Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Information and Communications Laboratory (ICL) Communications Systems and Spectrum Division (CSSD) Advanced Communication Systems Branch (ACSB) is looking for Communication Engineers who are eager and capable of researching and supporting the development of platforms supporting innovative adaptive communications and spectrum-sensing systems across a broad range of spectrum and are looking for a dynamic and challenging work environment.

The Division's projects fuse advanced signal processing, adaptive communications technologies, advanced algorithms, machine learning, and sophisticated modeling and simulation to perform research and develop solutions for systems that include cognitive communications, intelligent wideband spectrum sensing, electronic warfare systems, and next-generation cellular network technologies, including 5G/FutureG. The Division supports work across many branches of the Department of Defense (DoD), including the Army, Navy, and Office of the Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. Key programs include deployed prototype systems, communication and spectrum sensing systems, machine learning algorithms, physics-based modeling and simulation tools, system analyses, and applied research.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Communications Engineer with a diversified background and exposure to related domains such as radar, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and/or communications security. Candidates should have a strong desire to collaborate with other team members while designing, implementing, testing and fielding innovative communications platforms with signal processing algorithms after performing tradeoff analysis to provide solutions for communications and spectrum sensing problems of interest to the DoD. As a researcher, the candidate will develop innovative concepts to investigate, advance, and create understanding of emerging problems and solution opportunities in communications technology and applications domains.

Job Purpose

Research, design, development and prototyping of communications equipment and systems. Utilizing experience and knowledge of end-to-end communications systems to architect novel and robust communications systems including emerging software-defined radio platforms and other emerging commercial communication systems and advanced tactical networks. Establish key performance requirements for various target radios across multiple operating bands, environments and targeted applications. Develop, implement, characterize and test leading-edge waveform and communications technologies enabling greater performance while enhancing EW capabilities through secure communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform communication simulation development, system testing and characterization, debugging, modification / enhancement, and documentation
• Develop and maintain kernel and user-level software and scripts -Contribute to technical reports and presentations

Additional Responsibilities

• Conduct solution or system design synthesis translating objectives into requirements, and requirements into physical architectures for networks of high complexity
• Contribute to the development of communications solutions including waveforms and networking concepts
• Develop new capabilities and applications for 5G / 6G/ NextG systems
• Understand and measure key performance requirements for various communications systems across multiple operating bands, environments and targeted applications
• Create and analyze network protocols
• Work with team members to develop AI/ML methods for controlling and optimizing the performance of 5G / 6G / FutureG systems
• Capture and analyze information and metrics useful for observation of a communications system in order to assess and optimize communication system performance
• Identify key performance indicators (KPI) useful for determining and measuring the benefits of specific communications system implementations
• Investigate, develop, and document technology approaches and solutions that produce valuable objective findings and outcomes for internal and sponsored research programs. Recognize, communicate, and report on objective findings and their implications and value.
• Develop, implement, characterize and test leading-edge waveform and communications technologies enabling greater performance while enhancing EW capabilities through robust, resilient, and secure communications.
• Contribute to research reports, white papers, and competitive proposals
• Work with project teams on technical aspects of research and system design including collaborating with multiple lab resources for system developments and deployments
• Work with program leadership to execute activities and achieve milestones in pursuit of objectives
• Provide guidance and mentoring to more junior research staff and student researchers in all research domains and activities.
• Contribute to internal research and development programs supporting the division strategic vision

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related field
• Experience in communication systems research or development
• Understanding of communications theory related to radio frequency devices
• Demonstrated recent experience in performing and/or leading research projects
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to operate effectively, maintain productivity, and make well-reasoned decisions despite incomplete information and requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance
• 3+ years of experience in developing communications platforms and solutions including adaptive control mechanisms
• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
• Experience in developing advanced communication systems, implementing or designing waveforms, and integrating communication implementations on SDR platforms
• Experience in adaptive communications systems research or development
• Expertise in signal processing, modeling & simulation, machine learning, image, or control theory
• Experience with electronic warfare threat systems
• Experience with 5G/6G/FutureG cellular communications systems, technologies, and specifications, including ORAN
• Expertise in signal processing, electromagnetics, modeling & simulation, machine learning / artificial intelligence, control theory
• Proficiency in C/C++ software and systems design and implementation (C++11, C++20)
• Proficiency with containerized software development, deployment, and security

Travel Requirements

<10% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Engineering or realted.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.