Communications & Signal Processing Engineer

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.Department SummaryMITRE operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in support of various U.S. Government agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others. Our sponsors rely on a wide range of wireless communications systems, including commercial radios, cellular technologies, satellite communications, tactical data links, and other mission-critical systems. We assess, design, analyze, prototype, and test advanced communications technologies to further the public good.Applicant Note: Please be aware that this is not an application for a specific position. By submitting your information and providing your resume, you will be included in a pool of candidates for various full-time positions for communications and signal processing opportunities across the company. If you are selected for consideration for a particular position, a member of MITRE’s recruiting team will reach out to you. About the RoleYou will help shape the next generation of resilient wireless communications for U.S. Government sponsors, including strategic and national-level command and control communications and other mission-assured systems. You will apply your expertise in digital signal processing (DSP), wireless systems, and networking-aware architectures to develop, evaluate, and prototype innovative solutions for contested and degraded environments. Those activities will include one or more of following:Develop novel DSP and signal processing algorithms to improve signal detection and classification in congested, contested, and denied environmentsDesign and implement PHY/baseband algorithms (e.g., OFDM, MIMO, beamforming, advanced channel coding) for modern wireless systemsEvaluate different MIMO transmission schemes and beamforming approaches for throughput, interference management, and robustnessConduct theoretical analysis to assess the performance of novel geolocation and direction-finding techniquesDesign and prototype waveforms for challenging channels (e.g., long-haul, beyond-line-of-sight, high-dynamics, and fading environments)Work with advanced wireless and SATCOM technologies (5G/6G, LTE, Wi‑Fi, tactical data links, protected SATCOM, VLF/HF/UHF/EHF systems, beyond-line-of-sight communications)Prototype, modify, and integrate open-source tools to demonstrate new application areas (e.g., GNU Radio, USRP-based SDR testbeds)Apply machine learning and AI techniques to RF and baseband data for tasks such as signal classification, interference mitigation, RF fingerprinting, and adaptive waveform/beamforming optimizationSupport communications systems development and analysis by designing and analyzing components such as synchronization, forward error correction (LDPC, Turbo, convolutional codes), spread spectrum, medium access control, channel equalization, and interference cancellationPerform system performance analysis and RF laboratory testing (RF front-end characterization, spectrum analysis, over-the-air testing)Analyze and improve communications architectures that support command, control, and communications (C3) and C4ISR mission threads, with a focus on assured, survivable, and secure communicationsApply anti-jam, low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD), and resilience techniques to strategic and mission-critical communication linksIntegrate physical-layer and RF solutions into end-to-end architectures that interface with IP-based networks and higher-layer protocols (e.g., IP, TCP/UDP, routing, QoS considerations)Use software-defined radios (e.g., USRP/GNU Radio) and tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++ to implement communication protocols and perform signal analysisSuccessful candidates will:Demonstrate strong technical acumen in communications, DSP, and wireless systemsCollaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and government stakeholdersTake initiative in owning technical tasking and enjoy mentoring early-career engineersCommunicate clearly in both written and oral formatsBasic Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of related experience; or master’s degree with 3 years of related experience; or a PhD; or an equivalent combination of related education and work experienceExperience with simulation and analysis tools such as MATLAB or PythonTechnical background in at least one of the following areas: detection and estimation theory; waveform design, modulation theory, error control coding, information theory; stochastic processes, propagation, channel estimation and equalization; receiver design, interference cancellation, algorithm development; system performance analysis, RF laboratory testingAbility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearancePer the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-sitePreferred Qualifications:MS or PhD in an engineering discipline with 5+ years of relevant experienceExperience with strategic, mission-critical, or national-level command and control communications, C3/C4ISR systems, or protected and hardened communications infrastructuresStrong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to lead collaboration across organizations and engineering disciplinesExperience developing technical reports, presentations, and/or production-quality codeExperience with systems engineering processes for communication systems (e.g., requirements development/review, verification and validation, end-to-end architecture analysis, link budget analysis)Experience with SDR platforms and RF test equipment (e.g., USRP, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, channel emulators)Existing DoD Secret or Top Secret clearanceThis requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):NoneThis requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):SecretSalary compensation range and midpoint:$126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 AnnualWork Location Type:OnsiteIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.Commitment to Non-DiscriminationAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE’s employment process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for general support and View email address on click.appcast.io for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply.Benefits information may be found here.Copyright 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.Job SummaryJob number: R116815Profession: Engineering