Communications Engineer - ELSYS - Colorado Springs, CO - (Open Rank)

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.
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Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

• This role seeks an experienced engineer with a technical background in an Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO)-related field (e.g. EW, radar, comms). The Communications Engineer will be assigned to the Test Engineering (TEN) Division and will serve as an on-site liaison to the United States Space Force (USSF) Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) Integrated Program Office (IPO). This role will support OTTI and the development of the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) EMSO range by providing Subject Matter Expertise (SME), technical analysis of current system capabilities, future capability needs, and implementation trades. The applicant should:
  
  * Have hands-on experience using and implementing RF systems, equipment, networks, and/or test environments.
  * Have hands-on engineering experience with RF systems over-the-air (OTA) an/or in Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) environments. Experience with implementing HWIL environments or experience performing system testing in HWIL environments is a plus.
  * Have a solid grasp of relevant Radio Frequency (RF), hardware, software, firmware, communication, and digital signal processing concepts.
  * Follow current engineering trends and have the ability to provide forward-thinking recommendations and robust, elegant designs.
  * Be a proficient user of RF test equipment, both via front-panel and remote programming operations.
  * Be proficient in providing RF system analyses (e.g. link budgets, J/S analyses, antenna sizing, throughput calculations, power budget).
  * Be familiar with using a high-level programming language (e.g. MATLAB, Python)
  * Be familiar with digital/waveform concepts (e.g. IQ, Nyquist theorem, waveform theory, constellation diagrams, modulation schemes, bit rate vs. symbol rate).

Research, design, development and prototyping of communications equipment and systems. Utilizing experience and knowledge of end-to-end communications systems to architect novel and robust communications systems including emerging software-defined radio platforms and other emerging commercial communication systems and advanced tactical networks. Establish key performance requirements for various target radios across multiple operating bands, environments and targeted applications. Develop, implement, characterize and test leading-edge waveform and communications technologies enabling greater performance while enhancing EW capabilities through secure communications.

• Primary author of technical reports/presentations for projects of moderate/high complexity
• Compile report input from other researchers and prepare final report deliverable
• Lead and/or contribute to white papers and proposals
• Propose and lead IRAD programs -Create and analyze network protocols

• Communicate near-future range needs via development and maintenance of roadmaps to support EMSO test and training at the United States Space Force (USSF) Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI)'s NSTTC
• Guide integration between NSTTC disciplines (physical, virtual), regimes (EM, Orbital, Cyber) and joint-force ranges for joint-force, multi-domain test and training
• Recommend methodologies and specific infrastructure to perform test and evaluation activities, crewmember training for space warfighting systems, and joint exercises
• Provide subject matter expertise to inform prudent requirements development and decomposition to judiciously implement NSTTC EMSO systems and systems-of-systems
• Source and manage GTRI resources to accomplish above responsibilities

• Technical engineering experience in electromagnetic system test, design, implementation, and/or integration
• Solid grasp of RF concepts
• Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Experience with electromagnetic spectrum test, evaluation, and training using satellites and ground-segment equipment
• Experience with electromagnetic protection (EP) methodologies, strategies
• Experience with electromagnetic attack (EA) techniques
• Familiarity with satellite constellations and orbital regimes (LEO, MEO, GEO)
• Technical experience implementing SATCOM systems
• Technical familiarity with satellite systems (ground segment, space segment, user segment)
• Experience with satellite modem configuration
• Experience with Hardware-In-The-loop (HWIL) for the purpose of test and training
• Experience with large-scale, RF-centric exercises (joint-service involvement a plus)
• Experience with Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) threat systems
• Experience with system engineering lifecycle development process, roadmapping, preacquisition support, requirements development, and test planning
• Proficient in the development and publication of technical reports
• Experience developing system-level requirements
• Strong analytical and briefing skills
• MATLAB proficiency
• Experience with AFSIM, STK

10% - 25% travel

Levels 4, 5

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 9 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Science, Artificial Intelligence, Astronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related degree
• 7 years of related experience with a Masters' degree in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Science, Artificial Intelligence, Astronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related degree
• 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Science, Artificial Intelligence, Astronautical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Space Systems Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related degree

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

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