Senior Digital Signal Processing Systems Engineer

draper; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Senior Digital Signal Processing System Engineer to design RF/communications systems, develop DSP algorithms, and deliver high‑performance solutions for demanding mission programs.

The role is onsite at our Cambridge facility; it involves hands‑on work from concept to prototype, testing, integration, and customer demonstrations, requiring 5–10 years DSP experience and a BS in electrical engineering (advanced degree preferred).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Advanced degrees preferred for higher responsibilities.
• Experience in DSP system design and field testing.

Responsibilities

• Design RF and communications systems for high-performance needs.
• Lead complex engineering projects in fast-paced environments.
• Mentor teammates and contribute to proposals and business development.
• Collaborate with sponsors and customers on requirements and demonstrations.

Skills

DSP algorithm design

FIR filter design

Adaptive filtering

Channel estimation

LMS/MMSE estimators

MIMO/OFDM

RF systems knowledge

MATLAB/Python

FPGA/C implementation

Test instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

FPGAs

GPUs

Software defined radios

Test instrumentation

Job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com .

Job Description Summary:

As a Senior Digital Signal Processing System Engineer you will support programs to create innovative, multidisciplinary technical solutions, for a broad range of highly-complicated mission needs. You will participate in hands‑on engagement with concept and prototype development, which may include software or firmware coding, test equipment operation, support of system integration, field tests and customer demonstrations.

Due to the nature of our customers' missions, this position is necessarily performed onsite in our recently‑renovated Cambridge facility and laboratories. Typical candidates have 1-5 years of relevant DSP experience and a DSP-focused Master's thesis.

Aligned with our goal of developing long-term relationships with Draper staff, we offer the best benefits package and retirement plan in our industry.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Design waveforms and algorithms suited for high performance applications
• Support signal processing areas of complex engineering projects in a fast‑paced environment
• Develop and maintain expertise in telecommunications technology and network architectures
• Use standard laboratory instrumentation for validation and troubleshooting
• Perform analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency systems and algorithms
• Provide DSP insight and suggest associated algorithms based on analysis outcomes
• Demonstrates strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals
• Supports business development activities including development of proposals and engaging with sponsors

Skills/Abilities:

• DSP algorithm design and implementation (e.g. FIR filter design, adaptive filtering, channel equalization, application of LMS, Maximum Likelihood and MMSE estimators, multirate signal processing)
• Statistical channel detection/estimation
• Neyman-Pearson detectors and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves
• Experience with wireless communications (4G/5G, MIMO, OFDM)
• Knowledge of RF systems and architecture
• Experience with signal link budget hand calculations
• Experience with embedded software for FPGAs and GPUs
• Hands‑on experience with test equipment for RF measurements
• FPGA, GPU, or C implementation of signal processing algorithms
• Experience programming and utilization of software defined radios
• Very experienced using Matlab and/or python for DSP signal analysis
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative team environment
• Excellent self-management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details

Job Description:

• Designs RF and Communications systems that solve challenging problems.
• Manages complex engineering projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Develops and maintains effective internal/external relationships.
• Drives solutions to complex problems with limited direction-contributes to requirements development, proposes ways forward, and adapts appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Performs analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency or communications systems.
• Contributes to customer presentations.
• Able to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines.
• Identifies program/system-level technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentors less experienced teammates and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Ability to lead a cross functional team.
• Involved in business development and proposal activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of RF systems and architectures.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of electrical engineering.
• Skills with RF and Communications software tools.
• Hands on experience with instrumentation for RF measurement.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willing to work in highly collaborative team environment.
• Excellent management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details.

Education:

Requires bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

Requires 5-10 years experience in