Senior DSP/SDR Engineer

aero; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 249,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care plans

401(k) Plan with company match

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior DSP/SDR Engineer to support critical space programs at our Chantilly, VA facility. The role involves solving complex problems in communication systems and providing strategic guidance to U.S. government clients.

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of eight years of relevant experience, alongside familiarity with SDRs and RF test equipment. A comprehensive compensation package and various employee benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of relevant experience.
• Experience with SDRs, FPGAs, and RF test equipment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Solve technical challenges in communications and data processing.
• Provide technical consultation and guidance on DSP and SDR issues.
• Conduct technical studies and author report findings.

Skills

Communications signal processing

DSP algorithms

SDR systems

RF test equipment

Cross-organizational teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

FPGA development tools (Vivado, Vitis)

Programming in C/C++

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The Digital Electronics and Electromagnetic Department, a core part of the Communication Systems and Agile Processing sub‑division, excels in managing the full communications chain—from RF signals to digital bits. Our expertise encompasses everything from modeling and simulation to RF chain analysis/design and software‑defined radio systems. We leverage this deep knowledge to develop satellite payloads, advanced signal collection methods, new modulation schemes, testbed environments, and innovative approaches to antenna design, characterization, and measurement.

We’re looking for a Senior DSP/SDR Engineer to join our team and support critical programs that are vital to the success of today and tomorrow’s space architectures. This position offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading technical experts while providing strategic guidance to both the United States Space Force and the Intelligence Community as they shape the future of the rapidly evolving space sector.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on‑site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Solve technically challenging problems in the areas of communications, signals collection, and data processing.

• Use your technical abilities and insights to ensure ongoing development programs remain successful and to influence future missions.

• Apply DSP and SDR subject matter expertise to provide technical consultation and guidance to management, customers, and contractors, proactively surfacing technical issues and opportunities with actionable recommendations.

• Independently conduct technical studies, analysis, experiments, simulations and author report findings.

• Leverage the department’s laboratory infrastructure, including advanced SDR hardware platforms, FPGA development toolchains, and RF test and measurement instrumentation, to develop prototypes, conduct tests, and perform experiments.

• Lead cross‑organizational teams, organize interfaces with customers and/or Aerospace program offices. May bring in tasks and projects beyond personal activities from internal and external sources.

• Act as the organization’s designated representative at technical meetings, presentations, and symposia.

• Willingness to travel up to 10% of time.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.

• Minimum of eight years of relevant experience in progressively more responsible roles.

• Experience in a laboratory environment working with SDRs or FPGAs, and associated RF test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and vector signal generators.

• Experience developing and implementing DSP algorithms in embedded environments for deliverable systems on either CPU or FPGA‑based platforms.

• Experience working with customers and on multi‑disciplined teams.

• Willing to travel domestically up to 10% of time.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain this level of security clearance.

Additional Requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist

• Minimum of twelve years of relevant experience in progressively more responsible roles.

• Demonstrated ability to architect and implement digital processing and SDR system solutions in embedded environments for deliverable systems.

• Experience leading development projects and mentoring junior staff.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline from an accredited university.

• Familiarity with FPGA development workflow tools including Vivado, Vitis, or ModelSim.

• Proficiency in programming and interfacing with SDRs and laboratory equipment using GnuRadio, XMidas, GPIB, or programming in C/C++ for custom applications.

• Experience working with experts in the fields of antenna systems, RF systems, SIGINT processing, communications systems and hardware prototyping.

• Experience with Linux‑based DSP systems that span across CPUs, FPGAs, GPUs, and SDR platforms.

• Strong background in scientific programming using languages such as MATLAB, C, C++, Fortran, Julia, or Python.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade‑based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min – Max) $129,000.00 – $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan – Employees receive a company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.