Senior Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer

Description
Today, Electronic Warfare (EW) is a growing enterprise - protecting the warfighter and our national security against ever-adapting threats. Our division currently has an exciting opportunity for a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Engineer to perform design, development, and hardware/software integration in Arlington, VA for the Electronic Warfare Division.
Our division primarily focuses on research & development and advanced prototyping, transforming state-of-the-art signal processing algorithms into real-time software systems deployed on advanced RF platforms.
The successful candidate will be an individual contributor responsible for designing, developing, and integrating high-performance SDR solutions using Ettus Research USRP platforms . This role requires expertise in real-time RF signal processing, low-latency streaming architectures, and software development close to the hardware layer. The ideal candidate is comfortable building production-grade SDR systems from the ground up and optimizing them for demanding operational environments.
Primary Responsibilities
Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems usingEttus Research USRP hardware

Develop high-performance SDR applications using:
C++

UHD (USRP Hardware Driver)

Implement and optimize:
Real-time DSP pipelines

Custom waveform generation

Modulation/demodulation chains

RF streaming architectures

High-throughput signal processing systems

Interface directly with:
FPGA-based SDR architectures

High-speed Ethernet transport layers

RF front ends and synchronization systems

Develop software for low-latency and real-time RF applications

Perform RF system integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting

Analyze and optimize:
Spectral performance

Timing synchronization

Throughput bottlenecks

RF impairments

Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications, sensing, or EW architectures

Produce technical documentation, interface definitions, and software architecture artifacts

Support lab and field testing activities, travel up to 15%

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in:
Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Related technical discipline

Must have 8+ years of expereince including strong hands-on experience with:
Ettus Research USRP platforms ( X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B-Series platforms)

Strong proficiency in:
Modern C++

Python

Linux systems programming, including Linux performance optimization

Multithreaded and concurrent software architectures

Experience deploying systems with Red Hat Linux

Experience developing with:
UHD API

Real-time streaming systems

High-rate packet processing

Socket programming

Low-latency software architectures

Ettus RF Network On Chip (RFNoC) architecture

Strong understanding of:
RF fundamentals

Wireless communications systems

IQ signal processing

Digital modulation techniques

Wideband RF architectures

Spectrum analysis

Experience implementing:
OFDM

QPSK/QAM

Channel estimation

Synchronization algorithms

FFT/channelization pipelines

Adaptive filtering

Signal detection and classification

Time/frequency synchronization

Position requires an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one

Preferred Qualifications
Experience with:
Electronic Warfare (EW)

SIGINT/ELINT systems

Tactical communications

Spectrum operations

Radar or RF sensing systems

Familiarity with:
Xilinx FPGA architectures

Vivado

Verilog/VHDL

Hardware acceleration pipelines

Experience with:
10/40/100 GigE transport

GPSDO/PPS synchronization

Distributed SDR architectures

Real-time operating systems

Familiarity with:
MIMO systems

Beamforming

SATCOM architectures

Active Top Secret clearance preferred

Desired Traits
Strong systems engineering mindset

Ability to troubleshoot complex RF/software interactions

Comfortable working directly with hardware in lab and field environments

Capable of building production-grade SDR software from the ground up

Strong debugging, optimization, and performance tuning skills

Self-starter capable of operating in fast-paced R&D environments

NKE
ElectronicWarfare

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting: May 21, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
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Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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