Principal RF Research Scientist (RFML/DSP/SDR)

Peraton Labs is seeking a poly cleared Principal RF Research Scientist to lead and execute cutting-edge R&D in Radio Frequency Machine Learning (RFML), Digital Signal Processing (DSP), and/or Software Defined Radio (SDR). You will serve as a technical leader for our research team, driving development from concept through prototype, while collaborating closely with our MD based government customer. This role will also include shaping new work through whitepapers, proposals, and customer-facing technical leadership.

This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer site near College Park, MD.

Key responsibilities may include:

Leading or co-leading the technical design, development, and prototyping of RF sensing/communications solutions including detection/classification, waveform characterization, interference mitigation, spectrum situational awareness, link analysis, or related mission applications
• Developing and evaluating DSP algorithms for real-world RF environments
• Applying machine learning/deep learning approaches to RF problems
• Implementing research prototypes in Python, C, C++, Java, or other languages, with emphasis on reproducibility, performance, and operational relevance
• Integration and testing of algorithms on SDR platforms (USRP-class devices) using GNU Radio and/or custom frameworks
• Research and prototype against relevant wireless standards and stacks (LTE/5G concepts, open-source implementations, or other waveforms/protocols aligned to program needs)
• Production of high-quality technical artifacts and contributing to publications and/or patents where appropriate
• Serve as a technical interface with the government customer by leading technical exchanges, communicating results clearly, and translating mission needs into R&D plans
• Contributing to business development by supporting capture, authoring technical volumes/whitepapers, developing ROMs, and identifying follow-on opportunities
• Mentoring of junior staff and defining technical direction

Required qualifications

• Minimum of 12+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree, 10+ years of experience with a Master's degree, or 8+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in Computer Science or related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 16 years.
• Demonstrated depth in one or more of the following: RFML, DSP, and/or SDR/wireless prototyping
• Strong RF fundamentals: sampling, modulation, channel effects, noise/interference, link budgets, synchronization, detection/estimation
• Hands-on development experience in Python and/or C/C++ within a SCIF environment
• Experience developing and validating prototypes using SDR hardware and/or RF test setups
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical work clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to work independently, lead small technical teams, and collaborate across disciplines
• Experience supporting or leading DoD/IC customer engagement and contributing to proposal/capture activities
• US Citizenship is a requirement for this position
• This position requires an active/current TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

Preferred qualifications

• Strong applied experience with ML frameworks such as PyTorch and/or TensorFlow/Keras
• Experience with robustness/adversarial considerations in RFML
• Experience with real-time or embedded implementation constraints
• Familiarity with GNU Radio, UHD, and SDR driver/tooling, to include third-party SDR platforms beyond USRP
• Experience with distributed signal processing (multi-sensor, coherent/distributed collections, time sync, networked RF systems)
• Familiarity with Linux, Git, containers (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD, and reproducible research pipelines
• History of publications/patents, conference presentations, or documented technical leadership
• Experience in DoD/IC mission environments and/or rapid prototyping for field or operational demonstrations

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.