Principal DSP Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Principal Signal Processing Engineer to join their innovative team. In this hands-on role, you will design and develop advanced signal processing algorithms that contribute to critical radar systems for defense applications. Work in a collaborative environment with a strong technical focus, enjoy flexible working hours, and contribute to impactful projects that protect lives. Eligibility for UK Security Clearance is required.

Benefits

Flexible working with a good balance of home and office time

No people management – purely technical focus

Project variety and long-term job security

Friendly, down-to-earth engineering team

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of real-time software-based signal processing environments.
• Ability to apply Systems Engineering principles (ISO 15288) across full lifecycle.
• Clear, methodical thinker who enjoys working independently.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced signal processing algorithms for radar platforms.
• Model, develop, test, and validate performance using MATLAB.
• Define and manage system and sub-system requirements.

Skills

Signal Processing

Software Engineering

Physics

Computer Science

Education

Degree in Software Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or similar

Tools

MATLAB

IBM DOORS Next

Job description

Job Description

Principal Signal Processing Engineer

Can be based in either; Cowes (Isle of Wight), Portsmouth or Chelmsford

Hybrid – typically 2-3 days per week in the office

£60,000–£70,000 depending on experience

Do you love diving deep into problems and crafting elegant, efficient signal processing algorithms? This is a hands-on, technical role where your work will feed directly into mission-critical radar systems used in defence.

You’ll be part of a close-knit, highly skilled engineering team working across the full development lifecycle. From building MATLAB models to defining and validating algorithms, you’ll take real ownership of the technical solutions you design—without any line management or people oversight. Just uninterrupted problem-solving.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Designing and developing advanced signal processing algorithms for radar platforms
• Using MATLAB to model, develop, test, and validate performance
• Defining and managing system and sub-system requirements using IBM DOORS Next
• Collaborating with design leads and fellow engineers to integrate your algorithms into wider radar systems
• Applying Systems Engineering principles (ISO 15288) across the full lifecycle

Who We’re Looking For

• Someone with a background in Software Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or similar
• Strong experience in Signal Processing—industry background is flexible
• Deep knowledge of signal processing in real-time, software-based environments
• Strong grasp of the link between algorithms, hardware and software
• A clear, methodical thinker who enjoys working independently and solving problems
• A UK-born (required for future security clearance, though clearance is not required to start)

Why This Role?

• Develop tech that protects lives and supports defence
• Flexible working with a good balance of home and office time
• No people management – purely technical focus
• Project variety and long-term job security in a growing area
• Work with friendly, down-to-earth engineers who love what they do

Please Note:

Due to security requirements, applicants must be British-born and eligible for UK Security Clearance. You can start the role while this is being processed.