Senior Software Engineer, 5G Physical Layer

E-Space•Saratoga, CA

8d•$150,000 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then youâve come to the right place! E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems. Weâre intentional, weâre unapologetically curious and weâre 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life. As a Senior Software Engineer focused on the 5G Physical Layer, you will lead the design, implementation, optimization, and integration of 5G NR PHY software for 3GPP Release 15/16/17 and beyond-5G systems. Your work will focus on real-time, performance-critical PHY algorithms running on processor- and accelerator-based platforms, with close interaction with RF, DSP, and hardware teams. This role emphasizes PHY algorithm implementation, real-time constraints, and RF/SoC integration, while supporting higher-layer interfaces as needed. The position is based in Saratoga, USA.

Requirements

Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or equivalent
Significant professional experience as an embedded C and C/C++ software engineer
Strong background in 5G NR PHY and digital communications theory
Experience working with SDR platforms and SoC architectures
Working knowledge of MATLAB and Python for PHY algorithm development and analysis
Strong understanding of real-time embedded software constraints
Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Deep understanding of 3GPP 5G NR PHY specifications (Rel 15/16/17+)
Experience with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and satellite communications
Experience implementing PHY algorithms on DSPs and hardware accelerators
Strong understanding of link budgets, channel models, and RF impairments
Experience with waveform generation, PHY simulation, and lab bring-up

Responsibilities

5G PHY Software Design and Implementation
Design, implement, and optimize 5G NR PHY algorithms on processor-based and heterogeneous SoC platforms
Develop software for key PHY functions such as modulation/demodulation, channel estimation, equalization, synchronization, coding/decoding, and HARQ support
Implement PHY software compliant with 3GPP Rel 15/16/17 specifications
Hardware, RF, and Platform Integration
Integrate 5G PHY software with RF front-end hardware and digital baseband chains
Develop and maintain hardware control software using interfaces such as I2C and SPI
Work with complex SoC architectures, including ARM, DSPs, and hardware accelerators
Develop software interfaces toward embedded accelerators and DSP blocks
Real-Time and Embedded Systems
Design software within strict real-time constraints and low-latency requirements
Develop on embedded Linux, DSP operating systems, and lightweight RTOS such as FreeRTOS and Zephyr
Optimize performance, memory usage, and throughput of PHY software components
Verification, Testing, and Debug
Create and execute PHY-level test cases and validation scenarios
Generate, analyze, and verify PHY test vectors and waveforms
Verify PHY functionality using 5G test equipment (e.g., R&S, Agilent) and commercial UEs
Debug complex PHY, timing, RF, and performance issues across software and hardware boundaries
Technical Leadership and Delivery
Provide effort estimation and technical input for PHY software development tasks
Support customer requests related to 5G PHY features and performance
Document PHY designs, implementations, and results in Confluence or equivalent systems
Collaboration and Ways of Working
Collaborate with RF, systems, hardware, and protocol stack teams to ensure clean PHY-MAC interfaces
Work effectively in a global, distributed team across Europe, India, and the U.S.
Follow SCRUM / Agile and Continuous Integration development practices
Operate autonomously while maintaining strong technical communication