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RF Engineer

MIT Lincoln Laboratory
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Lexington, KY, USA
Sep 21, 2026

Location:Lexington, MA, US

The Homeland Protection Systems Group works with the U.S. Government and other stakeholders to develop, assess, and rapidly transition advanced technologies to address emerging national security priorities in the homeland. In recent years, the group has successfully deployed innovative technology solutions to safeguard the National Airspace, population centers, and critical infrastructure. Leveraging our expertise in complex systems analysis, advanced algorithm development, and hardware prototyping, our team of analysts, engineers, and technologists applies cutting-edge techniques in data analysis, predictive analytics, and systems engineering to solve complex Homeland Protection problems and strengthen national security.

Job Description

Position Overview
We are seeking a talented applicant with experience in radars, RF design, and signal processing. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise in radio frequency engineering, with a focus on phased array radar systems, signal processing, digital beamforming, cognitive radar, antenna calibration, and analysis. This position offers the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects relevant to critical national priorities, with an emphasis on air surveillance, air defense, UAS, counter-UAS, counter-swarm and weather forecasting mission areas.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, calibrate, test, and assess phased array radar antennas and systems.

  • Develop and implement digital beamforming algorithms and architectures.

  • Perform signal processing analysis for radar detection, tracking, and imaging applications.

  • Execute modeling, simulation, and analysis of phased array antennas and RF subsystems.

  • Perform system-level performance analysis, including array calibration, beampattern optimization, and adaptive processing techniques.

  • Develop and execute test plans for phased array radar prototypes in laboratory and field environments.

  • Analyze radar performance metrics including detection probability, false alarm rates, and resolution capabilities.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including systems engineers, signal processing specialists, software developers, and algorithm designers.

  • Analyze and troubleshoot RF and beamforming performance issues and implement solutions.

  • Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for internal stakeholders and sponsors.

  • Stay current with emerging technologies in phased array systems, digital beamforming, and advanced signal processing.

  • Ideate and develop novel concept designs and new project initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education:

  • Master’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related technical field, OR

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related technical field with 4 or more years of relevant professional experience


Technical Skills:

  • Strong understanding of phased array radar principles, architectures, and operation

  • Experience with digital beamforming techniques and implementations

  • Proficiency in radar signal processing including detection algorithms, clutter mitigation, and target tracking

  • Experience with RF simulation and design tools

  • Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or similar languages for algorithm development and analysis

  • Knowledge of array antenna design, calibration techniques, and beam steering methods

  • Familiarity with RF test equipment and phased array measurement techniques

  • Understanding of adaptive beamforming and space-time adaptive processing (STAP) concepts


Other Requirements:

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems

  • Knowledge of advanced digital beamforming architectures including hybrid beamforming and fully digital arrays

  • Experience applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to radar signal processing, beamforming optimization, or target recognition

  • Knowledge of cognitive radar concepts and adaptive waveform design

  • Familiarity with air surveillance, air defense, UAS, counter-UAS, counter-swarm and/or weather forecasting mission areas.

  • Publications or patents in phased array technology, digital beamforming, or radar signal processing

  • Active security clearance

Work Environment

This position involves working in both laboratory and office settings. Some travel may be required for field tests, technical meetings, or collaboration with sponsor organizations.


What We Offer

  • Professional development opportunities and continuing education support

  • Collaborative work environment with access to advanced technology research and development across a variety of mission areas and research fields

  • Opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects relevant to critical national security interests.

Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $116,400 - $140,000

Experienced Hiring Range: $116,400 - $182,200

Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including-but not limited to-the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include: 

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
  • MIT-funded pension
  • Matching 401K
  • Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
  • Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • A range of work-life balance options
  • ... and much more!  

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 42926 

Job ID

1386364700|loc1

Security Clearance

SECRET
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