Electrical / Computer Engineer - RF

Are you ready to make real contributions to impactful engineering work?

At APL, we tackle the toughest challenges on projects of all scales spanning from submarines to spacecraft.  If you’re passionate about pushing boundaries and advancing your career while contributing to national defense and NASA initiatives, this is the place for you. If you have recently graduated with a degree in electrical or computer engineering, we’d love to have you join our team!

We are seeking an Electrical / Computer Engineer - RF to help us design, analyze, test and deploy pioneering electrical and electromechanical systems. You will work alongside and learn from a team of experienced engineers while contributing to exciting projects that support the US Department of Defense and NASA. Our team strives to develop, apply, and maintain deep expertise in electrical and embedded systems.

As a member of our team, you will:

• Lead the design and development of advanced RF systems, including transmitters, receivers, antennas, and signal processing chains.
• Conduct and support RF testing in specialized environments, including anechoic chambers and GTEM cells, to evaluate system performance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define requirements, perform system-level design, and select components.
• Simulate, prototype, and test RF and mixed-signal circuits using tools such as HFSS, ADS, SPICE, and MATLAB.
• Drive integration of embedded hardware and software with RF subsystems.
• Conduct detailed analysis and characterization of RF system performance using lab instrumentation (e.g., spectrum analyzers, VNA, signal generators).
• Perform assessment of materials and systems response to propagating RF energy
• Communicate designs and findings to both internal and external audiences
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to shaping APL’s RF capabilities.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 8 years of professional experience in electrical or computer engineering.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following: RF circuit design, antenna design, radar systems, wireless communications, embedded systems, or power systems.
• Experience with embedded hardware integration and mixed-domain system development.
• Familiarity with RF modeling/simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, MATLAB) and measurement techniques.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to document designs and results.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• A Ph.D. or advanced research experience in electromagnetics, RF systems, or signal processing.
• Experience leading technical teams or managing complex engineering tasks.
• Experience with advanced RF experimental test setups involving anechoic and GTEM chambers.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C/C , or HDL (VHDL/Verilog).
• Expertise with microwave systems, radar, or communications payloads.
• Experience in the design, test or analysis of optical systems.
• Experience in the design, test, or analysis of FPGA-based signal processing (DSP) or software-defined radio (SDR) platforms.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Salary : $90,000 - $350,000