Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute’s (VTNSI) Spectrum Dominance Division (SDD) is seeking to fill an early-career research engineering position, joining our team for various technical areas including but not limited to: threat weapon system analysis, reverse engineering design, and cognitive radar and electronic warfare (EW) algorithm development.

With a presence in both Blacksburg, VA and Washington D.C. metro areas, VTNSI serves dual missions of (1) performing cutting edge research and development for externally sponsored Department of Defense and Intelligence Community programs and (2) cultivating the next generation of national security workforce and thought leaders by engaging students in curricular, extracurricular, and research and development opportunities. As one of the fastest growing thematic research institutes at Virginia Tech, sponsors and collaborators benefit from VTNSI through both highly experienced student talent pipelines and senior technical leadership that addresses some of our nation’s greatest national security challenges and threats.

VTNSI’s SDD is a leader in research and development of national security technologies and solutions for maintaining radio frequency spectrum superiority. Key areas of focus include resilience of commercial wireless infrastructures and technologies (5G and beyond), development of signal processing algorithms for spectrum awareness (signal detection, estimation, classification, etc.), next generation radio hardware and front-ends (antenna design, multiple aperture arrays, etc.), and the general application of state-of-the-art AI/ML within the radio frequency spectrum space.

To help achieve the overarching aspirations of VTNSI, and the specific technical goals of the SDD, we are looking for applicants with an interest in radar, EW, antenna design and analysis, AI/ML techniques, and reverse engineering. Prior professional experience in these areas is not a prerequisite but at least some academic or hands-on background is required. The candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

General activities of this position will consist of:
• Applying engineering fundamentals and concepts from academia to research and analysis tasks in focus areas such as radar, EW, and antennas.
• Learning more advanced technical concepts of assigned programs (through both independent learning as well as through program mentors).
• Developing simulation environments in either Python or Matlab for analysis tasks in radar, EW, and antennas.
• Researching foreign design philosophies and techniques to perform threat representative reverse engineering design.
• Applying AI/ML techniques to cognitive radar and EW research domains.
• Performing technical writing and oral briefings on research and analysis results for sponsor meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Given the nature of the research and requirements from federal sponsors, the candidate must be a US citizen.
• An earned Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM discipline to the position summary.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• some academic or hands-on background in radar, EW, antenna design and analysis, AI/ML techniques, and reverse engineering


Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with radio frequency (RF) applications, specifically in radar or EW.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a research or analysis team in executing sponsored projects.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Matlab, or C++.
• Ability to convey technical research and analysis through both written and oral communication.
• Familiarity with AI/ML development toolkits (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, Open AI).
• Familiarity with high frequency electromagnetic design tools such as HFSS.
• Prior experience with software reverse engineering tools such as IDA Pro or Ghidra.