Research Scientist - RF Machine Learning

Welcome page Returning candidate? Log back in! Research Scientist - RF Machine Learning Job Locations US-MD-College Park Requisition ID 2026-166632 Position Category Scientific, Research & Analysis Clearance Top Secret/SCI w/Poly Responsibilities Peraton Labs is seeking a poly cleared Senior Research Scientist to support cleared research and development efforts for a Maryland-based IC customer. This role will focus on leading the design, development, prototyping, and evaluation of RF Machine Learning algorithms and signal processing techniques for advanced wireless, spectrum, cyber, and communications research. You’ll work on mission-focused R&D efforts that move from research concepts to working prototypes and operationally relevant capabilities. You will collaborate with researchers, software engineers, signal processing experts, and customer stakeholders to solve complex problems involving RF sensing, signal characterization, waveform analysis, spectrum awareness, and machine learning-enabled wireless systems. This position requires full-time on-site work at a customer site near College Park, MD. Key responsibilities may includeLead the design, development, prototyping, and evaluation of RF/ML algorithms for wireless, spectrum, and communications applicationsResearch and implement machine learning approaches for RF signal detection, classification, characterization, anomaly detection, emitter identification, spectrum sensing, or waveform analysisDevelop and evaluate algorithms using modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, scikit-learn, JAX, or similar toolsApply strong digital signal processing and RF domain knowledge to develop, train, test, and validate models against real-world or simulated RF dataDesign data collection, labeling, preprocessing, feature extraction, training, evaluation, and experimentation workflows for RFML researchDevelop software prototypes using Python, C/C++, MATLAB, GNU Radio, or similar toolsAnalyze RF signals, wireless protocol behavior, modulation characteristics, channel effects, interference, noise, and system performanceWork with RF datasets, signal captures, IQ data, SDR platforms, and lab or field-collected spectrum dataSupport integration of RFML capabilities into larger research prototypes, testbeds, cyber experimentation platforms, or operationally relevant systemsCommunicate research findings, technical approaches, experiment results, and prototype capabilities through customer briefings, technical reports, whitepapers, and publicationsProvide technical leadership, mentor junior researchers or engineers, and help shape future RFML research direction *This position may be eligible for an increased sign-on bonus. Eligibility, bonus amount, and applicable terms and conditions will be discussed during the recruiting process* #MDFSP#PLABS26 Qualifications Minimum QualificationsMinimum of 6+ years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 4+ years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 2+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline. In lieu of a Bachelors, an additional 4 years of experience is required for a total of 10+ years.Strong background in Radio frequency Machine Learning, digital signal processing, wireless communications, or RF systems researchExperience designing, developing, training, testing, or evaluating machine learning models for RF, wireless, spectrum, signal processing, or communications applicationsExperience with modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, scikit-learn, or similar toolsStrong Experience programming in Python and at least one additional language such as C/C++, Java, or similarExperience working with RF data, signal captures, IQ samples, simulated waveforms, or real-world wireless datasetsExperience working in Linux-based dev environmentsAbility to develop, test,...