RF Systems Engineer; Principal Engineer

Job Description

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Our mission is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.

Our vision is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.

MSTS offers highly competitive salaries, benefits packages (medical, dental, vision, pension, 401k, paid time off, 96 paid holidays, relocation for locations >75 miles, tuition assistance and reimbursement, and more). MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., and HII Nuclear Inc.

$–$ per year.

As an RF Systems Engineer (Principal Engineer) at the Special Technologies Laboratory (STL) in Santa Barbara, CA, you will support engineering and scientific efforts across a broad portfolio of national security projects, including Dynamic Experiments, Nonproliferation Research and Development, Cyber Physical Defense, and Strategic Systems and Intelligence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and selecting antennas for specific applications; developing antenna fabrication, tuning, and characterization.
• Developing RF simulation and circuit designs, including novel circuitry for compact oscillators, delay structures, and communication systems.
• Performing power and link budget analysis for communications systems and radar.
• Designing digital signal processing and communications system architectures.
• Overseeing research data compilation, analysis, and ensuring high-quality documentation.
• Conducting equipment vulnerability assessment and red‑team testing.
• Operating and testing hardware and firmware hands‑on.
• Leading small teams, mentoring junior staff, and presenting education or training.
• Writing or contributing to proposals for funded projects and R&D.

• Bachelor’s degree in an ABET‑accredited engineering program (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) or a calculus‑based STEM degree; or a Professional Engineer license.
• Minimum of 9 years of relevant experience with demonstrated technical specialization or cross‑disciplinary knowledge; graduate research experience may be considered.
• Ability to interpret applicable codes and standards.
• Experience with anechoic chamber operations for antenna characterization.
• Familiarity with wireless communications standards and protocols (cellular, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Iridium, etc.).
• Understanding of RF modulation formats (QAM, PSK, m‑Ary) and real‑world RF effects (multipath, fading, atmospheric).
• Knowledge of RF chipsets and embedded hardware (microcontroller/FPGA) for baseband demodulation is desirable.
• Familiarity with spectrum allocation and FCC/ETSI requirements;
  IoT protocols such as MQTT (encrypted, authenticated) is desirable.
• Willingness to travel to meetings and field tests.
• Strong time‑management, organizational, and safety habits.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical reports.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a pre‑placement physical exam and drug screen.
• U.S. citizenship and minimum age 18 to obtain DOE Q‑level security clearance.
• Capability to undergo DOE background investigation and maintain clearance; understanding of related regulations and potential impact of dual citizenship.

Position will be cleared to DOE Q‑level. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the clearance, which requires a U.S. citizen at least 18 years old and a successful counterintelligence evaluation (including potential polygraph). DOE background investigation, drug testing, and other security checks are mandatory.

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other protected characteristics. MSTS is a background screening, drug‑free workplace.

• Seniority level:
  Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Information Technology
• Industries: IT Services and IT Consulting