Communications Engineer

Job#: 3034894

Job Description:

Communications Engineer

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Employment Type: Contract to Perm

Job Location Requirement: Onsite

Security & Citizenship Requirements

Due to U.S. federal research contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Communications Engineer to support the research, development, and integration of advanced communications platforms for Department of Defense applications. This role focuses on the design and development of embedded software, firmware, and communication systems that enable adaptive communications, intelligent spectrum sensing, electronic warfare applications, and next-generation wireless technologies.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing software and/or firmware within RF communication systems rather than solely deploying, testing, or operating communications networks. Successful candidates may come from backgrounds in 5G radio systems, software-defined radio (SDR), tactical communications, RF systems, electronic warfare, SIGINT, or other advanced communications domains. This position offers the opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary research teams developing innovative communications capabilities spanning 5G, 6G, NextG, and defense communications technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, test, and evaluate advanced communications systems and embedded software for RF platforms.
• Develop communication simulations, perform system characterization, troubleshooting, debugging, and performance analysis.
• Design and implement software and firmware components supporting wireless communications, SDR platforms, and RF technologies.
• Contribute to the development of advanced communication waveforms, networking concepts, and adaptive communications capabilities.
• Support development efforts related to 5G, 6G, NextG, ORAN, and other emerging wireless technologies.
• Develop and maintain kernel-level and user-space software, applications, and automation tools.
• Analyze communications protocols and collaborate with researchers developing AI/ML-enabled optimization techniques for communication systems.
• Integrate communications software with SDR, RFSoC, and other radio hardware platforms.
• Conduct laboratory and field testing of communications systems and experimental prototypes.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, white papers, and research proposals.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams and provide mentorship to junior engineers and student researchers as needed.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field.

Experience

This is an open-rank position where level and compensation will be determined based on qualifications and experience. A bachelors degree with 0 years of related experience is the minimum requirement.

Candidates should possess experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Communications systems development or research.
• Embedded software or firmware development in C and/or C++.
• RF communications systems, software-defined radios (SDR), or RF-enabled embedded platforms.
• Wireless communications technologies such as 4G LTE, 5G, 6G, ORAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, tactical communications, SATCOM, or similar technologies.
• Communications platform integration, testing, and performance analysis.
• Leading or contributing to technical research and development projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Security Clearance.
• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience developing embedded software or firmware for RF communication systems.
• Experience with 5G base stations, radio units, wireless infrastructure, or next-generation communications systems.
• Experience developing communications capabilities on SDR platforms such as Ettus, RFSoC-based systems, or similar technologies.
• Experience with tactical communications systems, Link 16, P25, SATURN, VHF/UHF radios, Iridium, or related defense communications technologies.
• Experience in electronic warfare (EW), signal intelligence (SIGINT), spectrum sensing, or cognitive communications systems.
• Proficiency in modern C/C++ software development (C++11, C++17, C++20).
• Experience with Linux-based software development environments.
• Experience with containerized software development, deployment, and security practices.
• Experience with networking protocols and distributed communications architectures.
• Familiarity with AI/ML techniques applied to communications and spectrum optimization.
• Experience designing software that interfaces directly with RF hardware and radio subsystems.

Ideal Candidate Backgrounds

Candidates from organizations that design and develop communication systems and radio technologies-including defense, wireless infrastructure, telecommunications, and advanced communications companies such as Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola Solutions, Apple, or similar organizations-are highly desired.

What Will Make Someone Successful

The strongest candidates will have experience designing or developing the embedded software and firmware that operates within RF communication systems, radio units, or wireless infrastructure platforms. Experience strictly focused on network deployment, tower operations, communications testing, avionics buses, or higher-level network administration is generally not sufficient without hands-on software or firmware development experience.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $92,000 - $160,000 annually, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and applicable security clearance status. A comprehensive benefits package is available to eligible employees.

This employer is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details.

If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.

UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.

Employee Type:

Contract

Location:

Atlanta, GA, US

Job Type:

Engineering and Technicians

Date Posted:

May 18, 2026

Pay Range:

$45 - $78 per hour

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