2027 Entry Level DSP & SDR Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Chantilly, VA

9d•$90,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an entry-level DSP & SDR Engineer for its Digital Electronics and Electromagnetic Department within the Mission Payloads Division. The department works across communications systems, from RF signals to digital bits, including modeling and simulation, RF chain analysis and design, software-defined radio systems, satellite payloads, signal collection, modulation, testbeds, and antenna design and measurement. The engineer will support critical space programs and collaborate with technical experts while providing strategic guidance to the U.S. Space Force and Intelligence Community. The position is full-time and requires working on-site at the facility in Chantilly, Virginia. Domestic travel of up to 10% may be required. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain this clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics, or a related technical discipline, pursued or conferred within the last 12 months.
0–1 year of industry work experience.
Experience with scientific programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C.
Exposure to a laboratory environment and common RF test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers.
Understanding of basic DSP principles, including modulation, filtering, and sampling, and ability to apply them to custom algorithms.
Willingness to travel domestically up to 10% of the time.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain this clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics, or a related technical discipline, pursued or conferred within the last 12 months.
Active DoD security clearance.
Experience with software-defined radios or embedded electronics.
Exposure to RF communication system principles, design, and analysis.
Demonstrated ability to work independently on relevant high-impact tasks.
Familiarity with programming and interfacing with Linux-based systems, including SDRs, FPGAs, laboratory equipment, and other embedded devices for custom applications with real-world performance requirements.
Experience using machine-learning workflows or HPC hardware for digital signal processing applications.
Understanding of computer networking principles and protocols.

Responsibilities

Gain hands-on experience with laboratory infrastructure, including SDR hardware platforms, CI/CD development environments, high-performance computing hardware, and RF test and measurement instrumentation.
Solve technical problems involving communications, signal collection, data processing, and hardware prototyping.
Help ensure ongoing development programs remain successful and identify opportunities for improvement in future missions.
Support technical studies, analyses, experiments, and simulations; document and present findings to a wide audience.
Work with subject-matter experts in cross-organizational teams and participate in interfaces with customers and Aerospace program offices.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.