Only applicants with a Public Trust clearance via the NSF will be considered for this role.

The Enterprise IT&C Radio Frequency Engineer is a senior-level position supporting the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The position is responsible for working with managers, supervisors, engineers, technicians, end-users, vendors, manufacturers, various USAP partner organizations, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) client to actively advise and assist in all aspects of RF communication systems engineering, operation, sustainment, and decommissioning within the program.

The successful candidate is to establish and maintain familiarity with technical details of, and support requirements for all radio communication systems used throughout the USAP. Systems include HF, VHF, UHF, microwave, paging, field and infrastructure wireless links, narrowband satellite systems such as Iridium phones and data links, and other RF equipment as assigned. The position can be performed via home office telework, but being local to Centennial Colorado is desired to facilitate equipment testing, configuration, shipping to operational locations, and other hands-on work. Operational locations include but are not limited to McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott South Pole, and Palmer stations, and logistics hubs in New Zealand and Chile. This position coordinates support of RF systems with IT&C Station Managers and their staff, members of the science community, and engineering staff in the ASC Centennial office.

*** Deployment to Antarctica, New Zealand, Chile, and various locations within the United States may be necessary at the discretion of management (approximately 25% of the year). The candidate in the position must complete the physical and dental examinations required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica. ***

Due to contract requirements, US Citizenship is required.

The Challenge:

• Design, upgrade, modify, integrate, replace, and dispose of RF systems to include analog and digital and associated copper, fiber, and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity for remote operation

• Support RF voice and data communications system sustainment

• Engage with on-station technical staff, stakeholders, clients, partner organizations, projects staff

• Develop and execute test plans to verify project performance requirements

• Document and validate system characteristics as required to facilitate Spectrum Management

• Maintain inventories of equipment.

• Identify, log, and track RF system sites and characteristics whether actively used or not

• Establish and manage corrective and preventative maintenance plans for RF infrastructure

• Identify and recommend life-cycle procurements for investment prioritization.

• Establish systems requirements, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Bill of Materials (BoM)

• Generate time and cost estimates, contribute to project and proposals

• Provide technical training and guidance to station staff

• Review seasonal Science Information Plans (SIP)

• Contribute to seasonal field operation Resource Support Plans (RSP)

• Create formal system documentation and status reports

• Perform administrative functions such as annual review or initial creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), various reports, white papers, and Technical Implementation Plans (TIP)

• Maintain working relationships with IT&C Station Managers, their staff, and engineering teams to ensure radio communications success

What Sets You Apart:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least eight (8+) years of position-related experience or demonstratable knowledge of and ability to perform basic qualifications

• Experience operating, maintaining, and installing radio communication electronics to include HF, VHF, UHF, microwave, wireless networking, and narrowband satellite systems

• Knowledge of Land Mobile Radio (LMR) industry, manufacturers, and technology

• Experience designing, installing, maintaining, upgrading, and programming LMR systems

• Antenna theory knowledge sufficient to evaluate radiation patterns

• Experience analyzing area coverage and link margins for design and documentation purposes

• Experience in training and providing both remote and on-site support to technical teams

• Proficiency with MS Office suite programs and Visio

• Strong written communication skills, ability to create and present formal documents

• Must be comfortable working at heights such as atop buildings or near mountainous cliffs

• Ability and willingness to deploy to Antarctica annually for 4 to 12 weeks per year

• Ability to pass physical and dental examinations as required by the NSF for Antarctic deployment

• A Public Trust clearance as required by the NSF for employment

You May Also Have:

• Knowledge of functional analysis studies to include requirements derivation, requirements allocation, timeline analysis, trade study, cost estimation, and interface definition

• Knowledge of Spectrum Management process

• Knowledge of Radio Frequency Interference risk analysis and mitigation measures

• Knowledge of radiation and electrical safety policies and procedures

• Knowledge of Project Management processes and procedures

• Familiarity with both commercial Iridium and DoD Iridium account services administration

• Familiarity with rigging processes, procedures, materials, and work requirements

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Original Posting:

October 10, 2025

Pay Range:

Pay Range $89,700.00 - $162,150.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.