R&D Engineer: Signal Processing Engineer

Penn State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks analytical engineers in the SSO Division for advanced signal processing and communications system development. This role involves research, design, integration, and testing across DoD-aligned projects and field tests, with travel to various sponsor locations.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, prototype-to-deployment work, and the ability to translate MATLAB algorithms to near-real-time C++ implementations.

Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of electrical engineering principles related to communications and signal processing.
• Knowledge of beam-forming and ambiguity function processing.
• Familiarity with time-, frequency-, and amplitude/phase-difference of arrival for geolocation.
• Understanding of adaptive signal processing methods (Kalman, Wiener, RMS, LMS).
• DSP techniques for tuning, filtering, and sampling RF signals.
• Experience in SDR IQ data processing and acquisition.
• Software algorithm design and implementation in C/C++, MATLAB, Python.
• Data analysis, statistics, probability, and machine learning applied to IQ signals.
• Sensor design and/or evaluation of sensor data.
• Handling noisy datasets and implementing noise reduction techniques.
• Familiarity with Nyquist sampling theory and signal processing concepts.
• Experience or familiarity with statistical signal processing.
• Field test experience in data evaluation and RF troubleshooting.
• Ability to simulate signal processing block-diagrams and prototype design.
• Converting prototype algorithms from MATLAB to C++ for real-time processing.
• Experience with time or frequency domain datasets.
• Understanding of OSI stack and UDP/TCP/IP protocols.
• Familiarity with 4G/5G cellular, WiFi (802.11), BLE (802.15).
• Troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply signal processing and communications expertise to programs with national or international impact.
• Ensure technical excellence and on-time completion of project tasks.
• Develop and deliver clear program status updates to Fleet-level personnel.
• Interact and collaborate with the engineering team, sponsors, and stakeholders.
• Contribute as a key member of a multi-disciplinary engineering team.

Skills

Signal processing

Kalman filter

LMS

SDR IQ processing

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Data analysis

Machine learning

Geolocation methods

DSP techniques

Noise reduction

Algorithm design

OSi networking UDP/TCP/IP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in a related field

PhD in a related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Your working location will be fully on-site in State College, PA, but options exist for limited hybrid of on-site/work from home, based on project-dependent ability. This role requires frequent travel to designated sponsor or associate contractor and second party locations within and outside the continental United States.

Position specifics

We are searching for analytical engineers with signal processing skills to join the Strategic Systems Operation (SSO) Division within the Information Advantage Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This role will focus on research, design, development, integration, and testing of advanced signal processing and communications systems.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Apply your expertise in signal processing and communications to contribute to programs of national or international impact by identifying emerging challenges, research trends, and future opportunities
• Ensure technical excellence and on-time completion of all project tasks
• Develop and deliver clear updates on program status to Fleet-level personnel at both individual and community meetings
• Interact and collaborate regularly with the engineering team, principal investigator, sponsors, and other stakeholders
• Embrace ARL's mission to discover, demonstrate, transition, and educate while contributing as a key member of a multi-disciplinary engineering team

Required Skills/Experience areas include:

• Advanced understanding of electrical engineering principles associated with communications and signal processing
• Knowledge of beam-forming and ambiguity function processing
• Familiarity with time-, frequency-, and amplitude/phase-difference of arrival for geolocation
• Understanding of adaptive signal processing methods and techniques (Kalman, Wiener, RMS, LMS, etc.)
• Acquaintance with digital signal processing techniques used for tuning, filtering, and sampling RF signals
• Experience in software-defined radio IQ data processing and acquisition
• Working experience in algorithm design and implementation in software (e.g. C/C++, MATLAB, python, etc.)
• Understanding of data analysis, statistics, probability, and machine learning applied to IQ signals
• Experience in sensor design and/or evaluation of sensor data
• Working experience in noisy datasets and integrating noise reduction techniques/methods
• Familiarity with analog and digital conversions along with Nyquist sampling theory
• Experience or familiarity with statistical signal processing
• Field test experience in data evaluation and RF troubleshooting
• Familiarity with simulating signal processing block-diagrams and prototype design
• Proficiency with converting prototype algorithms from baseline software in MATLAB for near-real time or post-time processing in C++
• Experience with time or frequency domain datasets
• An understanding of communications protocols - OSI stack, UDP/TCP/IP
• Familiarity with wireless specifications such as cellular(4G/5G)/WiFi (802.11)/BLE(802.15)
• Troubleshooting experience

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
• Demonstrated capacity to balance detail-oriented thinking while maintaining the ability to see the "big picture"
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility to the TS/SCI level
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

If filled as R&D Engineer - Signal Processing (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications: None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Signal Processing (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 2+ years of relevant experience
• Required Certifications: None