Research Engineer III – RF and Systems Engineer

Overview

SRI is seeking a Research Engineer III with a strong background in RF and Systems Engineering to contribute to the development, integration, and evaluation of advanced radar, communications, and sensing systems. This role emphasizes RF system architecture, requirements development, system-level design and analysis, hardware/software integration, and hands-on prototype development and testing. This role is onsite in Boulder, CO.

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

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and test advanced RF, radar, communications, and sensing systems and subsystems
• Contribute to system architectures, subsystem requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification approaches
• Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, radar performance, noise figure, dynamic range, sensitivity, and interference assessments
• Design and evaluate RF architectures involving antennas, RF front ends, transmit/receive chains, data converters, and embedded processing hardware
• Perform engineering trade studies involving performance, size, weight, power (SWaP), cost, reliability, and technical risk
• Support hardware/software/firmware integration and troubleshoot interactions across system components
• Conduct hands-on RF hardware development, prototype assembly, laboratory testing, and performance characterization using RF test instrumentation
• Develop and execute test procedures, analyze results against requirements, and identify opportunities for system improvement
• Independently manage technical assignments and occasionally lead small engineering teams or defined technical tasks
• Document designs, analyses, test results, and technical accomplishments through reports and presentations
• Participate in technical discussions with customers and support occasional field testing and demonstrations
• Contribute to technical proposals, white papers, and new research concepts as opportunities arise

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field
  • B.S. + 5 years, M.S. + 3 years, or Ph.D. + 0-1 year of relevant experience
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Technical Expertise

• Strong foundation 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
• Familiarity with 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
• 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 performing system-level testing, verification, and performance characterization

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

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

The salary range is: $104,139-$154,903. 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.