Sr Research Engineer - RF & Systems Engineer

Overview

SRI is seeking a Senior Research Engineer with deep expertise in RF and Systems Engineering to lead the development, integration, and evaluation of advanced radar, communications, and sensing systems from our office in Boulder, CO. This role emphasizes RF system architecture, requirements development, system-level design and analysis, hardware/software integration, and hands-on prototype development and testing.

You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced systems spanning RF hardware, antennas, digital signal processing, embedded computing, software, and firmware. Applications include radar, communications, electronic warfare, remote sensing, quantum sensing, and photonics. The ideal candidate combines strong RF fundamentals with a systems-level perspective and enjoys taking complex technologies from initial concept and requirements through prototype development, field demonstration, and transition.

This role is part of SRI’s Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD), which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging systems, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics. CHECK OUT OUR RESEARCH HERE!

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of advanced RF radar, communications, and sensing systems
• Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification approaches
• Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, radar performance analysis, noise analysis, dynamic range, sensitivity, and interference assessments
• Develop system architectures spanning antennas, RF front ends, transmit/receive chains, data converters, embedded processors, FPGAs, GPUs, and software
• Perform engineering trade studies involving performance, SWaP, cost, complexity, reliability, and technical risk
• Guide hardware/software/firmware partitioning and subsystem interface development
• Lead system integration, troubleshooting, verification, and performance characterization in laboratory and field environments
• Analyze test results against system requirements and identify opportunities for performance improvement
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams
• Contribute to new concepts, white papers, technical proposals, program reviews, and customer briefings
• Identify new business development opportunities, engage with potential customers, and write white papers and full proposals

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world impact
• Collaborative, mission-driven research environment
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and career growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• B.S. + 8 years, M.S. + 6 years, or Ph.D. + 3 years of relevant experience
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Technical Expertise

• Strong background in RF and microwave engineering, including RF architectures, signal chains, antennas, and transmit/receive systems
• Demonstrated experience with radar, RF communications, electronic warfare, or related sensing systems
• Experience developing system architectures and translating system-level requirements into subsystem requirements and interfaces
• Understanding of radar and communications performance analysis, including SNR, noise figure, dynamic range, propagation, and waveform considerations
• Solid foundation in digital signal processing and hands-on experience with RF laboratory instrumentation

Applied Experience

• Experience developing complex RF systems from concept through integration, test, and demonstration
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot interactions across RF hardware, digital hardware, firmware, software, and algorithms
• Familiarity with real-time processing platforms such as SDRs, FPGAs, GPUs, and SoCs
• Experience developing and executing system-level verification and test activities

Additional Skills

• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar engineering/programming environments
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and system-level problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering teams, program leadership, and customers
• Experience with technical documentation, design reviews, proposals, and customer presentations
• Willingness to travel occasionally for testing, demonstrations, and customer engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance; SCI and/or recent SAP experience preferred
• Experience with RF/EM simulation tools such as ADS, HFSS, or CST
• Experience with maritime, airborne, or other operational sensing environments
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical efforts and mentoring junior engineers

The salary range is: $117,684-$175,054. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.