Undergraduate 3 Senior Intern - DiBAS Project: Digitized Broadband Antenna System

Overview

The salary range for this position is $19.67 per hour and is non-negotiable. 

This Statement of Work covers the need for student services to support research, design, fabrication, prototyping, integration, and test activities for the Digitized Broadband Antenna System (DiBAS). The student contractor shall assist in the development of antenna-related and RF subsystem solutions that support wideband sensor-edge digitization for naval applications.

DiBAS is intended to integrate wideband antenna sensors with wideband Direct RF transceivers to digitize wideband I/Q spectrum and transfer RF digital data to receivers over high-speed lines while implementing standardized data protocols and modular open system architecture for cross-platform and cross-domain interoperability. The student contractor will support antenna design, antenna 3D printing, antenna prototyping and testing, RF front-end support, DIBAS chip testing, and Project efforts to build and test antenna and its system at the chamber and in the lab in support of system maturation and fleet-relevant experimentation.

Responsibilities

The student contractor shall provide analytical and technical support in the following areas, as specified under individual task orders, to the work sponsor, and will assist with:

• Antenna design activities in support of DiBAS wideband sensing objectives, including review of design requirements, support to slant antenna studies, and development of candidate antenna concepts for fabrication and evaluation.
• Preparation of antenna design artifacts, engineering notes, concept sketches, basic models, and supporting documentation for prototype fabrication, integration, and testing.
• 3D printing and fabrication support for antenna prototypes and related mechanical components, including preparation of prototype files, coordination of print iterations, inspection of printed parts, and documentation of changes between design versions.
• Assembly, integration, and refinement of antenna prototypes and associated hardware for laboratory or demonstration use.
• Test support for antenna prototypes, including setup assistance, collection of test data, documentation of results, identification of performance trends, and support to iterative design improvements.
• Support to RF front-end integration activities, including assistance with component-level setup, interface checks, subsystem configuration, and technical documentation associated with RF front-end development. The DiBAS architecture includes RF frontend and Direct RF elements within the VPX chassis-based subsystem.
• Support to DIBAS chip testing, Direct RF development board evaluation, and related test activities under government direction, including recording observations, organizing results, and assisting with technical assessment of hardware behavior. The project material indicates firmware development continues using the DRF development board while long-lead hardware is pending.
• Assistance with subsystem integration activities involving antenna, RF front-end, VPX chassis, backplane, single-board computer, and antenna interface elements, as assigned. Project materials identify Unit 1 as the antenna array, Unit 2 as the VPX chassis with Direct RF and RF frontend elements, and Unit 3 as the antenna interface unit.
• Development of technical summaries, briefing inputs, test notes, and background research related to antenna performance, RF subsystem configuration, prototype results, and integration findings.
• Support to engineering documentation associated with design reviews, interconnect diagrams, prototype updates, and milestone products for the DiBAS effort. The project schedule includes antenna optimization, antenna fabrication, critical design review, interconnect diagram package development, and unit integration/test activities.
• Assist with collection, reduction, and organization of engineering and test data to support technical analysis, design iteration, and sponsor review.
• Support Project efforts to build and test antenna and its system at the chamber and in the lab, including fabrication support, integration support, test setup assistance, test execution support, and documentation of test activities and results.

Qualifications

Undergraduate Student 3: Must have course work in the discipline requested on the task order Statement of Work. The student must be at the Senior level and have experience in 100% of the task requirements and be able to accomplish 90% of the work independently.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergrad 3: Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical major preferred. Relevant majors may be suitable given applicable coursework and/or work experience.

Required Course Work:

• Electromagnetics, electricity and magnetism, or equivalent physics/electrical engineering coursework
• Introductory programming or scripting experience
• Experience with laboratory testing, prototyping, or engineering design
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation
• Ability to document test procedures, observations, and results

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Antenna theory or RF systems
• Signal processing
• Electronics or communications systems
• Computer-aided design or 3D modeling
• Additive manufacturing or prototype fabrication
• Embedded systems or hardware test
• Data analysis and visualization
• Experience with Python or C
• Experience supporting prototype design, fabrication, or test
• Experience with technical writing and engineering documentation
• Ability to collect, organize, and interpret test data
• Comfortable working independently and in group settings
• Flexible and able to learn new tools, hardware, and processes based on project needs

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• This position will require the employee to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance
• Due to the regulations established by the Department of Defense, only US Citizens may qualify
• This is a student position and is limited to working 20 hours per week
• This position will remain open until filled
• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.