Internship Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Principal RF Communications & Electronic Warfare Engineer

$185,000-$250,000 Base Salary

$15,000 Signing Bonus • Annual Bonus • Equity • Relocation Assistance

Hybrid | Huntsville, AL | Full-Time | 9/80 Schedule

This isn't another defense contractor job.

Join a mission-focused engineering team developing next-generation RF communications and Electronic Warfare capabilities for national defense. Lead system architecture, collaborate directly with DoD customers, and work hands-on across SDR, radar, resilient networking, and secure communications technologies - with meaningful technical ownership from concept through operational deployment.

Why top engineers choose Secmation

• Own technical direction instead ofmaintaining legacy systems.
• Influence architecture from early concept through field deployment.
• Work directly with DoD customers, decision makers, and mission users.
• Solve challenging RF, Electronic Warfare, SDR, radar, and secure communications problems.
• Collaborate with a small, highly technical team where every engineer has real impact.
• Build technology designed to transition into operational use.

What you'll build and lead

Lead the development of advanced RF technologies that directly support critical defense missions. You will shape system architecture, guide technical strategy, and move innovative capabilities from early concept through modeling, integration, HWIL testing, field demonstration, validation, and operational implementation.

You'll work across:

• Electronic Warfare capabilities, including Electronic Attack, Electronic Support, Electronic Protection, and countermeasure development.
• Software Defined Radio solutions spanning software, firmware, and secure embedded communications platforms.
• Tactical RF communications, SATCOM, resilient networking, radar, and RF sensing technologies.
• AI-enabled RF analysis, mission systems, and adaptive signal-processing capabilities.
• RF algorithm development, communications-system modeling, mission simulation, and scenario development using MATLAB and Python.
• System integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing, field testing, validation, and live customer demonstrations.
• Cross-program technical leadership, engineering mentorship, and direct engagement with government stakeholders.

What we're looking for

• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Security Clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of relevant RF, communications, radar, or EW experience with demonstrated principal-level technical leadership; 15+ years preferred.
• Deep experience designing, implementing, and analyzing military RF communications systems for tactical and defense applications.
• Hands-on experience with SDR frameworks and platforms such as GNU Radio, REDHAWK, USRP/UHD, Epiq, or comparable technologies.
• Experience with Electronic Warfare system design and applications, including EA, ES, EP, or countermeasure development.
• Experience with SATCOM, radar, tactical communications, resilient networking, or RF sensing systems.
• Strong background in signal processing, waveform performance, adaptive tuning, optimization, and error-correction techniques.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and Python for modeling and simulation, plus embedded C/C++ for systems-level applications.
• Experience leading system integration, HWIL testing, mission simulation, field testing, and customer demonstrations.
• Ability to independently lead complex technical work while collaborating effectively within a small, multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to present findings and recommendations to internal teams, program leadership, and government customers.

Compensation & Benefits

• $185,000-$250,000 base salary
• $15,000 signing bonus
• Discretionary annual performance bonus
• Company equity
• Relocationassistance
• Hybrid 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off
• Paid time off and flexible work schedules
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement benefits with company contribution

Work Environment

• Hybrid role with on-site workrequired in Huntsville, Alabama.
• Flexible 9/80 work schedule supporting every other Friday off.
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and technically innovative environment with distributed team integration.

About Secmation

Secmation develops AI-enabled software, embedded cybersecurity, secure RF systems, and advanced communications technologies for the U.S. defense community. Our mission is to deliver next-generation secure technologies for Electronic Warfare, autonomous systems, and critical defense applications.

Small company. Big mission. Real engineering.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Secmation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

The salary range represents a general guideline. Secmation considers the scope and responsibilities of the position, as well as a candidate's experience, education, skills, work location, current market conditions, and other bona fide factors when determining compensation.

This position qualifies for a discretionary performance-based bonus based on individual and company performance.