DSP SW Engineer

Lever, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Health and wellness care options

Job summary

E-Space in Santa Clara is seeking a firmware engineer to help advance space-based 5G NR PHY processing for NTN. You will develop DSP algorithms, implement C/C++ firmware, and build models and test vectors for ASIC/verification teams.

The role requires strong DSP fundamentals, C/C++/Python/MATLAB skills, and familiarity with embedded constraints and SystemC/TLM workflows. This is a full‑time position in our Santa Clara office.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated DSP and digital-communications fundamentals (sampling, filtering, modulation, OFDM, synchronization).
• Ability to implement and debug numerical algorithms in C/C++, and to use Python or MATLAB for simulation and test automation.
• Familiarity with 5G NR PHY basics and embedded software constraints (timing, memory, interfaces).

Responsibilities

• Implement and evaluate DSP and 5G NR PHY functions for satellite communications over NTN.
• Develop and run PHY/link-level simulations to measure performance under satellite channels.
• Develop, test, and optimize C/C++ DSP firmware for 5G NR PHY processing.
• Create reference models, test vectors, and documentation for ASIC design and verification teams.
• Contribute to SystemC TLM and high-level synthesis development with guidance from engineers.
• Support pre-silicon verification and chip bring-up by running regressions and documenting fixes.

Skills

DSP fundamentals

C/C++ programming

Python

MATLAB

5G NR familiarity

SystemC know-how

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SystemC

HLS tools

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you’ve 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 deliveryassociated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We’re intentional, we’re unapologetically curious and we’re 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.

What you will do:

• Implement and evaluate defined DSP and 5G NR physical-layer (PHY) functions for satellite communications over non-terrestrial networks (NTN), working from agreed specifications and technical guidance.
• Develop and run PHY/link-level simulations to measure error rates, throughput, and acquisition and tracking performance under representative satellite channel conditions, including propagation delay, Doppler, noise, and RF impairments.
• Develop, test, and optimize C/C++ DSP firmware for 5G NR PHY processing, meeting defined execution-time, memory, power, and numerical-accuracy requirements.
• Create floating-point and fixed-point reference models, reproducible test vectors, and expected results for ASIC designers and verification engineers. Document interfaces, scaling, rounding, saturation, and other assumptions needed to compare implementations.
• Contribute to SystemC transaction-level modeling (TLM) and high-level synthesis (HLS) development, including synthesizable implementations, with guidance from engineers experienced in these flows.
• Support pre-silicon verification and new-chip bring-up by running regressions, comparing model, firmware, and hardware results, investigating discrepancies, and documenting fixes with ASIC, verification, and software engineers.

What you bring to this role:

• Demonstrated DSP and digital-communications fundamentals, including sampling, filtering, modulation, OFDM, synchronization, channel estimation, and error-correction concepts. Evidence may come from academic, research, personal, or professional projects.
• Ability to implement and debug numerical algorithms in C/C++, and to use Python or MATLAB for simulation, analysis, and test automation.
• Working knowledge of wireless PHY processing and the ability to translate technical specifications into implementation and test cases; familiarity with the basic structure of a 5G NR PHY.
• Understanding of fixed-point arithmetic, quantization, overflow, and numerical precision, with the ability to compare an implementation against a reference model.
• Understanding of embedded software constraints, including execution time, memory use, and hardware/software interfaces, supported by practical implementation or debugging work.
• Ability to build reproducible tests, use version control, document technical assumptions and results, and explain discrepancies during code and design reviews.

Bonus points for the following:

• Experience with SystemC TLM, or with HLS tools to develop and verify synthesizable C/C++ or SystemC implementations.
• Experience with 5G NR or NTN algorithms and specifications, satellite channel modeling, or compensation for Doppler and timing effects.
• Experience with FPGA/ASIC verification, emulation, SDR platforms, chip bring-up, or laboratory validation of communication systems.
• Experience with 5G NR MAC, PHY/MAC interfaces, scheduling interactions, or HARQ procedures.
• Experience implementing and optimizing algorithms on vector DSPs, including SIMD intrinsics, vectorization, and efficient memory access.
• Experience with low-power ASIC or firmware design, including reducing computation and data movement, managing idle states, or measuring power consumption.

Additional Requirements

This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.

$100,000 - $200,000 a year

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Santa Clara office. The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $200,000 annually. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used—so we’re looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that’s your experience – then we’ll be immediately wow-ed.

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success. Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals. In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That’s why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

An opportunity to really make a difference

Sustainability at our core

Fair and honest workplace

Innovative thinking is encouraged

Competitive salaries

Continuous learning and development

Health and wellness care options

Financial solutions for the future

Optional legal services (US only)

Paid holidays

Paid time off