RF Systems Engineer Sr. Principal

About this role

Type of Requisition: Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess: None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Public Trust/Other Required: MBI (T2)

Job Family: IT Infrastructure and Operations

Job Qualifications: Skills: Analytical Tools, Complex Systems, Radars, Radio Frequency Engineering, RF Systems Certifications: None Experience: 10 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required: No

Job Description: SYSTEMS ENGINEER SR PRINCIPAL

GDIT is seeking a Sr. Principal RF/Spectrum Systems Engineer to support Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) engineering for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In this high-impact role, you will lead the research, testing, evaluation, and spectrum analysis of cutting-edge UAS detection and mitigation technologies in active airport environments. This position uniquely bridges hands-on RF engineering, advanced systems analysis, and national policy development—directly influencing future FAA Advisory Circulars and aviation safety standards.

Key Responsibilities RF & Radar Engineering • Lead radar testing across L, S, C, X, Ku, and Ka frequency bands using FMCW, pulse Doppler, and other waveforms (including Phased Array antenna technologies). • Lead testing of mitigation devices operating in other frequency bands (VHF/UHF/Microwave). • Conduct precise RF measurements (power, gain, EIRP, spectrum occupancy) and evaluate electromagnetic compatibility (EM/EMC) for spectral compliance. • Perform near-field and far-field antenna range measurements in controlled or operational environments.

CUAS Research, Testing & Evaluation (RD/T&E) • Conduct rigorous spectrum interference testing at active airports prior to CUAS deployment. • Develop, execute, and oversee detailed test plans, test cards, and structured evaluation frameworks. • Manage vendor systems during deployment, troubleshooting, data collection, and teardown. • Establish selection criteria for UAS platforms used in evaluations, alongside performance metrics and pass/fail criteria. • Document all RD/T&E activities to contribute to FAA guidance on the selection, procurement, deployment, and management of CUAS systems as well as RF-specific measurement equipment.

Systems Engineering & Strategic Policy • Conduct thorough RF hazard analyses and safety assessments prior to open-air testing. • Translate complex RD/T&E data into performance specification frameworks using modeling, simulation, and analysis tools to shape FAA Advisory Circulars. • Utilize technical data tools to model and analyze spectrum environments and system capabilities. • Create multi-airport CUAS operational recommendations and best practices aligned with FAA Safety Risk Management (SRM) principles.

Qualifications Required: • Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical (preferred) or other technical discipline. Non-U.S. degrees must be ABET accredited. • 10+ years of progressive engineering experience in RF, radar, or spectrum management. • Proven experience using spectrum analyzers and other equipment to test, evaluate and characterize complex RF devices and environments for FCC/NTIA compliance. • Demonstrated success in conducting open-air RF/spectrum data collection. • Ability to evaluate the functional capabilities of complex technologies with minimal supervision. • Highly collaborative with strong technical writing and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences with teams including other disciplines. • Ability to independently plan and deliver projects with high-quality, on-time results. • Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. • Physical ability to lift up to 25 lbs. during field deployments. • Ability to obtain an FAA Suitability clearance and maintain a valid U.S. passport.

Preferred: • Direct experience developing or executing structured test plans for aviation or defense technologies. • Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, JMP, or advanced Excel). • Familiarity with FAA Safety Risk Management (SRM) principles or airport operations.

The likely salary range for this position is $129,813 - $172,500. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Travel Required: 10-25%

T elecommuting Options: Onsite

Work Location: USA NJ Egg Harbor Township

Additional Work Locations:

Total Rewards at GDIT: Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.    

Our Identity Verification Process: As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric d

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