Georgia Tech

Communications Engineer (Experienced) - SEAL - Open Rank

Georgia Tech$160K — $230K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active Secret Clearance required, with preference for Active Top Secret Clearance.
  • Expertise in communication system design, waveform development, and network protocol optimization.
  • Track record of delivering secure tactical communication solutions for military applications.
  • Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in high-pressure settings.
  • Proficiency with software-defined radio (SDR) technologies.
  • Strong analytical skills focusing on RF and communication systems.
  • Capable of communicating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

  • Author technical reports and presentations for complex projects.
  • Compile and finalize project report inputs from team members.
  • Lead contributions to white papers and proposals.
  • Propose and manage Independent Research and Development (IRAD) programs.
  • Design and prototype advanced software-defined radio systems.
  • Lead technical teams on secure communications and electronic warfare projects.
  • Oversee testing and characterization of communication systems under various operational conditions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and welfare plans.
  • Retirement plans offering competitive contributions.
  • Tuition reimbursement for ongoing education.
  • Generous time off policies.
  • Professional development opportunities to enhance career growth.
Full Job Description
Project/Unit Description

This position is embedded in the Command, Control, and Communication Division (C3D) within the Sensor and Electromagnetic Application Laboratory (SEAL) at GTRI. The team is focused on providing state-of-the-art solutions for tactical communications, sensor integration, and data analytics, with applications spanning AI/ML integration, decision support systems, and enhanced battlefield management capabilities.

Location

Boston, MA

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
  • Primary author of technical reports/presentations for projects of moderate/high complexity.
  • Compile report input from other researchers and prepare final report deliverable.
  • Lead and/or contribute to white papers and proposals.
  • Propose and lead IRAD programs
  • Create and analyze network protocols

Additional Responsibilities
  • Design and prototype advanced software-defined radio (SDR) systems, integrating novel waveforms to meet unique operational challenges.
  • Provide technical leadership for multi-disciplinary teams on projects involving secure communications and enhanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.
  • Develop and optimize network architectures for high-performance tactical communication systems in contested environments.
  • Oversee testing and characterization of communication systems under varying operational conditions to ensure robustness and reliability.
  • Act as a liaison with external partners, including DoD agencies, to align project goals with mission-critical requirements.
  • Mentor junior engineers and researchers, fostering expertise in advanced communications and system integration.

Required Minimum Qualifications
  • Active Secret Clearance
  • Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing communication systems, including waveform development and network protocol optimization.
  • Proven track record of developing secure and reliable tactical communication solutions for military or defense applications.
  • Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deliver results in high-pressure environments.
  • Proficiency in software-defined radio (SDR) technologies and tools.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to RF and communication systems.
  • Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Active Top Secret Clearance
  • Extensive experience in DoD operations, acquisitions, or program management.
  • Expertise in advanced tactical network protocols and cross-domain integration for multi-mission platforms.
  • Experience leading projects involving the integration of advanced communication systems into MDS.
  • Published research in recognized journals or conferences.

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement.The final job offerwill 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
  • 9 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Computer Science, Physics, Systems Engineering, and related fields.
  • 7 years of related experience with a Masters' degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Computer Science, Physics, Systems Engineering, and related fields.
  • 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Computer Science, Physics, Systems Engineering, and related fields.

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels (Levels 5 & 6).

Salary

$160,470 - $230,300 (10% premium will be added to this base due to the high cost of living)

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/.

About Georgia Tech

The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the University System of Georgia and has satellite campuses in Savannah, Georgia; Metz, France; Athlone, Ireland; Shenzhen, China; and Singapore. The school was founded in 1885 as the Georgia School of Technology as part of Reconstruction plans to build an industrial economy in the post-Civil War Southern United States. Initially, it offered only a degree in mechanical engineering. By 1901, its curriculum had expanded to include electrical, civil, and chemical engineering. In 1948, the school changed its name to reflect its evolution from a trade school to a larger and more capable technical institute and research university. Today, Georgia Tech is organized into six colleges and contains about 31 departments/units, with emphasis on science and technology. It is well recognized for its degree programs in computer science, engineering, and business. Student athletics, both organized and intramural, are a part of student and alumni life. The school's intercollegiate competitive sports teams, the four-time football national champion Yellow Jackets, and the nationally recognized fight song "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech", have helped keep Georgia Tech in the national spotlight. Georgia Tech fields eight men's and seven women's teams that compete in the NCAA Division I athletics and the Football Bowl Subdivision. Georgia Tech is a member of the Coastal Division in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Learn more about Georgia Tech

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