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Electrical Engineer/Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer

Leidos · Des Plaines, IL · $69,550–$125,725 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 21, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about an interference case you solved. What was the source and how did you find it?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real track record in interference mitigation, not just theory.

Tell me about working with a regulatory body or another agency on a technical issue.

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate across organizations with different priorities and processes.

What would you do

You track interference to a private business's equipment. How do you approach them?

What they are checking: Whether they handle sensitive contacts tactfully while working with regulators like the FCC when needed.

This role has up to 50 percent travel. How do you feel about that?

What they are checking: Whether they are realistic about frequent field travel to investigation sites.

About the work

A pilot reports interference on a communications frequency near an airport. Walk me through how you would investigate it.

What they are checking: Whether they can move from a report to data analysis to field direction finding in a logical way.

How do you decide which radio frequency interference reports need urgent attention?

What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by safety impact on communications, navigation and surveillance systems.

What equipment have you used for spectrum analysis and direction finding in the field?

What they are checking: Whether they have real hands-on experience with the test equipment the posting requires.

How would you use historical logs and databases to find a pattern in recurring interference?

What they are checking: Whether they can spot time, location or frequency patterns that point to a source.

What makes aviation spectrum different from other spectrum you have worked with?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that safety-of-life systems leave no room for interference.

How do you write up a field investigation so others can act on it?

What they are checking: Whether they document evidence and conclusions clearly for regulators and project teams.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Leidos.

Leidos’ NISC IV program seeks an Electrical Engineer/ Radio Frequency (RF) Engineer to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Spectrum Engineering Services Group in Chicago, Illinois. The Spectrum Engineering Group is responsible for securing, managing, and protecting all civil aviation spectrum resources to ensure interference-free operation of FAA communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) systems across the National Airspace System (NAS). The ideal candidate will have an electrical engineering degree and with at least 2 years of experience in Radio Frequency Spectrum Analysis, interference mitigation, radio direction finding, and field investigations using industry-standard text equipment. The engineer will conduct interference analysis using databases, logs, and historical patterns and conduct on-site investigations as needed. The engineer will work closely with regulatory bodies, engineering teams, and project managers to support spectrum-related initiatives across various projects to ensure mission-critical systems remain compliant and interference-free. This position is in office in Chicago, IL with up to 50% travel as needed. Primary Responsibilities • Monitor and receive reports of radio frequency interference affecting the National Air Space (NAS) operations. • Evaluate the urgency and impact of incoming RFI reports to prioritize responses. • Conduct both remote and on-site Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) investigations using historical data, databases, logs, and RF analysis tools. • Conduct RFI field investigation using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, direction finders, and portable antennas to pinpoint the sources of interference when a physical search is warranted. • Interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve radio frequency interference issues with minimal disruption to the National Air Space (NAS) operations. • Coordinate and communicate with system users, engineering leads, and regional frequency managers. • Prepare comprehensive reports summarizing the interference issues, investigative methods used, findings, and resolutions implemented for review by senior management and other stakeholders as required. • Travel required for conducting on-site RFI investigations and analysis within any of the 17 states within the Central Service Area. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field with course work in electromagnetics preferred. • 2+ years of prior relevant experience in radio frequency (RF) engineering. • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). • Ability to learn FAA-specific software and systems. • Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain. • Must be a US citizen. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with Spectrum Analyzers and Direction Finding (DF) equipment. • Exposure to RF modeling, frequency assignment tools, or engineering databases. • Experience with aeronautical maps and chart plotting. • Ability to interpret technical data and apply mitigation best practices to resolve RF interference issues affecting aviation systems. • Ability to perform Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) calculations, Link Budgets, dBW/dBm/Watt conversions. • Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of spectrum management within the National Airspace System (NAS). • Knowledge of frequency management practices, including engineering, assignment, and protection of radio frequencies, and the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Redbook. • Knowledge of and experience with various frequency policy organizations, including National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), and associated sub-committees, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: August 21, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 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.

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