R&D Engineer: Signal Processing Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in State College, PA seeks analytical engineers with signal processing expertise to join the Strategic Systems Operation Division. The role focuses on research, design, development, integration, and testing of advanced signal processing and communications systems, with on-site work and limited hybrid options.

Ideal candidates will have strong background in Kalman/Wiener/LMS adaptive processing and experience converting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science.
• Experience with signal processing and communications.
• Knowledge of Kalman/Wiener/LMS adaptive processing.
• Experience in software design and implementation (C/C++, MATLAB, Python).
• Familiarity with OSI/UDP/TCP/IP and wireless standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test signal processing and communications systems.
• Collaborate with sponsors, engineers, and researchers on projects.
• Provide updates on program status at meetings.
• Ensure on-time completion and technical excellence.

Skills

Signal processing

Beamforming

Geolocation

Adaptive filtering

RF signals

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

OSI/TCP/IP

Wireless 4G/5G

Education

Electrical Engineering

Computer Science

Computer Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

SDR IQ processing

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

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. 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
• 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”

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:

• 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) - Principal Professional, this position requires:

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 19+ years of relevant experience

Required Certifications: None

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

• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 14+ years of relevant experience

Required Certifications: None

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $140,004.00 - $265,704.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.