Freelance Rf Drive Test Engineer Jobs in Indiana

As a solutions-based company, Precise Systems is focused on innovation in support of the warfighter and aligning our expertise to deliver the highest quality services. Powered by our highly skilled workforce, we provide expert consultation on network and weapons systems acquisition programs, maintenance and modernization efforts, and sustainment programs with solutions in Digital Transformation, Advanced Engineering, Physical Sciences Research, Platform Lifecycle Support, and Technical Services. Since our establishment, we have demonstrated the ability to manage complex technical challenges while delivering exceptional service and mission-focused solutions to our customers.

Precise Systems is seeking a motivated and technically skilled Test & Evaluation Engineer / RF Engineer to support Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) test and evaluation activities. This position requires an engineer with a strong foundation in applied physics, radio frequency engineering, wireless communications, signal analysis, and RF test methods. The ideal candidate will support the planning, execution, analysis, and documentation of CUAS and electronic warfare test events in laboratory, hardware-in-the-loop, field, and over-the-air environments. This role will work closely with Government leads, test teams, RF engineers, software developers, systems engineers, range personnel, and mission stakeholders to evaluate CUAS performance against evolving unmanned system threats. This position is well suited for an engineer who understands RF propagation, communications systems, antennas, signal behavior, spectrum activity, and test instrumentation, and who can apply that knowledge to real-world CUAS test and evaluation efforts. This role requires in-person support.

Duties:

• Provide RF engineering and applied physics support for CUAS test and evaluation activities.
• Support planning, development, execution, and analysis of CUAS laboratory, field, over-the-air, and hardware-in-the-loop test events.
• Analyze RF communications, signal characteristics, propagation effects, antenna performance, interference, and electromagnetic environment conditions.
• Support evaluation of CUAS systems, EW systems, RF sensors, RF defeat capabilities, communication links, transmitters, receivers, antennas, and supporting test infrastructure.
• Assist in developing test objectives, test plans, test procedures, data collection plans, test cards, and post-test analysis products.
• Operate and configure RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, receivers, software-defined radios, antennas, data acquisition systems, and related instrumentation.
• Collect, process, and analyze RF test data to assess system performance, detection capability, signal effectiveness, link behavior, waveform characteristics, receiver sensitivity, transmit power, timing, and environmental impacts.
• Support RF modeling and simulation activities, including RF coverage analysis, antenna placement assessments, signal propagation assessments, model validation, and correlation of model results with test data.
• Support CUAS technique evaluation, including assessment of RF effects, communications behavior, signal interactions, and system performance against representative threat systems.
• Assist with hardware-in-the-loop testing to evaluate output waveforms, RF characteristics, technique performance, threat/mission load behavior, and system response.
• Identify test limitations, data gaps, anomalies, equipment issues, and technical risks that may impact test validity or mission conclusions.
• Provide engineering recommendations to improve test rigor, data collection quality, RF measurement methods, repeatability, and test efficiency.
• Support test readiness reviews, technical interchange meetings, Integrated Product Teams, daily test briefs, post-test debriefs, and lessons learned activities.
• Coordinate with field test teams to ensure RF equipment, antennas, sensors, targets, data collection tools, and support assets are properly configured and ready for test execution.
• Support evaluation of wireless communication protocols, advanced communication threats, software-defined radio technologies, digital signal processing applications, and RF-enabled CUAS capabilities.
• Develop and review technical reports, test reports, engineering summaries, RF analysis products, briefings, and recommendations for Government review.
• Ensure test data, analysis products, and technical documentation are properly marked, controlled, and handled in accordance with applicable security, CUI, OPSEC, and classification requirements.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Communications Engineering, or a related technical field.

Required Experience:

• Three (3) years of professional experience in RF, microwave, or electronic systems engineering.
• Relevant RF, communications, military, or test experience may be considered in lieu of degree depending on customer requirements. 
• Experience supporting RF engineering, communications engineering, spectrum analysis, EW systems, CUAS systems, or test and evaluation activities.
• Knowledge of RF fundamentals, including propagation, antennas, modulation, bandwidth, gain/loss, link budgets, receivers, transmitters, interference, noise, and signal characterization.
• Experience using RF test and measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, receivers, antennas, or software-defined radios.
• Ability to collect, process, analyze, and interpret RF test data.
• Understanding of wireless communication systems, RF links, communication protocols, and signal behavior in laboratory or field environments.
• Experience supporting test planning, test execution, data collection, analysis, and test reporting.
• Ability to document technical findings, engineering assumptions, risks, and recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively with engineers, test personnel, program managers, Government leads, and cross-functional technical teams.

Desired Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance; Top Secret/SCI eligibility preferred.
• Experience supporting CUAS, electronic warfare, RF collection, RF defeat, tactical communications, unmanned systems, or countermeasure systems.
• Experience supporting NSWC Crane, NAVSEA, Marine Corps, Army, Navy, or other DoD test programs.
• Experience with software-defined radios, digital signal processing, RF modeling tools, MATLAB, Python, GNU Radio, LabVIEW, or other signal analysis environments.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing, over-the-air testing, field testing, developmental testing, or operationally relevant assessments.
• Familiarity with UAS communications, command links, telemetry links, RF control links, or drone-related RF signatures.
• Experience assessing RF coverage, antenna placement, link performance, signal effectiveness, waveform behavior, or electromagnetic interference.
• Experience supporting test documentation, including test plans, test procedures, test reports, trip reports, technical reports, and engineering judgment records.
• Familiarity with EW concepts, including electronic attack, electronic protection, electronic support, RF exploitation, and advanced communication threats.
• Ability to serve as a technical subject matter expert for RF measurement, communications analysis, and CUAS test execution.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Precise Systems is dedicated to a shared vision and core values of Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility, which foster innovation and drive our continued success in the global marketplace. Precise Systems and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, status as an individual with a disability, or any legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. Visit www.GoPrecise.com for a listing of current openings and our comprehensive, employee friendly benefits summary.  Precise Systems participates in E-Verify.