Embedded Software Engineer, DSP

OceanComm, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive stock options

Paid vacation 20 days

Paid sick leave

Flexible schedule

Mentorship and training

Professional development support

Job summary

OceanComm, Inc. in the United States is seeking engineers excited by challenging embedded DSP problems where algorithms, firmware, electronics, and real-world operating conditions all work together. This high-ownership role lets you influence the full product stack from modem firmware and DSP to undersea drones and customer deployments. The position offers mentorship, travel up to 20%, and a fast-growing team.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in EE/CE or related, 0–5 years relevant experience.
• Strong C/C++ skills and assembly-level debugging/optimization.
• Solid background in linear algebra and DSP (filters/transforms).
• Experience drafting technical documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% depending on project phase.
• U.S. Person.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain real-time embedded C/C++ code for core modem firmware features.
• Implement, optimize, and validate advanced acoustic signal processing algorithms.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and field teams to define interfaces and verify performance.
• Develop tests, tools, and procedures for firmware validation, hardware bring-up, production test, troubleshooting, and repair.
• Keep up to date with emerging technologies to inform engineering decisions.
• Help improve engineering culture, communication, and standards as the team grows.

Skills

C/C++

Assembly-level debugging

DSP

Written communication

Willingness to travel

Education

B.S./M.S. in EE/CE or related

Tools

FPGA development

VHDL

Job description

Underwater communication is one of the hardest wireless problems on Earth. Radio waves attenuate quickly underwater, so our systems use sound, much like whales and dolphins, to transmit high-bandwidth data, including video. We are looking for engineers excited by challenging embedded DSP problems where algorithms, firmware, electronics, mechanics, and real-world operating conditions all have to work together.

This is a high-ownership role on a small, quickly growing team. You will not be one engineer among hundreds working on a narrow subsystem; you will have direct visibility into the full product, from modem firmware and acoustic signal processing to undersea drones and customer deployments.

About Us

Underwater, the wireless transfer of a single picture used to take an hour. OceanComm brought to market wireless modems that transfer data 100 to 1,000 times faster. Legacy modems were largely status and command links; our modems can control undersea drones with live video feedback, fundamentally changing what operators can see, decide, and do underwater. Leading organizations in defense, offshore energy and oceanographic research rely on OceanComm to keep their undersea systems connected.

What You Will Do

• Develop and maintain real-time embedded C/C++ code, including for core components of OceanComm’s acoustic modem firmware, owning features from concept through deployment
• Implement, optimize, and validate advanced acoustic signal processing algorithms
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and field teams to define interfaces and verify system performance
• Develop tests, tools, and procedures for firmware validation, hardware bring-up, production test, troubleshooting, and repair
• Keep up to date with emerging technologies and research in relevant fields to help inform engineering and design decisions
• Help improve engineering culture, communication, and technical standards as the team grows

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related discipline, with 0-5 years of relevant experience
• Strong C/C++ skills and familiarity with assembly-level debugging/optimization
• Strong foundation in linear algebra and digital signal processing, including filters and transforms
• Experience drafting technical documentation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel, with occasional periods up to 20% depending on project phase
• U.S. Person

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience deploying DSP and/or machine-learning algorithms on resource-constrained embedded platforms
• Familiarity with FPGA development and hardware description languages such as VHDL
• Experience with analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, e.g., low-noise amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters, and analog front ends
• Familiarity with sonar and/or undersea technology

• Competitive base salary and incentive stock options
• Paid vacation starting at 20 days per year, increasing with tenure
• Paid sick leave with carryover
• Flexible schedule with core hours
• Close mentorship and training from experienced engineers and technical leaders
• Professional development support for conferences, books, courses, or technical training
• Hands-on work with advanced acoustic, embedded, and undersea robotics hardware

Compensation

The pay range for this position is $90,000 - $150,000 per year. Actual pay will depend on the candidate’s experience and skill demonstrated during interviews and other evaluations.

OceanComm is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vet.