Description
Today, Electronic Warfare (EW) is a growing enterprise — protecting the warfighter and our national security against ever-adapting threats. Our division currently has an exciting opportunity for a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer to perform design, development, and hardware/software integration in Arlington, VA for the Electronic Warfare Division.
Our division primarily focuses on research & development and advanced prototyping, transforming state-of-the-art signal processing algorithms into real-time software systems deployed on advanced RF platforms.
The successful candidate will be an individual contributor responsible for designing, developing, and integrating high-performance SDR solutions using Ettus Research USRP platforms. This role requires expertise in real-time RF signal processing, low-latency streaming architectures, and software development close to the hardware layer. The ideal candidate is comfortable building production-grade SDR systems from the ground up and optimizing them for demanding operational environments.
Primary Responsibilities
Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus Research USRP hardware
Develop high-performance SDR applications using:
Implement and optimize:
Real-time DSP pipelines
Custom waveform generation
Modulation/demodulation chains
RF streaming architectures
High-throughput signal processing systems
Interface directly with:
FPGA-based SDR architectures
High-speed Ethernet transport layers
RF front ends and synchronization systems
Develop software for low-latency and real-time RF applications
Perform RF system integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting
Analyze and optimize:
Spectral performance
Timing synchronization
Throughput bottlenecks
RF impairments
Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications, sensing, or EW architectures
Produce technical documentation, interface definitions, and software architecture artifacts
Support lab and field testing activities, travel up to 15%
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in:
Must have 8+ years of expereince including strong hands-on experience with:
Strong proficiency in:
Modern C++
Python
Linux systems programming, including Linux performance optimization
Multithreaded and concurrent software architectures
Experience deploying systems with Red Hat Linux
Experience developing with:
UHD API
Real-time streaming systems
High-rate packet processing
Socket programming
Low-latency software architectures
Ettus RF Network On Chip (RFNoC) architecture
Strong understanding of:
RF fundamentals
Wireless communications systems
IQ signal processing
Digital modulation techniques
Wideband RF architectures
Spectrum analysis
Experience implementing:
OFDM
QPSK/QAM
Channel estimation
Synchronization algorithms
FFT/channelization pipelines
Adaptive filtering
Signal detection and classification
Time/frequency synchronization
Position requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one
Preferred Qualifications
Desired Traits
Strong systems engineering mindset
Ability to troubleshoot complex RF/software interactions
Comfortable working directly with hardware in lab and field environments
Capable of building production-grade SDR software from the ground up
Strong debugging, optimization, and performance tuning skills
Self-starter capable of operating in fast-paced R&D environments
NKE
ElectronicWarfare
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
May 21, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
Securing Your Data
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
