Communications & Signal Processing Engineer

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Department Summary

MITRE operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in support of various U.S. Government agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others. Our sponsors rely on a wide range of wireless communications systems, including commercial radios, cellular technologies, satellite communications, tactical data links, and other mission-critical systems. We assess, design, analyze, prototype, and test advanced communications technologies to further the public good.

Applicant Note: Please be aware that this is not an application for a specific position. By submitting your information and providing your resume, you will be included in a pool of candidates for various full-time positions for communications and signal processing opportunities across the company. If you are selected for consideration for a particular position, a member of MITRE's recruiting team will reach out to you.

About the Role

You will help shape the next generation of resilient wireless communications for U.S. Government sponsors, including strategic and national-level command and control communications and other mission-assured systems. You will apply your expertise in digital signal processing (DSP), wireless systems, and networking-aware architectures to develop, evaluate, and prototype innovative solutions for contested and degraded environments. Those activities will include one or more of following:

• Develop novel DSP and signal processing algorithms to improve signal detection and classification in congested, contested, and denied environments
• Design and implement PHY/baseband algorithms (e.g., OFDM, MIMO, beamforming, advanced channel coding) for modern wireless systems
• Evaluate different MIMO transmission schemes and beamforming approaches for throughput, interference management, and robustness
• Conduct theoretical analysis to assess the performance of novel geolocation and direction-finding techniques
• Design and prototype waveforms for challenging channels (e.g., long-haul, beyond-line-of-sight, high-dynamics, and fading environments)
• Work with advanced wireless and SATCOM technologies (5G/6G, LTE, Wi‑Fi, tactical data links, protected SATCOM, VLF/HF/UHF/EHF systems, beyond-line-of-sight communications)
• Prototype, modify, and integrate open-source tools to demonstrate new application areas (e.g., GNU Radio, USRP-based SDR testbeds)
• Apply machine learning and AI techniques to RF and baseband data for tasks such as signal classification, interference mitigation, RF fingerprinting, and adaptive waveform/beamforming optimization
• Support communications systems development and analysis by designing and analyzing components such as synchronization, forward error correction (LDPC, Turbo, convolutional codes), spread spectrum, medium access control, channel equalization, and interference cancellation
• Perform system performance analysis and RF laboratory testing (RF front-end characterization, spectrum analysis, over-the-air testing)
• Analyze and improve communications architectures that support command, control, and communications (C3) and C4ISR mission threads, with a focus on assured, survivable, and secure communications
• Apply anti-jam, low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD), and resilience techniques to strategic and mission-critical communication links
• Integrate physical-layer and RF solutions into end-to-end architectures that interface with IP-based networks and higher-layer protocols (e.g., IP, TCP/UDP, routing, QoS considerations)
• Use software-defined radios (e.g., USRP/GNU Radio) and tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and C/C++ to implement communication protocols and perform signal analysis

Successful candidates will:

• Demonstrate strong technical acumen in communications, DSP, and wireless systems
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and government stakeholders
• Take initiative in owning technical tasking and enjoy mentoring early-career engineers
• Communicate clearly in both written and oral formats

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 5 years of related experience; or master's degree with 3 years of related experience; or a PhD; or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python
• Technical background in at least one of the following areas: detection and estimation theory; waveform design, modulation theory, error control coding, information theory; stochastic processes, propagation, channel estimation and equalization; receiver design, interference cancellation, algorithm development; system performance analysis, RF laboratory testing
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance
• Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in an engineering discipline with 5+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with strategic, mission-critical, or national-level command and control communications, C3/C4ISR systems, or protected and hardened communications infrastructures
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to lead collaboration across organizations and engineering disciplines
• Experience developing technical reports, presentations, and/or production-quality code
• Experience with systems engineering processes for communication systems (e.g., requirements development/review, verification and validation, end-to-end architecture analysis, link budget analysis)
• Experience with SDR platforms and RF test equipment (e.g., USRP, spectrum analyzers, vector signal analyzers, channel emulators)
• Existing DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

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.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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