Based on the foundation of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, Virginia Tech launched the Virginia Tech National Security Institute in September 2021. With a presence in Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C., metro area, the institute aspires to be the nation's preeminent academic organization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research, technology, policy, and talent development, the national security institute will advance national security in pursuit of a secure America.
This is a research and development position based in Blacksburg, Virginia, and is part of the Institute’s Mission Systems Division (MSD). MSD brings together researchers from aerospace and ocean systems engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, computer science, AI/ML, and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges in platforms, including satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and drone swarms involving hardware, algorithms, sensor networks and phenomenologies, and more. Successful candidates for this position will have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: avionics, small satellites, TT&C systems, small aerial or underwater vehicles, model-based systems engineering, or cyber physical security. The winning candidates can expect competitive salary and benefits in a university setting. This pooled position is focused on individuals with expertise in any of three key technology areas to support a growing portfolio of programs:
1) Digital communications, signal processing, software-defined radio, and/or machine learning techniques applied to temporal data such as RF I/Q streams, audio, or video.
2) Computational electromagnetics, with emphasis on electromagnetic materials, interactions between EM behaviors/propagation, and manufacturing/testing of EM materials.
3) RF Engineering and Circuit Design, focused on developing and analyzing RF systems and hardware for space communications and other advanced platforms.
Successful applicants will have experience in research and systems such as:
• RF Fundamentals and Circuit Design: Fundamental knowledge of RF concepts such as frequency, signal propagation, and decibel calculations. Experience with transmission lines, impedance matching, and circuit design for amplifiers, filters, and oscillators.
• Antenna Design and Testing: Understanding of antenna theory and proficiency with design tools to create and evaluate performance metrics such as gain, radiation patterns, and polarization.
• RF Measurements and Testing: Proficiency with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers and network analyzers, performing measurements like VSWR, return loss, S-parameters, power, phase, and noise figure.
• Communication Systems and Standards: Knowledge of wireless communication principles (modulation, coding schemes) and standards (Wi-Fi, LTE, satellite communication).
• Simulation and Modeling: Familiarity with RF and electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, HFSS, CST Microwave Studio) for component design and system analysis.
• Signal Processing and Software-Defined Radio Technologies: Experience with SDR hardware platforms, FPGA development, and embedded DSP. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, GNU Radio, and Python for RF spectrum access and communication systems.
• Regulatory Compliance: Awareness of RF regulations and standards such as FCC and ETSI for spectrum management and EMC/EMI compliance.
• Technical Documentation and Reporting: Ability to document research findings, designs, and experimental results clearly for both internal reporting and peer-reviewed publications.
Candidates are anticipated to align with one of the dominant research portfolios, yet flexibility in tasking and projects permits growth across different technology areas. For all technical specialties, specific responsibilities include the following:
- Support the execution of university-sponsored programs by conducting research and development;
- Author/co-author technical documents including publishing peer-reviewed academic papers;
- Support the development of new funded research programs by participating in proposal teams and supporting the business development activities of the Mission Systems Division;
- Provide mentorship to students and junior researchers working on programs.
