2026 Graduate - RF Engineer - Spaceflight Missions

Description

Do you want to become an expert in Engineering RF electronics, sensors, and systems for space?

Are you passionate about space exploration and ensuring our nation's security?

If you are graduating with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent, we would love to have you join our RF Engineering team!

We are seeking an RF Engineer ready to take on new challenges with us as we develop RF systems and components for spaceflight missions. You will join a team of multi-disciplinary staff who develop, integrate, test, launch, and operate complex RF systems and the electronic building blocks that enable them. We provide our sponsors with world class performance, cost-effective and often first-of-their-kind RF systems operating reliably in extremely harsh space environments.


As an RF Engineer you will:

• Design, develop, integrate and test flight RF hardware operating at UHF through Ka-band, including software defined radios, antennas, solid-state power amplifiers and ultra-stable oscillators.
• Perform analysis of electromagnetic wave propagation, scattering, multipactor and corona effects.
• Support a wide set of terrestrial and space-based communications, radio-navigation, radio-metric, and remote sensing applications with novel and computationally efficient digital signal processing algorithms and environmentally robust hardware.
• Work with mission-level systems engineers to establish communications requirements for a mission, design and build a telecommunications subsystems that meets these requirements, integrate the subsystem onto the spacecraft, and help launch and operate the mission.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent.
• Have a passion for RF design, signal processing, communications, and wireless systems.
• Are willing and able to travel occasionally to sponsor and contractor sites.
• Are able to obtain an interim top secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a final top secret clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience working with RF design software and test equipment.
• Have an active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.


Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually


Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually