Communications Electronic Warfare Engineer

Do you enjoy developing and evaluating communication systems to understand their vulnerabilities?

Are you interested in creating new algorithms and techniques that will be implemented on electronic warfare platforms?

Would you like to help design tests, interpret data, and turn results into practical recommendations?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a Communications Electronic Warfare Engineer to help characterize communication systems and evaluate their behavior in contested environments to be able to develop countermeasures. As a member of our team, you will collaborate with engineers and scientists to plan test events, analyze data, and use modeling and simulation to guide technical decisions.

Your work will help sponsors understand system capabilities, identify potential limitations, prioritize next steps, and create solutions. Our team partners with government and industry to deliver RF capabilities that support U.S. citizens, service members, and allies.

As a Communications Electronic Warfare Engineer...

• Your primary responsibility will be to assess communication systems using analysis, modeling, simulation, and test, with an emphasis on electronic-warfare-relevant applications.
• You will contribute to system analyses by developing algorithms and techniques to be used as electronic countermeasures.
• You will apply communications theory, signal processing, and numerical tools to understand system behavior, estimate technique requirements, and evaluate practical trade-offs.
• You will communicate clear findings to sponsors and teammates, including recommendations for program direction, operational considerations, and areas for further investigation.

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

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field with relevant coursework or experience in communications, signals and systems, RF, or digital signal processing.
• Have at least three years of relevant experience with commercial or military communications systems, RF systems, electronic warfare systems, or related activities.
• Are familiar with signals and systems or digital signal processing concepts, including Fourier transforms, sampling and aliasing, filtering and frequency response, time-frequency analysis, SNR analysis, and related RF analysis products.
• Have experience using MATLAB, Python, or similar numerical tools for modeling, simulation, measurement analysis, or digital signal processing.
• Are able to occasionally travel to off-site government facilities.
• Are able to obtain an interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain and maintain a TS/SCI-level security clearance and meet SAP eligibility requirements. 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...

• Have experience characterizing communication systems in electronic-warfare-relevant environments, including identifying potential electronic attack approaches or estimating jamming power and technique requirements.
• Have assessed how jamming technique effectiveness requirements translate to platform-level performance, operational effectiveness, or tactics recommendations.
• Bring depth in advanced communications or signal-processing topics, such as spectrograms, wavelets, channel estimation, adaptive modulation and coding, error control coding, or multiple-access techniques.
• Communicate analysis and test outcomes clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders, including practical recommendations and known limitations.

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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 https://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 Accessibility@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.