Lead Aviation Spectrum Engineer

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The Integrated Transportation Future Vision and Research Department is currently seeking a motivated, experienced Aviation Systems Engineer with experience in the wireless communications and spectrum domains to design innovative solutions, make evidence-based recommendations to help the Federal Aviation Administration chart the future of aviation, and deliver high impact outcomes to sponsors across the transportation sector, particularly in support of critical infrastructure and national security missions.

The Future Vision and Research department is shaping and maturing the evolutionary concepts that will lead the aerospace domain to a safe, efficient, and agile operation in the future, working in concert with our fellow departments in the Transportation Evolution and Systems Engineering division as the FAA moves to the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) environment. As an Aviation Systems Engineer in this department, you will be working in the public interest to apply your engineering knowledge and expertise to design and evaluate new operational concepts, participate in harmonization and regulatory analyses and activities, and work in partnership with industry and government to address aviation's most challenging emerging problems.

Our employees are empowered to work on multiple projects, cross-pollinate across teams, and bring forward new ideas in a continuous learning environment.

• Passionately apply your engineering skills and experience to help shape the future of aviation with a particular focus on spectrum harmonization and Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems engineering.

• Communicate results and recommendations in an intuitive, actionable manner.
• Navigate complex, consensus-driven multi-stakeholder environments where technical, regulatory, operational, economic, and national interests may be in tension, while maintaining an evidence-based engineering perspective.
• Lead technical analyses supporting domestic and international spectrum harmonization, policy, and regulatory activities, including preparation for and participation in ITU-R Study Groups and Working Parties, WRC/CPM activities, standards-development organizations, and domestic spectrum forums.
• Plan and execute compatibility, coexistence, interference, propagation, link-budget, and aggregate-interference studies to evaluate the impact of emerging wireless technologies on incumbent aviation and other critical systems, as part of domestic studies and harmonization activities.
• Assess the operational, technical, and policy implications of spectrum allocation and regulatory changes, developing technically sound recommendations that balance innovation, mission needs, and protection of safety-critical systems.
• Model potential interference from external systems into incumbent spectrum-dependent systems, quantify operational impacts and identify protection criteria and mitigation approaches.

• Build and validate study models using tools such as MATLAB, Visualyse, SEAMCAT, Atoll, iQ-link, HTZ, or similar tools, and clearly document assumptions, methodologies, and findings.
• Develop strong working relationships with government sponsors, industry stakeholders, standards bodies, and internal technical leaders to understand challenges, evaluate solutions and conduct impactful analyses.
• Work with Department and Division leadership to align efforts with sponsor priorities, anticipate future challenges and priorities, and apply innovative thinking to maximize impact today and in the future.

• Bachelor's degree with 10 years of related experience, Master's degree with 8 years of related experience, or PhD with 5 years of related experience in one or more of the following disciplines: Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Wireless Communications Engineering, Spectrum Management and Policy.
• Demonstrated success leading and delivering high-quality technical products under government-funded projects that result in meaningful sponsor outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and executive-level audiences and operate effectively in sensitive, high-visibility, consensus-based environments.
• Strong foundation in RF engineering, wireless communications, spectrum engineering, propagation modeling, and interference analysis.
• Demonstrated experience conducting spectrum compatibility, coexistence, interference, spectrum sharing, or spectrum repurposing analyses for wireless or spectrum-dependent systems.
• Experience analyzing spectrum policy and regulations and developing technical recommendations related to spectrum management and emerging wireless technologies.
• Working knowledge of domestic and international spectrum governance and harmonization processes, including ITU-R activities and domestic regulatory and spectrum-management frameworks.
• Experience developing technically defensible written products such as regulatory or standards contributions, technical reports, analysis memoranda, or executive-level briefings.
• Demonstrated ability to perform spectrum compatibility and coexistence analyses using tools such as MATLAB, Visualyse, SEAMCAT, Atoll, iQ-link, HTZ, or similar analytical and simulation tools.
• Knowledge of communications, navigation, surveillance, or other spectrum-dependent systems used in aviation, transportation, critical infrastructure, defense, or related sectors.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance.
• Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site.

• Active Secret clearance.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Wireless Communications, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience working with communications, navigation, surveillance, or other spectrum-dependent systems used in aviation, transportation, critical infrastructure, defense, or related sectors.
• Experience supporting spectrum engineering, spectrum policy, or spectrum-management activities within government, industry, standards organizations, or research environments.
• Experience supporting international harmonization activities, including participation in ITU-R Study Groups, Working Parties, regional telecommunications organizations, or standards-development organizations.
• Experience leading or contributing to electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) repurposing, spectrum sharing, coexistence, or modernization initiatives involving government and commercial stakeholders.
• Understanding of commercial wireless technologies and standards, including 4G/5G, satellite communications, Open RAN, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and emerging wireless technologies.
• Experience with the transportation sector and aviation ecosystem, including familiarity with Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems.
• Knowledge of technologies and connectivity requirements associated with emerging aviation users, including Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
• Experience engaging with senior government leaders, industry partners, standards bodies, and cross-agency working groups to build consensus and influence technical and policy outcomes.

Secret


Secret


$146,400 - $183,000 - $219,600 Annual


Hybrid



All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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