Radio Frequency (RF) Analyst

Job Description

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

SAIC is seeking a Radio Frequency (RF) Analyst to join the National Security and Space Sector (NSS). You would work on a joint Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) crown jewel program providing highly specialized space/counter-space engineering, scientific, and analytical services from Aurora, Colorado. We support the Nation’s leading-edge IC and DoD space programs and offer compelling, deep-technical work that has direct influence and impact on program development and operations. Our team has Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across a variety of disciplines, including physics, math, RF, optics, space acquisition and operations, and intelligence collection and analysis.

This RF Analyst will work in a collaborative team-focused environment of U.S. Government civilians and contractors solving applied technical problems and developing usable solutions for multiple space-related capabilities and threats.  The ideal candidate will:

·        Have the ability to conceptualize, synthesize, analyze, and assess the performance of specialized RF communications signals between satellites and ground stations using state-of-the-art signal processing analytic techniques

·        Be motivated by problem solving and development of new, potentially ground-breaking solutions to difficult problems in signal extraction and processing

·        Have experience developing requirements for and overseeing the design and development of state-of-the-art signal collection, processing, and analysis tools

Duties and responsibilities include:

·        Overseeing and participating in the development of new analytic algorithms

·        Maintenance and use of specialized hardware and software designed specifically for the detection of low power signals in high noise environments running under a LINUX operating system

·        Designing and writing experiment and test collection, analysis, and security plans

·        Participating in the collection and analysis of test and experimental signals in laboratory and real world environments, serving as lead when requested

·        Modeling and assessment of RF transmission and reception parameters such as antenna patterns, signal-to-noise ratios, noise uncertainty, signal strength, bit error rates, among others, to perform link budget analyses and probability of detect calculations

·        Assess the risk of detection of specific low power signals in high noise environments from threat and non-threat systems

·        Participating and representing the customer in various Government and contractor meetings and attend contractor programmatic and technical reviews (e.g., PMR, PDR, CDR, etc.) to provide technical recommendations and risk assessments

Qualifications

TYPICAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

·        Active TS/SCI Clearance with Special Access eligibility and consent to a Counter Intelligence (CI) polygraph. US Citizenship is required

·        Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering, Signal Processing, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics and 18 or more years (16 or more with a Masters) of direct experience with satellite communication  systems and/or RF signal processing methods

·        Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience conveying technical concepts, results, and summaries to internal customers, external customers, and stakeholders of diverse technical backgrounds

·        Demonstrated record of effective individual and group work behaviors, with abilities to proactively initiate and operate in dynamic and incompletely defined environments

·        Proven experience in satellite communications systems or analytic problem-solving relating to the performance of RF communication systems, especially satellite systems, and including topics such as: signal processing methods and algorithms, signal modulation and encoding schemes, direct sequence spread spectrum signal analysis, radiometry and extraction or enhancement of low power signals from a noise background

·        Demonstrated experience with low power communication systems and associated algorithms and methods

·        Fluent in specialized software tools or programming languages relevant for space communication system analyses, such as MATLAB, Python, C++, Fortran, or MS  Excel

Strongly Desired Skills:

·        Master’s or Doctorate Degree in RF Engineering, Signal Processing, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics

·        Familiarity with satellite communication systems and threats

·        Familiarity or experience with RF hardware systems including antenna systems, RF receivers, and high-speed digital recorders

·        Extensive knowledge of current and known future satellite communication systems

·        Understanding and familiarity with satellite astrodynamics and orbit analysis tools such as STK

·        Experience as a project or task technical lead

Target salary range: $200,001 - $225,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

Covid Policy: SAIC does not require COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters. Customer site vaccination requirements must be followed when work is performed at a customer site.

Overview

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation's technology transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, digital, artificial intelligence and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective and efficient solutions that are critical to achieving our customers' missions.

We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $6.9 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.