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 System Branch (ACSB)  is looking for a senior Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer who is eager and capable to support the development of intelligent adaptive communications and spectrum sensing systems across a broad range of spectrum and is looking for a dynamic and challenging work environment. 
 
The Division's projects focus on advanced signal processing, adaptive communications technologies, advanced algorithms, and artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to communications, spectrum sensing, electronic warfare, and next generation cellular network technologies. The Division supports work across many branches of the Federal Government. Key research areas include future generations of adaptive communication systems, intelligent spectrum sensing systems, adaptive and learning algorithms, advanced waveforms for communications and sensing, and physics-based propagation modeling.  The Division focuses on early-stage research from applied research, to laboratory and field demonstrations to deployed prototype systems. The ideal candidate will be an inquisitive and resourceful researcher with RF skills and an interest in design and development of RF systems that can be applied to communication systems and spectrum sensing. 
 
The ideal candidate is a senior RF Engineer with a desire to work with other senior team members while designing, implementing, testing and fielding innovative RF platforms with integrated signal processing algorithms to provide solutions for communications and spectrum sensing problems of interest to research sponsors. 

Job Purpose

RF/Radar Systems Engineers work with a team to perform advanced system and algorithm development using established systems engineering approaches. Based on detailed trade studies and requirements analyses, radar systems engineers develop solutions to satisfy system requirements and perform functions related to all aspects of radar system design.  These functions include the development of the complete architectural design of radar systems, investigation and development of new algorithms to advance key sensor capabilities by leveraging signal processing techniques and novel waveform development, development of detailed simulations of algorithms and systems for design verification or to facilitate operational software development, the design of sensor modes that maximize sensor performance, the collection and analysis of data from laboratory or flight tests, and formal verification that the final design solution meet all system requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct refined RF subsystem and system design studies, testing plans, and analysis of requirements into detailed performance design criteria in conjunction with the technical lead. Design and build templates to assist SMEs in providing critical system information. Conduct product or system design synthesis translating requirements into physical architectures for RF subsystems and systems of low complexity. Define/refine internal and external interfaces for RF subsystems and systems. Develop technical reports and diagrams detailing design description or performance as defined by requirements.

Additional Responsibilities

• Designing RF systems for communications, electronic warfare, and sensing from a board to system level 
• Understanding the impact of channel effects (including clutter, weather, terrain, ettc) on RF signals and systems 
• Developing, testing, and evaluating RF systems for communications, electronic warfare, and sensing 
• Designing and testing complex coaxial cabled RF test beds 
• Performing RF modeling and simulation 
• Interfacing with software and hardware team to carry out platform designs 
• Conducting detailed design reviews with internal and/or external development teams 
• Solving complex problems while utilizing troubleshooting and debug skills 
• Providing oversight of prototype builds 
• Identifying and designing efficient test methods when required. 

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field 
• 2 years’ experience developing and testing RF platforms and systems from HF to millimeter wave 
• The candidate should be familiar with RF concepts such as channel modeling, RF propagation loss, clutter background, phase matching, tuning RF designs 
• Experience with MATLAB or other RF modeling and simulation tools 
• Experience developing cabled RF networks 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics or a related field 
• 5 years practical experience in modeling and design with RF systems 
• Familiarity with novel interference mitigation approaches including auto-tune filters (ATF) and other techniques 
• Experience developing approaches for full-duplex RF communications for high-bandwidth, low-latency and high-throughput applications. 
• RF test and evaluation experience and a deep understanding of common tools and instrumentation 
• Relevant experience in applied research and development 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Ability to work independently as well as in a dynamic team environment. 

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% 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

• 2 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Physics
• 0 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Physics

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 University 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 University 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.

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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.