Spectrum Engineer/Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

Summary

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with digital and mission innovations. The Spectrum Engineer will support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group by coordinating frequency assignments and conducting radio-frequency compatibility, propagation, link-budget, EMC, and interference analyses for aviation communications, navigation, and surveillance systems.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to the planning, coordination, and execution of FAA and non-FAA frequency assignment actions, ensuring that technical analyses and documentation conform to FAA Orders, the NTIA Manual (Redbook), and established engineering standards
• Perform radio-frequency compatibility analyses using the FAA’s spectrum-automation and modeling tools to identify and mitigate potential interference among communications, navigation, and surveillance systems
• Conduct RF propagation, link-budget, EMC, and interference analyses using FAA spectrum-automation and modeling tools
• Validate all technical data (location, equipment, parameters, emission designator, power, bandwidth, and antenna characteristics) for completeness and accuracy
• Collaborates closely with other federal and contractor engineers, Service Area Spectrum Offices, and FAA program offices to resolve technical issues and advance records through the assignment and coordination process

Skills

• The ideal candidate will have an electrical engineering degree or other training and at least 2 years of spectrum engineering and/or radio frequency engineering experience
• Must be commutable to the Washington DC area
• While the position itself is hybrid/remote (most of the time) – the candidate will be expected to go into the office in DC on an as needed basis
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or completion of a formal spectrum management course or equivalent military experience in spectrum management
• 2+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency engineering and/or spectrum engineering
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems
• Must be a US citizen
• Must have a security clearance of Secret or higher or be able to meet the requirements for one
• Knowledge of spectrum-engineering principles, electromagnetic theory, and radio-frequency propagation as applied to communications, navigation, and surveillance systems that support the National Airspace System (NAS)
• Experience in applying analytical and automation tools to perform frequency-assignment processing, data validation, and compatibility analysis, with attention to accuracy and completeness
• Experience evaluating radio-frequency system parameters to identify and mitigate potential interference and resolving routine and complex spectrum-engineering problems
• Familiar with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable
• Ability to perform engineering calculations (FSPL, link budgets, noise/interference ratios, power conversions)
• Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of spectrum management within the National Airspace System (NAS)
• Knowledge of frequency management practices, including engineering, assignment, and protection of radio frequencies, and the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Redbook
• Knowledge of and experience with various frequency policy organizations, including National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), and associated sub-committees, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Qualifications

Must Haves

• The ideal candidate will have an electrical engineering degree or other training and at least 2 years of spectrum engineering and/or radio frequency engineering experience
• Must be commutable to the Washington DC area
• While the position itself is hybrid/remote (most of the time) – the candidate will be expected to go into the office in DC on an as needed basis
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or completion of a formal spectrum management course or equivalent military experience in spectrum management
• 2+ years of relevant experience in radio frequency engineering and/or spectrum engineering
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems
• Must be a US citizen
• Must have a security clearance of Secret or higher or be able to meet the requirements for one

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of spectrum-engineering principles, electromagnetic theory, and radio-frequency propagation as applied to communications, navigation, and surveillance systems that support the National Airspace System (NAS)
• Experience in applying analytical and automation tools to perform frequency-assignment processing, data validation, and compatibility analysis, with attention to accuracy and completeness
• Experience evaluating radio-frequency system parameters to identify and mitigate potential interference and resolving routine and complex spectrum-engineering problems
• Familiar with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable
• Ability to perform engineering calculations (FSPL, link budgets, noise/interference ratios, power conversions)
• Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems
• Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of spectrum management within the National Airspace System (NAS)
• Knowledge of frequency management practices, including engineering, assignment, and protection of radio frequencies, and the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Redbook
• Knowledge of and experience with various frequency policy organizations, including National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), and associated sub-committees, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Benefits

• Hybrid/remote (most of the time)
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement