Signal Processor/Software Engineer 3

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

About The Position

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), a research unit at the University of Washington, is hiring a Signal Processor/Software Engineer 3 for its Environmental and Information Systems Department. Reporting to the Senior Engineer, this role is an integral member of the signal processing group and develops complex specialty software for engineering research programs. Work focuses on imaging sonar array beamforming; detection, classification, localization, and tracking of targets in sonar applications; and sensor processing for autonomous systems. The engineer updates existing code and designs, develops, and codes new applications, including converting MATLAB algorithms to operate on real-time systems and dedicated hardware such as GPUs. The role works with system architects and the software development team to implement application functionality, supports standalone applications and toolsets, and creates user interfaces for controlling sonar systems and algorithm and hardware parameters. The engineer participates in design and code reviews, prepares test plans and interface documentation, tests their own code before repository check-in, and conducts unit and system regression testing. The position also includes engineering field work to test developed systems. The candidate must be able to work independently and collaboratively in an agile environment, follow project coding conventions and interface documentation practices, and use software development and testing tools. The position is regular, full-time (100% FTE), first shift, and requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense personnel security clearance. The stated annual pay range is $80,244 to $104,400. APL conducts research in areas including ocean physics and engineering, acoustics and imaging, polar science, remote sensing, and signal processing, with work at UW locations and field locations around the world.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, or a similar engineering field, and at least four years of experience; equivalent education and/or experience may substitute where permitted.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to acquire and maintain a security clearance; the position requires a Department of Defense Personnel Security Clearance.
Working knowledge of array signal processing and Python.
Strong computer skills and experience with Linux, C/C++, and MATLAB.
Understanding of the software development process.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to collaborate effectively to solve problems.
Experience applying signal-processing techniques to real-time systems.
Ability to solve problems independently using existing and emerging scientific or engineering knowledge.
Strong organizational skills, documentation, attention to detail, communication, and time management.
Experience with software revision-control systems.
Experience with collaborative bug-tracking systems.

Nice To Haves

Current active Department of Defense security clearance.
Experience characterizing sonar-system performance, including signal and noise analysis and evaluation of beamforming techniques.
Experience applying signal-processing techniques to real-time systems.
User-interface development experience.
Experience with FPGA SoCs.
Rust experience.
Experience with system and application performance-monitoring tools.
Linux systems operations experience.
Familiarity with Linux network configuration.

Responsibilities

Implement, prototype, and optimize algorithms in MATLAB and C/C++.
Work with Senior Engineers to implement specialty software for engineering research programs, including sonar beamforming, target detection, classification, localization, and tracking, and autonomous-systems sensor processing.
Convert algorithms to operate in real time on dedicated hardware, including GPUs.
Implement new functionality in the existing codebase as part of the software development team.
Support new standalone applications and toolsets as needed.
Create user interfaces to control sonar systems and algorithm and hardware parameters.
Report weekly progress to the program manager.
Participate in program design reviews and present system design information.
Create formal interface documentation and document code as needed.
Use project-management mechanisms to support the team and keep projects on track.
Perform engineering field work to support testing of developed systems.
Unit test new or updated code and conduct full-system regression testing.
Fully test code before checking it into the repository and participate in design and code reviews.