Sr Research Engineer - RF & Systems Engineer

Overview SRI is seeking a Senior Research Engineer with deep expertise in RF and Systems Engineering to lead the development, integration, and evaluation of advanced radar, communications, and sensing systems from our office in Boulder, CO. This role emphasizes RF system architecture, requirements development, system-level design and analysis, hardware/software integration, and hands-on prototype development and testing. You will work within multidisciplinary teams to develop advanced systems spanning RF hardware, antennas, digital signal processing, embedded computing, software, and firmware. Applications include radar, communications, electronic warfare, remote sensing, quantum sensing, and photonics. The ideal candidate combines strong RF fundamentals with a systems-level perspective and enjoys taking complex technologies from initial concept and requirements through prototype development, field demonstration, and transition. This role is part of SRI’s Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD) , which develops innovative, high-performance technologies across domains including radar and electronic warfare, imaging systems, robotics, quantum sensing, and applied optics. CHECK OUT OUR RESEARCH HERE! Responsibilities Lead the architecture, design, development, and integration of advanced RF radar, communications, and sensing systems Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification approaches Perform RF system analysis, including link budgets, radar performance analysis, noise analysis, dynamic range, sensitivity, and interference assessments Develop system architectures spanning antennas, RF front ends, transmit/receive chains, data converters, embedded processors, FPGAs, GPUs, and software Perform engineering trade studies involving performance, SWaP, cost, complexity, reliability, and technical risk Guide hardware/software/firmware partitioning and subsystem interface development Lead system integration, troubleshooting, verification, and performance characterization in laboratory and field environments Analyze test results against system requirements and identify opportunities for performance improvement Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams Contribute to new concepts, white papers, technical proposals, program reviews, and customer briefings Identify new business development opportunities, engage with potential customers, and write white papers and full proposals What We Offer Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world impact Collaborative, mission-driven research environment Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and career growth Qualifications Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field B.S. + 8 years, M.S. + 6…