Systems Engineer Sr. Principal

Public Trust: None

Requisition Type: Regular

Your Impact

Own your opportunity to work alongside federal civilian agencies. Make an impact by providing services that help the government ensure the well being of U.S. citizens.

Job Description

RF Systems Engineer Sr. Principal

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has an exciting opportunity for an Systems Engineer Sr. Principal to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the research of Counter Unmanned Aviation Systems (CUAS). This research includes both detection systems (Passive, Radar, EO/IR cameras, and other technologies) along with mitigation systems (Actives transmitters, “net captures” and associated technologies). The candidate applying for this position shall have a thorough and in-depth understanding of spectrum analyzers and emitter systems and will document and present spectrum analysis on the systems under test for the preparation and guidance to FAA for use on airports.

Key Area of Responsibilities:

• Strong knowledge of radar systems-
  • Perform radar systems testing, and validation across multiple frequency bands (e.g. L, S, C, X, Ku, Ka) and various waveforms (FMCW, pulse-Doppler, phased array, etc.)

• Conduct RF measurements: power, gain, EIRP, spectrum occupancy, and EM/EMC compliance against manufacturers claims to validate and ensure it meets FAA Spectrum requirements to operate safely in an airport environment.

• Experience with antenna range measurements, near field and far field.

The candidate will support GDIT program with UAS detection and mitigation technology/system research, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) efforts. The Employee will support development of ‘performance specifications’ framework for UAS detection and mitigation technology with the objective of creating Advisory Circulars or other FAA guidance and policy documents.

HOW A RF/SPECRUM ENGINEER MAKEs AN IMPACT

• Performs systems modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Prepare and execute test plans and test cards.
• Support planning and coordination efforts in preparation for the deployment, testing, and evaluation of UAS detection and mitigation technologies/systems
• Perform and document a hazard analysis and other safety related analyses prior to conducting UAS detection and mitigation testing/evaluations.
• Perform and document spectrum interference testing at each airport, prior to the commencement of UAS detection and mitigation testing/evaluations.
• Develop a methodology and ranking criteria for selecting UAS platforms for testing/evaluating against UAS detection and mitigation technologies/systems.
• Assist with each UAS detection and mitigation technology/system vendor with deploying, operating, maintaining, monitoring, troubleshooting, collecting data, and removing technologies/systems.
• Review, analyze, and report on the data collected during the test and evaluation period.
• Develop pass/fail criteria and metrics for testing/evaluating each of the UAS detection and technologies tested.
• Support fully documenting all UAS detection and mitigation technology/system RDT&E performed.
• Continually review and analyze the data being collected and help prepare draft Engineering Brief/Advisory Circular language, or other guidance document that describes the performance specifications, selection, procurement, deployment, and management of UAS detection and mitigation technologies/systems in the airport environment.
• Through longitudinal operations of multiple technologies/systems at multiple airports, prepare guidance for best practices to manage the effective use of UAS detection and mitigation technologies/systems to secure the airport and ensure fundamental principles of safety risk management are followed.

WHAT YOU”LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in operations research, computer science, engineering, mathematics, information systems, management science, aviation, aeronautical, or air traffic management/science. Master's Degree, MBA, or PhD in related field may be substituted for bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience.
• Required Experience: Minimum 15-plus years of demonstrated relevant experience
• Must possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid US Passport.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Required Technical Skills: Research techniques, creating plans, cost estimation, risk management, data collection and analysis. Demonstrated experience using spectrum analyzers to characterize and illustrate spectrum environments, and to determine if a system is compliant with FCC and/or NTIA regulations. Experience collecting open air RF/Spectrum data
• Security Clearance Level: FAA Suitability
• Required Skills and Abilities: Basic understanding of evaluating functional capabilities of a system or technology. Able complete assigned tasks with little or no supervision. Excellent technical writing skills. Able to present technical information to technical and non-technical audiences. Self-Starter. Highly collaborative. Capable of planning and fully executing research and development projects. On-Time completion of deliverables that meet customer quality requirements Familiarity with MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.
• Preferred Skills: Creating and executing test plans and procedures, data analysis, data visualization. Proficiency using MS Excel formulas or tools like JMP to statistically analyze data and develop visualizations of the research data.
• Work on site at the Customer site (William J Hughes Technical Center, near Atlantic City NJ)
• Will be required to lift objects weighting 25 lbs. or less.
• Possible travel: 10% to 25%

Work Requirements

Years of Experience

10 + years of related experience

* may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree

Certification

Travel Required

Less than 10%