Embedded Software Engineer

Parsons Corporation•Chantilly, VA

3d•$125,100 - $225,200

About The Position

This position focuses on Embedded Software Engineering for high-performance RF and DSP systems, leveraging Xilinx SoCs and FPGA-based signal processing chains in support of digital signal processing (DSP) programs.

Requirements

Ability to obtain a security clearance.
US citizenship is required.
BS or similar in an engineering discipline (Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related).
4 to 8 years of embedded software experience.
Experience with RF transceivers (e.g., Analog Devices AD936x, AD908x, or similar) in DSP or SDR contexts.
Understanding of digital electronics and ability to follow schematic diagrams, especially around high-speed data converters and FPGA interfaces.
Familiarity with AXI interconnects, DMA engines, and high-throughput data paths for streaming DSP data.
Knowledge of GNU toolchains, cross-compilation, and Yocto-based workflows for building embedded Linux images and applications.
Understanding of wireless or SDR systems and how baseband DSP (e.g., modulation, filtering, channelization) maps onto RF hardware.

Nice To Haves

Design, implement, and optimize DSP algorithms for RF applications such as modulation/demodulation, filtering, FFTs, channelization, and digital down/up conversion, targeting Xilinx SoCs/FPGA-based systems.
Experience writing Interface Control Documents (ICDs) or high-level design documents that define DSP data paths, timing, and control interfaces.
Experience writing automated test code and controlling external RF test equipment (e.g., for automated DSP performance and regression testing).
Ability to use test equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers in the debug of device control interfaces and DSP data paths.
Experience with custom Linux drivers for high-speed data capture, streaming, and control in DSP-centric systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain embedded Linux applications using PetaLinux on Xilinx SoC platforms to control and interface with FPGA-based DSP pipelines.
Interface embedded software with FPGA logic using AXI, DMA, interrupts, EMIO, and memory-mapped peripherals to move high-rate RF I/Q data through DSP chains.
Develop and test designs that incorporate high-speed RF ADC and DAC devices for wideband signal capture, generation, and processing.
Configure, interface, and control ADC/DAC JESD204 (A/B/C) links and related JESD parameters to support reliable, high-throughput signal acquisition for DSP applications.
Implement and debug SPI, I²C, GPIO, and register-level control interfaces for RF front-end components, clocking, and DSP-related control paths.
Support JESD204 link bring-up and debug in coordination with FPGA and hardware teams, ensuring end-to-end DSP data-path integrity and timing closure.
Perform system bring-up, debugging, calibration, and performance optimization with a focus on DSP metrics such as SNR, SFDR, EVM, and dynamic range.
Collaborate closely with RF, FPGA, hardware, and systems engineers to define architectures, requirements, and interfaces for DSP-centric systems (e.g., SDRs, channelizers, and custom RF processing nodes).
Validate designs using RF lab equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, VNAs) and correlate measurements with expected DSP performance.
Document software, DSP algorithms, system interfaces, and test procedures for repeatable deployment and verification.
Write low-level firmware for board-level controls via FPGA and/or microcontroller in VHDL and/or C/C++, with an emphasis on supporting DSP data paths and timing.