Senior RF Systems Engineer (SDR)

Location: Onsite in Herndon, Virginia, United States

Salary: $145,353–$218,030 USD annualized

Company

hirify.global develops and deploys innovative products addressing complex challenges and supporting safer global outcomes.

What you will do

• Design architectures and develop, test, analyze, and debug software for DSP and SDR systems.
• Reverse engineer commercial off-the-shelf devices and complex RF protocols, including reception logic and PRN codes.
• Synthesize custom RF waveforms and generate downlink messages from reverse-engineered signal parameters.
• Detect, identify, and decode captured RF waveforms and communication signals using modulation schemes such as FSK, PSK, and QAM.
• Implement custom SDR solutions in Linux using COTS platforms and software.
• Run laboratory experiments, validate generated signals with RF test equipment, and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams.

Requirements

• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility is required.
• At least 5 years of DSP and SDR development experience.
• Extensive RF reverse-engineering experience, including deriving transmission parameters and regenerating target signals.
• Experience generating and synthesizing complex RF signals and waveforms.
• Experience in SIGINT, commercial telecommunications, cellular, or communications systems development and testing.
• Degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or equivalent practical, military, or intelligence community experience.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of space-based signal structures, modulations, and protocols, including GPS L1/L2, GNSS, and SATCOM.
• Experience with QBPSK, BOC, Ghidra, firmware reverse engineering, FEC, Viterbi and Reed-Solomon decoding, interleaving, and framing analysis.
• Experience with satellite simulation software such as AGI STK or mitigating extreme Doppler shifts.

Culture & Benefits

• Autonomy to define toolchains, guide laboratory build-outs, and select SDR platforms and software.
• Rapid prototyping environment with cross-functional engineering collaboration.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus life and disability insurance.
• Retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance, and professional development.
• Competitive compensation based on education, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational requirements.