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Tempest Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Akima, LLC

Lead Wireless Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$105K - $138K/yr

As the Lead Wireless Engineer for the Air National Guard Base Infrastructure Modernization (BIM ... You will ensure strict conformance to TEMPEST guidelines to prevent spillage of sensitive ...

Arcfield

Communications Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

... TEMPEST evaluations or countermeasures. The ideal candidate will be creative, self-driven, curious, engineering- and research-oriented and comfortable defining a path through ambiguity toward high ...

Arcfield

Communications Systems Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

... TEMPEST evaluations or countermeasures. The ideal candidate will be creative, self-driven, curious, engineering- and research-oriented and comfortable defining a path through ambiguity toward high ...

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Tempest Engineer information

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$13

$58

$84

How much do tempest engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for tempest engineer in Reston, VA is $58.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.78 and $77.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tempest Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tempest Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and security standards, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with TEMPEST testing equipment, shielding technologies, and certifications like NSTISSAM TEMPEST standards are essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you identify vulnerabilities and collaborate on secure solutions. These skills ensure confidential information is protected against electromagnetic eavesdropping, which is critical for national security and compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by Tempest Engineers when designing secure facilities?

Tempest Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing stringent security requirements with practical constraints such as cost, space, and existing infrastructure. They must ensure that electromagnetic emissions are controlled without hindering the functionality or accessibility of the facility. Collaboration with architects, IT, and security teams is common to integrate shielding technologies seamlessly. Staying updated with evolving standards and threat profiles also requires continuous professional development.

What is a Tempest Engineer?

A Tempest Engineer is a specialized professional who focuses on preventing electromagnetic eavesdropping and ensuring the security of electronic devices and communications. They work to identify, mitigate, and eliminate risks posed by unintentional electromagnetic emissions that could be intercepted by unauthorized parties. These engineers typically design, test, and implement shielding solutions, as well as develop protocols to comply with government or military standards such as TEMPEST. Their work is critical in environments where secure communications are essential, such as defense, government, and certain corporate sectors.

What is the difference between Tempest Engineer vs Signal Engineer?

AspectTempest EngineerSignal Engineer
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, security clearance, specialized training in tempest technologyEngineering or technical degree, often with certifications in signal processing or communications
Work EnvironmentSecure government or military facilities, high-security labsTelecommunications companies, defense contractors, or government agencies
Industry UsagePrimarily defense, government, and military sectorsTelecom, defense, and aerospace industries

Tempest Engineers focus on protecting sensitive information through electromagnetic shielding and secure systems, often working in high-security environments. Signal Engineers work on designing, analyzing, and maintaining communication systems, often in telecom or defense sectors. While both roles require technical expertise and may overlap in security protocols, Tempest Engineers specialize in electromagnetic security, whereas Signal Engineers focus on communication signals and infrastructure.

What job categories do people searching Tempest Engineer jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Tempest Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Tempest Engineer jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Tempest Engineer job openings:
Tempest Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tempest Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,163 per year, or $58.3 per hour.
Lead Wireless Engineer

Lead Wireless Engineer

Akima, LLC

Herndon, VA • On-site

$105K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 14 days ago

Akima rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

247th of 352 rated engineering

Job description

As the Lead Wireless Engineer for the Air National Guard Base Infrastructure Modernization (BIM) contract, you will serve as the primary technical authority for all wireless infrastructure within the project scope, overseeing the technical execution of contract requirements and coordinating closely with the Program Management Office to ensure critical objectives are met on schedule.
Responsibilities
  • Responsibilities include contributing to campus area network designs, needs analysis, the formal approval of engineering documentation for US Government submission, such as Site Preparation Requirements and Installation Plan, Preliminary Integration Review, Critical Integration Review, and Integration Plan Acceptance documents.
  • You will produce predictive heatmaps and RF placement plans for flightlines, hangars, and mission facilities, ensuring spectrum utilization poses no safety hazards to personnel, fuel, and ordnance.
  • You will ensure strict conformance to TEMPEST guidelines to prevent spillage of sensitive communications.
  • Throughout the project lifecycle, you will conduct validation testing and oversee RF implementation, antenna placement, and WLAN tuning to ensure real-world performance matches design intent.
  • Additionally, you will lead wireless scenario testing and confirm RF performance during qualification to ensure full spectrum compliance and prevent field deployment issues.
  • Provides functional and empirical analysis related to the planning, design, installation, and implementation of the network infrastructure.
  • Performs maintenance of file servers and network devices including the restoration of hardware and software. Anticipates and mitigates potential attacks through network or other connections to ensure the security of the system.
  • Works with end users and vendors to resolve network hardware and software issues.
  • May develop and administer end-user training to achieve efficient utilization of LAN/WAN.
  • Reviews progress and evaluate results. Performs work with a high degree of latitude.
  • Handles the most complex issues.

Qualifications
  • An active DoD Secret clearance is required for consideration.
  • Bachelor's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience; 4 additional years of applicable work experience may be substituted for a degree.
  • Must hold and maintain a technical certification in accordance with DoD 8140/DCWF (e.g., Security+, CCNA, CCNP Security, CASP+, or equivalent).
  • Extensive experience in enterprise WLAN planning, infrastructure design, and network services. Expertise in designing WLAN Radio Frequency (RF) environments, conducting advanced wireless site surveying, 802.11 security design, and complex WLAN troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrated experience designing, configuring, and troubleshooting TCP/IP networks, including hardware (switches, wireless controllers, air monitors, orchestrators), software (NMS, NAC, QoS), network services (timing, logging), and ISP/OSP distribution systems (fiber and copper).
  • Technical proficiency in aligning RF designs with emissions safety requirements and TEMPEST standards.

Preferred Qualification:
  • Prior experience supporting Air Force campus network modernization programs.

Job ID
2026-22751
Work Type
On-Site
Company Description
Work Where it Matters
Tundra Federal, an Akima company, is not just another federal IT contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At Tundra Federal, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, Tundra Federal provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, Tundra Federal delivers agile information technology solutions to implement and evolve IT infrastructures to achieve and advance functionality, efficiency, security, and compliance.
As a Tundra Federal employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.

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About Akima

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As an Alaska Native Corporation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Akima is dedicated to delivering superior outcomes for our customers’ missions while simultaneously creating a long-lived asset for our Iñupiat shareholders. Akima maintains a portfolio of small businesses, 8(a) companies, and operating companies that deliver simplified and accelerated access to the products and services agencies need to ensure mission success.

Industry

Specialty trade contractors

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

1995

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