Leidos
Electrical Engineer/Spectrum Engineer (UAS)
Leidos, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Job Title and Location
Electrical Engineer (Spectrum Engineer)
FAA Headquarters, Washington, DC
Overview Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer with specialized experience in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-19) at FAA Headquarters. The Spectrum Engineering Group safeguards civil aviation spectrum resources, ensuring interference‑free operation of FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems across the National Airspace System (NAS). As UAS operations expand, the FAA needs engineers who understand RF characteristics, propagation considerations, and regulatory frameworks for UAS command‑and‑control (C2/CNPC), payload data links, airborne terminals, and ground‑based systems.
Core Responsibilities
Contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of FAA and non‑FAA frequency assignment actions, ensuring technical analyses and documentation conform to FAA Orders, the NTIA Manual (Redbook), and engineering standards.
Perform analyses to determine whether UAS frequencies introduce unacceptable interference to FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance systems.
Identify potential UAS‑related interference risks and propose technical mitigation.
Conduct technical analyses for both airborne and ground‑based UAS systems, including propagation modeling, link analyses, terrain impacts, signal power, and interference potential.
Evaluate scenarios involving BVLOS operations, networked vs non‑networked UAS systems, airborne transmitter impacts on aviation systems, and UAS terminals transmitting in shared or congested federal bands.
Validate all technical data (location, equipment, parameters, emission designator, power, bandwidth, and antenna characteristics) for completeness and accuracy.
Evaluate UAS operations in federal and non‑federal bands following FAA, RTCA, ITU, and ICAO guidance.
Assist in preparing technical input for domestic spectrum certification processes and international coordination activities.
Support technical studies and spectrum planning efforts related to expanding UAS operations in national and international airspace.
Support the FAA’s role in global harmonization efforts for UAS communications and non‑payload spectrum use.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, telecommunications engineering, or equivalent technical field. Completion of a formal spectrum management course or equivalent military experience in spectrum management (e.g., AFSC 3D1X4, MOS 25E) is also acceptable.
3+ years of relevant experience in UAS integration, spectrum engineering, or aviation systems planning.
Understanding of UAS command‑and‑control links, airborne transmitter characteristics, line‑of‑sight propagation, and RF interference mechanisms.
Experience conducting propagation modeling, link‑budget analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) studies.
Ability to apply spectrum‑engineering methodologies to novel or emerging UAS systems.
Ability to learn FAA‑specific software and systems.
U.S. citizenship and active Secret (or higher) security clearance required.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of spectrum‑engineering principles, electromagnetic theory, and radio‑frequency propagation as applied to communications, navigation, and surveillance systems supporting the NAS.
Understanding of the unique spectrum requirements for UAS, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Familiarity with NTIA Redbook, FAA Order 6050.32, ICAO/RTCA UAS Spectrum Standards, and FCC Part 87/90/95 rules.
Experience with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable.
Compensation Pay Range: $85,150.00 – $153,925.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and does not guarantee compensation. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities, education, experience, and market data.
EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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Overview Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer with specialized experience in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to support the FAA Spectrum Engineering Services Group (AJW-19) at FAA Headquarters. The Spectrum Engineering Group safeguards civil aviation spectrum resources, ensuring interference‑free operation of FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems across the National Airspace System (NAS). As UAS operations expand, the FAA needs engineers who understand RF characteristics, propagation considerations, and regulatory frameworks for UAS command‑and‑control (C2/CNPC), payload data links, airborne terminals, and ground‑based systems.
Core Responsibilities
Contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of FAA and non‑FAA frequency assignment actions, ensuring technical analyses and documentation conform to FAA Orders, the NTIA Manual (Redbook), and engineering standards.
Perform analyses to determine whether UAS frequencies introduce unacceptable interference to FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance systems.
Identify potential UAS‑related interference risks and propose technical mitigation.
Conduct technical analyses for both airborne and ground‑based UAS systems, including propagation modeling, link analyses, terrain impacts, signal power, and interference potential.
Evaluate scenarios involving BVLOS operations, networked vs non‑networked UAS systems, airborne transmitter impacts on aviation systems, and UAS terminals transmitting in shared or congested federal bands.
Validate all technical data (location, equipment, parameters, emission designator, power, bandwidth, and antenna characteristics) for completeness and accuracy.
Evaluate UAS operations in federal and non‑federal bands following FAA, RTCA, ITU, and ICAO guidance.
Assist in preparing technical input for domestic spectrum certification processes and international coordination activities.
Support technical studies and spectrum planning efforts related to expanding UAS operations in national and international airspace.
Support the FAA’s role in global harmonization efforts for UAS communications and non‑payload spectrum use.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics, telecommunications engineering, or equivalent technical field. Completion of a formal spectrum management course or equivalent military experience in spectrum management (e.g., AFSC 3D1X4, MOS 25E) is also acceptable.
3+ years of relevant experience in UAS integration, spectrum engineering, or aviation systems planning.
Understanding of UAS command‑and‑control links, airborne transmitter characteristics, line‑of‑sight propagation, and RF interference mechanisms.
Experience conducting propagation modeling, link‑budget analysis, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) studies.
Ability to apply spectrum‑engineering methodologies to novel or emerging UAS systems.
Ability to learn FAA‑specific software and systems.
U.S. citizenship and active Secret (or higher) security clearance required.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of spectrum‑engineering principles, electromagnetic theory, and radio‑frequency propagation as applied to communications, navigation, and surveillance systems supporting the NAS.
Understanding of the unique spectrum requirements for UAS, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Familiarity with NTIA Redbook, FAA Order 6050.32, ICAO/RTCA UAS Spectrum Standards, and FCC Part 87/90/95 rules.
Experience with Spectrum XXI or similar federal spectrum management tools is highly desirable.
Compensation Pay Range: $85,150.00 – $153,925.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and does not guarantee compensation. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities, education, experience, and market data.
EEO Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
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