Principal RF and Spectrum Engineer

Location: McLean, Virginia

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MITRE operates six Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) including the Center for Enterprise Modernization (CEM) co-sponsored by the Department of Commerce. In the CEM FFRDC, we help Commerce in their mission to create economic growth and opportunity for all Americans. We do this by helping design new sensors and satellites, analyzing trade and industrial policy, prototyping cutting-edge, AI-enabled software, and working with industry to accelerate their entry into global markets.

MITRE is seeking a strong Spectrum/RF engineer who can function as a technical lead for spectrum-related research and test activities supporting the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in RF systems, antennas, communications, radar, waveforms, and spectrum-dependent technologies, combined with a strong background in test and evaluation.

In this position, you will directly support NOAA on upcoming spectrum band studies, assessing the ability of systems like the NEXRAD radars to operate in various study scenarios as directed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the NTIA band study plans. In this role, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team working in the public interest to expand access to spectrum for industry while protecting critical government missions.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• NOAA Representation: Serve as a primary technical representative for NOAA, interfacing directly with stakeholders executing the band studies.
• Strategic Technical Leadership: Provide strategic direction across the Commerce work program on the band studies to help the government move fast with engineering rigor.
• Deep Technical Consulting: Analyze complex electromagnetic spectrum requirements and research emerging wireless technologies to advise sponsors on system integration and strategic impacts.
• Hands-on Modeling & Prototyping: Utilize programming environments such as MATLAB or Python to develop system-level engineering models, prototype sensor algorithms, and analyze complex signal processing data.
• Test Design & Execution: Architect formal test methodologies, participate in physical data collections, conduct lab experiments, and guide advanced test facility operations.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Foster collaborative engineering environments and quickly develop the technical and professional skills of junior staff through dedicated mentoring.
• Industry Liaison: Liaise with  industry to maintain understanding of technical developments in telecom that will shape the future of spectrum coexistence.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience. 
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communications Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical discipline.
• Experience heavily rooted in hands-on wireless testing, spectrum management, or RF/sensor systems engineering.
• Demonstrated deep technical expertise across military and commercial spectrum-dependent wireless systems, including radio systems, waveforms, MILSATCOM, cellular, and radar systems.
• Proven proficiency planning and conducting formal test methodologies, including hands-on data analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and briefing skills with a verified ability to communicate granular technical concepts simply and concisely to both engineering teams and non-technical project leadership.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.

• This position requires a minimum of 3 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communications Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical discipline.
• Active Secret security clearance.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

Work Location Type:

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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