Radio (LMR)
  • Aviation Surveillance (e.g., secondary surveillance radar, ADS-B, multi-lateration)
  • Air-to-Ground (A/G) Communications
  • NAVAIDs
  • Microwave Links
  • Link-16/JTIDS/MIDS
  • Counter-UAS
  • Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
  • Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
  • Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
  • National Air Space (NAS) Systems
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiar with frequency assignment principles, RF propagation, and interference mitigation.
• Able to learn specialized tools and databases used for frequency management and analysis.
• Must be a US citizen with an ACTIVE security clearance .

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with frequency assignment principles, RF propagation, and interference mitigation.
• Familiar with tools used for frequency impact analysis, interference prediction, or electromagnetic compatibility assessment.
• Exposure to RF propagation tools or geographic/spatial analysis tools used in spectrum planning.
• Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems.
• Ability to perform Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) calculations, Link Budgets, dBW/dBm/Watt conversions.
• Knowledge of responsibilities of spectrum management within the National Airspace System (NAS).
• Familiar with MATLAB, Python, Power BI, or related software.
• Familiar with Spectrum XXI is a plus.

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We dont wear capes (theyre a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for how its always been done.

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.