Resilient Communications Senior Engineer

Date: Nov 19, 2023

Location: Oak Ridge, TN, US, 37830

Company: Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Requisition Id 8610 

Level: RP04
Overview:

The Geospatial Science and Human Security Division (GSHSD) is looking for new team members to be a part of our challenging and exciting projects in the area of secure/robust communications research. We focus on developing solutions that utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning that optimize communications in complex RF environments in near real time. We have teams and projects that are working on protocol development, embedded systems technology, software-defined radios, and RF over fiber that provide a wide range of research opportunities and reach a broad array of sponsors.  The Resilient Communications group at ORNL has also just recently installed a ground station for space to ground communication development solutions thus providing an avenue for new and exciting opportunities involving satellite communications.  ORNL is the home to the fastest supercomputer in the world, which allows our group to create complex simulations, such as of 5G environments, on HPC supercomputers giving us an edge over many other research institutions. 

ORNL’s Resilient Communications group is seeking candidates that would like to participate in the wide array of RF projects and opportunities that we have at the lab. While experience in most of the areas listed below is ideal, anyone that has the drive to want to be a part of the projects listed above and has just some experience in the responsibilities listed below are encouraged to apply. Beyond the technologies our group works on, the lab is full of subject matter experts that are constantly involved in unique and complex problems that we help solve through hardware and software solutions. 

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Performing RF signal reception and transmission of data using various modulations schemes (FSK, PSK, QAM, etc.). 
  • Using machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop phy layer solutions in real time.
  • Working on a variety of assignments, collaborating with scientists and engineers, and expectation to produce reliable software and contributions to publications and funding proposals as needed.   
  • Providing specific input to the software and hardware components of system design to include hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components. 
  • Developing reusable software and system components and integrate these into existing and new designs.
  • Programming, testing, documenting, and managing data on new and existing software projects.  
  • Support of real-world test operations and developing bench and other test procedures 
  • Attending and presenting design reviews. Working in both classified and unclassified settings and on a wide variety of applied areas.
  • Writing and participating in research proposals to major funding agencies.
  • Present and report research results and publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Provide Research and Development leadership to the group members that strategically advances science and technology consistent with ORNL's science culture and aspiration to be the world's premier institution.
  • Initiate, lead and perform independent and impactful research on an ongoing basis as evidenced by, for example, innovative solutions delivered to sponsors, successful proposals, presentations, professional community engagement, inventions/patents/copyrights, publications as appropriate, etc.
  • Develop and implement plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.
  • Some travel may be required

 

Basic Requirements:

  • BS and 15+ years relevant experience or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Aerospace, or closely related discipline
  • Comfortable working as part of a team. 
  • Experience in presenting work in a clear and concise manner
  • Must possess a strong commitment to ethical and professional values as well as maintain a compliance with environmental, safety, health, and quality standards.  
  • Special Requirement This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of object-oriented programming, writing well-formed code following industry standards and the ability to adapt to other diverse code style as needed. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work effectively, both independently and as a member of an agile development team is expected.  
  • Competent/familiar with embedded Linux, Python, and embedded C#/C/C++. 
  • Git experience, or equivalent source code management.
  • Experience with open-source GNU Radio software. 
  • Experience with RF scanner/receivers, spectrum analyzers, or network analyzers 
  • Extensive experience with Software Defined Radio systems.
  • Experience with communication protocol development, signal analysis, and machine learning.
  • Modulation, demodulation and signal separation techniques as well as some digital signal processing
  • NVIDIA software experience 
  • Experience with writing proposals and developing technical work plans 
  • Excellent communications skills for visualization and presentation of methodology, results, and demonstrations. 
  • Experience working for or collaborating with DOE National Laboratories, academic institutions, other research organizations and the private sector.

 

Desirable:

  • Linux kernel and driver development experience 
  • RF communications systems engineering and/or integration 
  • RF antenna design, analog and digital signal conversion, and Satellite Communications 
  • Experience with waveforms, waveform design, and characteristics 
  • Small satellite systems with an emphasis on downlink communications.

 

This position will remain open for a minimum of 60 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

 

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.


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