Rf Development Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: RF Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on developing advanced Army-related capabilities in radio frequency (RF) systems, signal processing, and embedded technologies. You will design and implement solutions for software-defined radio (SDR), distributed passive antenna systems, AI-driven electromagnetic (EM) applications, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and counter-SAR, counter-IED and ground-penetrating radar, as well as positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities. The position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on hardware work, sophisticated signal processing, and embedded system development, and who is motivated to build innovative RF solutions through both professional work and personal projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize RF hardware systems, including front-end architectures and system-level RF engineering for advanced defense-related applications.
• Contribute to the development of new capabilities in software-defined radio (SDR), including configuration, testing, and performance tuning of SDR platforms.
• Design and refine distributed passive antenna systems, ensuring effective coverage, sensitivity, and robustness in complex RF environments.
• Support AI and electromagnetic (EM) analysis work by developing RF and signal-processing solutions that integrate with machine learning or advanced analytics frameworks.
• Develop and enhance synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and counter-SAR techniques, focusing on signal acquisition, processing, and target detection in challenging environments.
• Participate in counter-IED and ground-penetrating radar initiatives, contributing RF and signal-processing expertise to improve detection and classification capabilities.
• Contribute to positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solutions by designing RF and signal-processing components that enable accurate and resilient navigation systems.
• Use test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes to characterize, validate, and troubleshoot RF hardware and systems.
• Implement and optimize radar and array signal-processing algorithms, including spectral estimation and direction-finding methods.
• Develop embedded solutions for RF and radar systems using microcontrollers and platforms such as Arduino, integrating hardware peripherals and low-level interfaces.
• Work with Linux-based environments to develop, test, and deploy embedded software and signal-processing applications.
• Apply digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to RF and radar data, including filtering, detection, estimation, and performance analysis.
• Create and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop test setups to validate RF and signal-processing algorithms under realistic operating conditions.
• Document designs, test results, and technical findings clearly, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine requirements and deliver robust solutions.
• Leverage personal projects and self-directed experimentation to prototype new ideas, explore emerging technologies, and continuously improve RF engineering practices.

Essential Skills

• Strong foundation in electrical engineering with a focus on RF and radio frequency systems.
• Hands-on experience in RF engineering and RF design, including system-level RF architecture and implementation.
• Proficiency with RF test equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and oscilloscopes for measurement and troubleshooting.
• Experience working with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms and associated tools.
• Solid background in digital signal processing (DSP) and general signal-processing techniques.
• Experience with radar systems, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and array signal processing.
• Knowledge of spectral estimation and direction-finding methods for RF and radar applications.
• Practical experience in hardware design for RF or mixed-signal systems.
• Ability to develop embedded solutions for RF and radar using microcontrollers and platforms such as Arduino.
• Comfort working in Linux environments for development, testing, and deployment of embedded and signal-processing applications.
• Programming skills in Python for data analysis, prototyping, and signal-processing algorithm development.
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing methodologies.
• Demonstrated interest in RF, radar, or embedded systems through personal projects or independent experimentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Academic experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience with RF/radar-focused embedded systems, including integration of hardware peripherals and real-time processing.
• Familiarity with Army or defense-related systems and concepts, particularly in RF, radar, and PNT domains.
• Exposure to counter-IED or ground-penetrating radar technologies and their signal-processing requirements.
• Understanding of AI and electromagnetic (EM) applications, especially where they intersect with RF and radar data.
• Experience designing distributed passive antenna systems and evaluating their performance.
• Knowledge of advanced digital signal-processing algorithms beyond core methods, including adaptive filtering and detection techniques.
• Track record of completing personal or open-source projects related to RF engineering, SDR, radar, or embedded systems.

Work Environment

You will work in a technically focused environment that emphasizes innovation in RF, radar, and embedded systems. The role involves frequent use of laboratory equipment such as network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and software-defined radio platforms, as well as development work in Linux-based systems and Python-driven analysis tools. Expect a mix of hands-on hardware testing, signal-processing development, and embedded programming, with opportunities to experiment and prototype new ideas. The setting encourages collaboration, technical curiosity, and continuous learning, with support for exploring advanced concepts like hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing. Dress code is typically aligned with a professional engineering lab environment, allowing practical attire suitable for both desk work and time spent in the lab.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hyattsville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $140000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Hyattsville,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It 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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.