Senior Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer – Radar/RF

Ignite IT, LLC; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ignite IT, LLC is seeking a Senior Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer for radar/RF applications in Dayton, Ohio. The role requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and a strong background in DSP, MATLAB, and software languages (C/C++, Python) for real-time mission-critical systems.

You will work with a cross-functional team on radar, RF, EW, SDR, image processing, and AI/ML projects, developing and prototyping algorithms for DSP in MATLAB and other languages while contributing to

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
• U.S. Citizenship
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong background in Digital Signal Processing
• Proficiency with MATLAB, particularly for DSP algorithm development

Responsibilities

• Develop, model, analyze, and evaluate advanced digital signal-processing algorithms
• Perform signal processing in both the time and frequency domains
• Support radar, RF, electronic warfare, and software-defined radio (SDR) applications
• Develop and prototype algorithms using MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python
• Analyze digital communication systems, modulation techniques, and RF signal-processing chains
• Support detection, classification, source separation, denoising, and anomaly-detection applications
• Apply AI/ML techniques to signal and image-processing challenges
• Support implementation and optimization of algorithms for real-time processing environments
• Collaborate with engineers across RF, software, digital hardware, FPGA, and related disciplines
• Provide technical leadership and communicate technical findings to engineering teams and stakeholders

Skills

MATLAB for DSP

C/C++

Python

Linux/UNIX

DSP algorithms

FPGA development

CUDA/OpenCL

Education

Bachelors in Electrical/Computing Engineering

Masters in Electrical/Computing Engineering

PhD in Electrical/Computing Engineering

Tools

ModelSim

Questa

Xilinx/Intel FPGAs

MATLAB

CUDA

Job description

Senior Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer – Radar/RF

Location: Dayton, OH

Clearance: Active Top Secret/SCI

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Aerospace & Defense

Job Description

TEKsystems is partnering with an Aerospace and Defense client seeking an experienced Senior Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer to support the development of advanced signal-processing technologies for mission-critical defense applications.

This engineer will work alongside a highly technical, cross-functional team developing and evaluating cutting-edge algorithms for radar, RF, electronic warfare, software-defined radio, image processing, and AI/ML applications. The ideal candidate has strong experience developing DSP algorithms in MATLAB and additional programming experience with C/C++ and/or Python.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced cleared engineer interested in solving complex signal-processing problems and working with advanced technologies supporting critical national defense missions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, model, analyze, and evaluate advanced digital signal-processing algorithms
• Perform signal processing in both the time and frequency domains
• Support radar, RF, electronic warfare, and software-defined radio (SDR) applications
• Develop and prototype algorithms using MATLAB, C/C++, and/or Python
• Analyze digital communication systems, modulation techniques, and RF signal-processing chains
• Support detection, classification, source separation, denoising, and anomaly-detection applications
• Apply AI/ML techniques to signal and image-processing challenges
• Support implementation and optimization of algorithms for real-time processing environments
• Collaborate with engineers across RF, software, digital hardware, FPGA, and related disciplines
• Provide technical leadership and communicate technical findings to engineering teams and stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
• U.S. Citizenship
• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Strong background in Digital Signal Processing
• Proficiency with MATLAB, particularly for DSP algorithm development

Experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Embedded software
• AI/ML
• FPGA development
• Understanding of digital communications and RF signal-processing concepts

Highly Desired Experience

Experience in one or more of the following is highly valuable:

• Radar signal processing
• SAR / ISAR
• Electronic Warfare (EW)
• LPI/LPD waveforms
• Software Defined Radios (SDR)
• RF signal processing
• Image processing
• AI/ML applied to signal processing
• Deep learning, transformer, or reinforcement-learning models
• Signal classification, denoising, source separation, or anomaly detection
• C/C++ and Python
• Linux/UNIX development environments
• Embedded development using SoCs or DSPs
• Real-time GPU processing using CUDA, OpenCL, or Vulkan
• FPGA development for low-SWaP systems
• VHDL or Verilog
• Xilinx, Intel/Altera, or Microsemi FPGAs
• Questa or ModelSim
• Technical leadership experience

Experience

Candidates should meet one of the following experience combinations:

• Bachelor's degree + 8 years of relevant experience
• Master's degree + 6 years of relevant experience
• PhD + 4 years of relevant experience

Why This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to work on advanced defense technologies involving radar, electronic warfare, RF systems, DSP, AI/ML, FPGA, and embedded processing. You'll contribute to challenging technical problems alongside experienced engineers developing next-generation capabilities for ground, air, and space applications.