ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Wireless Communication Engineer Jobs in Washington

Lynk

Wireless Engineer - Satellite

Chantilly, VA · On-site

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in wireless communication, signal processing, and software engineering to drive innovation in next-generation satellite-based networks. Core ...

Chartis Federal

Radio Frequency Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Understand wireless communications technologies and concepts * Gather customer requirements, determine requirements, develop solutions; provide preliminary designs, cost estimates; support ...

Chartis Federal

Sr. Radio Frequency Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

Understand wireless communications technologies and concepts * Gather customer requirements, determine requirements, develop solutions; provide preliminary designs, cost estimates; support ...

Next Step Systems

DSP Communications Engineer

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$141K - $164K/yr

... and communication channels and choose modulation and coding (including code design, rates ... to wireless. communications systems (RF, DSP, FPGA, software, digital/hardware, mechanical ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWireless Communication Engineer JobsWireless Communication Engineer Jobs in Washington

Wireless Communication Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$136.5K

$193.4K

$232.7K

How much do wireless communication engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for wireless communication engineer in Washington is $193,356.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $169,900.00 and $216,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Wireless Communication Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectWireless Communication EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, certifications like CCNA, CWNABachelor's or higher in Electrical or Electronics Engineering, RF-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning, testing, and optimizing wireless networks, often in labs or field sitesDesigning and testing RF components, working in labs or manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsageTelecom companies, network providers, technology firmsElectronics manufacturers, telecom equipment companies, research labs

Wireless Communication Engineers focus on designing and maintaining wireless networks, while RF Engineers specialize in radio frequency components and systems. Both roles require similar technical skills and certifications but differ in their specific focus areas within wireless technology.

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

To thrive as a Wireless Communication Engineer, you need a solid understanding of RF engineering, signal processing, network protocols, and a degree in electrical or telecommunications engineering. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, RF simulation software, and certifications such as CWNA or Cisco Wireless credentials are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help you excel in collaborative and dynamic environments. These competencies are essential for designing, optimizing, and maintaining reliable wireless networks in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

What does a wireless communication engineer do?

A wireless communication engineer designs, develops, and tests wireless systems such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and satellite communications. They work with radio frequency (RF) technology, signal processing, and network protocols, often using tools like spectrum analyzers and simulation software. The role typically requires knowledge of telecommunications standards and may involve troubleshooting and optimizing wireless performance.

What are the most common collaboration points for Wireless Communication Engineers within cross-functional teams?

Wireless Communication Engineers frequently collaborate with hardware designers, software developers, and network architects to ensure seamless integration of wireless systems. They often work closely with product managers to align technical solutions with customer requirements and with testing teams to validate performance in real-world environments. Effective communication and teamwork skills are essential, as much of the role involves troubleshooting issues that span multiple disciplines and coordinating updates or enhancements across different project stakeholders.

What engineers make 200,000 a year?

Senior wireless communication engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in RF design, and certifications such as Cisco or IEEE can earn $200,000 or more annually. High-level roles in telecommunications, network architecture, or specialized consulting often reach this salary level, especially in large organizations or with managerial responsibilities.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior wireless communication engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in RF design, and certifications such as Cisco or IEEE can reach salaries around $500,000, especially in leadership roles or consulting positions. High compensation often reflects specialized expertise, management responsibilities, or work in high-demand industries like telecommunications or defense.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior wireless communication engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in RF design, and certifications such as Cisco or IEEE can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries like telecommunications and defense. Achieving this salary often requires leadership roles, specialized expertise, and working in regions with high living costs or competitive markets.
What are popular job titles related to Wireless Communication Engineer jobs in Washington? For Wireless Communication Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Wireless Communication Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Wireless Communication Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Wireless Communication Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Wireless Communication Engineer job openings:
Wireless Communication Engineer jobs near you
2026 PhD Graduate - Wireless Communications Engineer - Wireless Cyber Capabilities

2026 PhD Graduate - Wireless Communications Engineer - Wireless Cyber Capabilities

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 59 rated research

Job description

Description
Do you want to become an expert in wireless communications?
Are you passionate about learning about the latest wireless technologies?
If you are graduating with a PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering and want to work in wireless communications, we'd love to have you join our team!
We are seeking to develop engineers to help us give our nation a significant advantage by controlling the wireless communications environment. Our Wireless Cyber Capabilities team focuses on providing the U.S. military and intelligence communities with operational advantages by leveraging software-defined radios, commercial cellular equipment, and machine learning to develop advanced capabilities for research and operational prototypes. To learn more about our work, click here.
Our engineers apply cutting-edge research to some of the government's most critical challenges in the follow research areas:
Wireless Cybersecurity
  • We leverage our deep knowledge of wireless protocols to develop new and innovative approaches to secure our nation's communications against on-network and off-network attacks.

Radio Frequency Machine Learning (RFML)
  • We apply our expertise in deep learning to devise novel solutions to complex RF and wireless communications problems that are intractable using conventional approaches.

Resilient Tactical Communications
  • We draw on our mastery of wireless networking and waveform design to fortify existing systems and design new systems that will enable robust, adaptable tactical communications.

Wireless Communications Lab (WCL)
  • The WCL leverages a broad range of expertise in modeling and simulation, rapid prototyping, end-to-end network analysis, and wireless exploitation to advance the state of the art in electromagnetic maneuverability, network intelligence, and wireless protocol security.

As a member of our team, you will...
  • Be part of a team that leverages wireless communications expertise, software defined radios, and machine learning to own the communications environment.
  • Collaborate with a team of wireless communications engineers and software developers to implement wireless communication technology solutions.
  • As a member of our team, you will be exposed to a variety of projects and encouraged to explore what technical focus areas interest you.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical degree
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of signals & systems or wireless communication concepts
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of software design patterns in a language such as Python, C++, C, VHDL/Verilog, or MATLAB
  • Are able to obtain Interim Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level 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'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of wireless communication protocols or systems such as Wi-Fi, 5G-NewRadio / NextG, or SATCOM
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) such as Fourier analysis and filtering
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of software defined radio (SDR) frameworks such as GNU Radio
  • Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of machine learning (ML) including frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow.

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 https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
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 Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
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
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

What Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply