FPGA RF Signal Processing Engineer Hardware

Front Door Defense; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Unlimited sick time

Job summary

Muon Space is seeking an FPGA RF Signal Processing Engineer to join the HPC team in San Jose. You will implement HDL/RTL for DSP on FPGAs and optimize algorithms across RF applications, including communications, ESM, and radar. You will collaborate with hardware and software teams in a dynamic startup environment.

The role is hybrid with on-site work three days per week in San Jose, CA. A strong background in RTL/HDL, RF DSP, and embedded systems is essential, along with the ability to obtain a

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of FPGA development experience for RF algorithms.
• Experience with RF DSP techniques such as spectrum monitoring, modulation/demodulation, filtering, or channel estimation.
• Proficiency in RTL/HDL (Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL) and FPGA design flows.
• Ability to work with a distributed, interdisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with modern software development tooling and CI/CD.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Implement and optimize RF processing algorithms on FPGAs for real-time execution.
• Design, simulate, and integrate DSP and modulation algorithms for RF applications.
• Collaborate with RF hardware engineers on system bring-up and calibration.
• Author technical documentation, design specs, and test reports.

Skills

FPGA development

RTL/HDL Verilog/SystemVerilog/VHDL

RF DSP techniques

Embedded systems

Git/JTAG debugging

CI/CD for embedded

Team collaboration

Clearance readiness

Python

C/C++ or Rust

Education

Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering degree

Tools

Xilinx/AMD RFSoC/MPSoC

Job description

FPGA RF Signal Processing Engineer

Develop and optimize FPGA-based RF processing pipeline for real-time wireless/RF sensing applications

Location: San Jose, California

Compensation: $173,000 - 196,000 USD / year

About The Role

FPGA RF Signal Processing Engineer

Muon Space seeks a talented FPGA Engineer with RF processing expertise to join our High Performance Compute (HPC) team. In this role, you will implement HDL/RTL for digital signal processing of RF systems on FPGAs, and design and optimize these algorithms. You'll work at the intersection of RF theory, algorithm development, software defined radio (SDR), and high performance digital FPGA design to deliver high-performance wireless communication and RF sensing products. If you thrive on complex challenges in a dynamic startup environment and want to build the future of Earth observation, we want to hear from you.

This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in our San Jose, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Implement and optimize RF processing algorithms on FPGAs for real-time execution; support algorithm prototyping and modelling and porting to ARM FPGA-SoCs
• Design, simulate, implement and integrate DSP and modulation algorithms for RF applications (Communications, ESM, Radar, etc.)
• Collaborate with RF hardware engineers on communications and instrument bring-up, calibration routines, and system integration, and team up with other software departments
• Author technical documentation, design specifications, and test reports

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
• 3+ years of professional experience in FPGA development of RF algorithms and translating prototype algorithms into FPGA implementations
• Experience with general RF digital signal processing techniques in some of the following areas: spectrum monitoring, signal intelligence, modulation/demodulation, filtering, channel estimation, equalization, synchronization, AGC, DPD, etc.
• Profound expertise in RTL/HDL (Verilog / System Verilog / VHDL) and FPGA system architecture and design flows
• Ability to work with a distributed, interdisciplinary team (scientists, engineers, data support, etc.)
• Familiarity with modern software development tooling and best practices
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Active clearance is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in systems analysis, troubleshooting and design, with a strong understanding of the interplays between hardware and software
• Experience working with a distributed team of developers across multiple groups and departments
• Familiarity with Xilinx/AMD RFSoC or MPSoC
• Proficiency in C/C++ or Rust for embedded and real-time systems
• Experience with Python-based development and analysis
• Familiarity with FPGA-based DSP techniques
  • DPD (Digital Predistortion), beamforming, MIMO, or radar signal processing
  • Communications: Modulation schemes (QAM, OFDM, FSK), channel coding, multirate signal processing, and adaptive filtering
  • RF concepts: mixers, PLLs, ADCs/DACs, IQ imbalance, frequency planning, link budgets
  • Calibration algorithms (DC offset, IQ correction, LO leakage)
• Experience working on space-based applications
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines for embedded firmware
• Proficient with version control (Git), debugging tools (JTAG, GDB), and lab instrumentation

What You'll Bring

• A systems-level mindset that connects RF physics, DSP mathematics, and FPGA implementation
• Strong analytical and debugging skills for solving RF/FPGA hardware bugsAbility to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Salary

The salary range for this role is $173,000 - $196,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process.

About Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission‑critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time‑to‑orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world.

Taking Care of Our Team

At Muon salary is only part of our total compensation package. In addition to salary, full‑time employees receive equity compensation as well as benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k retirement plan, short & long term disability and life insurance. We also offer three weeks paid vacation for new employees, along with 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time and paid parental leave.

Our mission embraces the entire planet and we believe our team should too. Muon is dedicated to creating a diverse and dynamic company and workforce. We believe in equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value diversity in the workplace, and that starts with our applicants. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't check all the boxes, and we look forward to reviewing your application! In addition, if you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.

ITAR/EAR Requirements

This position requires access to export controlled information. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations applicable to that information, applicant must either be (A) a U.S. person, defined as a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, (B) eligible to access the export controlled information without a required export authorization, or (C) eligible and reasonably likely to obtain the required export authorization from the applicable U.S. government agency. The Company may, for legitimate business reasons, decline to pursue any export licensing process.