Principal RF Engineer

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Are you ready for your next career challenge? Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with can't fail missions. Leidos Defense Electrical Systems Department is seeking a talented Senior RF Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team to create unique solutions to complex engineering challenges in our Huntsville, AL location. The ideal candidate will thrive in a learning environment that encourages leadership and technical growth.

Electrical Systems Department is a design-focused group of engineers specializing in advanced hardware-based solutions. As a technical contributor, the individual will support a variety of programs to develop electronic assemblies integrated into a diverse range of aerospace and military systems including manned/unmanned ground/air vehicles, missiles, defensive radars, and space systems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, troubleshoot, and test RF exciters, transmitters, and receivers.
• Design, troubleshoot, and test RF PCBs, modules, and chassis across several high frequency bands (L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band).
• Collaborate with firmware/software engineers throughout product lifecycle to develop application software and test equipment.
• Engage with manufacturing teams to employ DFM practices in product design, and resolving technical issues that are discovered during the manufacture and test of deliverable hardware.
• Integrate products into larger systems by working with system design teams.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical field.
• Candidate must have at least 12 years of experience in high-speed electronics design and/or RF hardware design or 10+ years with MS degree.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain secret security clearance.
• Candidate must demonstrate experience in the design, test, and manufacture of analog/mixed-signal PCBs or integrated RF/microwave assemblies.
• Candidate must demonstrate expertise with radar and communications principles.
• Candidate must have hands-on laboratory experience with instrumentation, test equipment, and debug/test methods including use of network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, etc.
• Position requires candidates to be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Candidate must have demonstrated experience effectively communicating within a team environment.
• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• Candidate must have experience and/or working knowledge of: Developing exciter, transmitter, receiver and antenna subsystems.
• Modeling, simulation, design verification testing, and characterization of RF circuits.
• MATLAB and/or Python experience simulating radar and communication signal processors EMI/EMC mitigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Die-level / chip-and-wire technology
• VPX/VNX, FMC/FMC+, Open System Architectures
• Experience with high speed digital interfaces (JESD204B/C, PCIe, DDR5)

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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

More details are available here.

Original Posting: June 8, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00. 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.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Commitment and Diversity

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.