COSMIC Electrical Engineer II

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research • Boulder, CO

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

UCAR is seeking an Electrical Engineer II for the COSMIC Program, a leader in Global Navigation Satellite System-Based (GNSS) remote sensing. This role involves developing next-generation instrumentation for GNSS radio occultation and reflectometry (GNSS-RO/R). The position is at the intersection of hardware engineering and atmospheric science, contributing to systems used globally by weather agencies and research institutions. The COSMIC Program has a history of leadership in GNSS data, including contributions to the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC-1 and COSMIC-2/FORMOSAT-7 missions, aiming to provide innovative remote sensing observations and data products for scientific research, operations, and education.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and 3 years of developmental engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience (e.g., Master's degree in Engineering and at least 1 year of engineering experience; or a Ph.D).
• Demonstrated experience in FPGA programming, architectural design, and SoC development using AMD (Xilinx) tools and IP.
• Strong foundation in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) hardware and software.
• Experience with RF front-end hardware design and analysis.
• Experience with software defined radio (SDR) platforms, including Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) hardware drivers.
• Proficiency in ADC/DAC interfacing and digital hardware conversion.
• Working knowledge of electronic components including analog/digital circuits, amplifiers, power supplies, and digital logic.
• Skilled in testing and troubleshooting electronic circuits and systems using standard bench equipment: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and digital volt meters.
• Experience with Linux/Unix (including embedded) and Windows operating environments.
• Ability to manage concurrent projects and deliverables in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, complete engineering documentation and instruction manuals.
• Comfortable presenting technical material to mixed audiences of engineers and scientists.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in aerospace or electrical engineering or a related science field (e.g., meteorology, environmental science, earth science, computer science, etc.).
• Practical experience using, maintaining, or designing mechanical and electrical/electronic systems.
• Observation field experience.
• Experience in building and using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) hardware drivers, and software defined radios (SDR).
• Knowledge of GNSS signal processing including signal acquisition, phase lock loop (PLL) and delay lock loop (DLL) algorithms.
• Knowledge of embedded computer systems to include architecture design and firmware development.
• Knowledge of Electrical Engineering Communication theory.
• Knowledge of spacecraft design including communications architecture for data downlink, command uplink, and safe mode operations.
• Experience using GNU radio tools.
• Experience using Simulink/MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Develop digital signal processing algorithms for GNSS software defined radio (SDR), including System on a Chip (SoC) architecture, digital filters, signal processing algorithms, and communication interfaces/protocols.
• Design and implement complex FPGA SoC architectures using AMD (Xilinx) tools and IP, focusing on GNSS remote sensing applications.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop and validate algorithms for integration into SDR platforms.
• Contribute to technical roadmaps and design input for next-generation instrumentation.
• Support the development of protocols for transmission, display, and analysis of environmental monitoring data.
• Contribute to system design, software development, and analysis documentation.
• Author and co-author project reports, system documentation, conference papers, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Present research results at project meetings and domestic and international scientific conferences.
• Create and maintain comprehensive engineering documentation for all projects, establishing best practices and formats.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan (UCAR contributes 10% of eligible pay, 100% vested on day one)
• Life insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Time off allowance to attend classes
• Other professional development opportunities
• 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)
• 10 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of regular salary
• EcoPass for local Colorado residents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level