Senior Digital Signal Processing Systems Engineer

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. As a Senior Digital Signal Processing System Engineer you will support programs to create innovative, multidisciplinary technical solutions, for a broad range of highly-complicated mission needs. You will participate in hands-on engagement with concept and prototype development, which may include software or firmware coding, test equipment operation, support of system integration, field tests and customer demonstrations. Due to the nature of our customers’ missions, this position is necessarily performed onsite in our recently-renovated Cambridge facility and laboratories. Typical candidates have 1-5 years of relevant DSP experience and a DSP-focused Master’s thesis. Aligned with our goal of developing long-term relationships with Draper staff, we offer the best benefits package and retirement plan in our industry.

Requirements

DSP algorithm design and implementation (e.g. FIR filter design, adaptive filtering, channel equalization, application of LMS, Maximum Likelihood and MMSE estimators, multirate signal processing)
Statistical channel detection/estimation
Neyman-Pearson detectors and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
Experience with wireless communications (4G/5G, MIMO, OFDM)
Knowledge of RF systems and architecture
Experience with signal link budget hand calculations
Experience with embedded software for FPGAs and GPUs
Hands-on experience with test equipment for RF measurements
FPGA, GPU, or C implementation of signal processing algorithms
Experience programming and utilization of software defined radios
Very experienced using Matlab and/or python for DSP signal analysis
Strong problem-solving skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative team environment
Excellent self-management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details
Knowledge of RF systems and architectures.
Knowledge of fundamentals of electrical engineering.
Skills with RF and Communications software tools.
Hands on experience with instrumentation for RF measurement.
Strong problem solving skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willing to work in highly collaborative team environment.
Excellent management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details.
Requires bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
Requires 5–10 years experience in Radio Frequency or Communications Engineering or related field.
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Design waveforms and algorithms suited for high performance applications
Support signal processing areas of complex engineering projects in a fast-paced environment
Develop and maintain expertise in telecommunications technology and network architectures
Use standard laboratory instrumentation for validation and troubleshooting
Perform analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency systems and algorithms
Provide DSP insight and suggest associated algorithms based on analysis outcomes
Demonstrates strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals
Supports business development activities including development of proposals and engaging with sponsors
Designs RF and Communications systems that solve challenging problems.
Manages complex engineering projects in a fast-paced environment.
Develops and maintains effective internal/external relationships.
Drives solutions to complex problems with limited direction—contributes to requirements development, proposes ways forward, and adapts appropriately to changes in requirements.
Performs analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency or communications systems.
Contributes to customer presentations.
Able to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines.
Identifies program/system-level technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.
Actively mentors less experienced teammates and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
Ability to lead a cross functional team.
Involved in business development and proposal activities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.