Senior DSP Software Engineer

BrightHire Search Partners; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BrightHire Search Partners is looking for a Senior DSP Software Engineer to join a small embedded team in Fremont, California. The role focuses on developing software for advanced spectrum monitoring solutions that serve defense applications and commercial organizations.

The ideal candidate will have extensive C++ experience, a solid understanding of RF fundamentals, and the ability to bridge software and hardware domains. This is a senior role with opportunities for architecture involvement and development across various hardware platforms.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in C++ for Linux and Windows.
• Strong mathematical aptitude and quick learner.
• Ability to bridge domains between software and hardware.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technical leadership to implement requirements.
• Maintain a mixed C++ codebase on Linux and Windows.
• Bridge FPGA/hardware interfaces with middleware.

Skills

C++ proficiency

RF/spectrum fundamentals knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

Master's in Electrical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a Senior DSP Software Engineer to join a small, high-impact embedded software team at a product development company specializing in advanced spectrum monitoring solutions. These platforms serve both defense applications and commercial spectrum monitoring and transmitting organizations.

This role bridges RF/spectrum domain knowledge with C++ software development on a custom SDR platform. The platform combines Linux-based low-level code and leverages significant FPGA offload (Xilinx UltraScale+). This is a hands‑on senior role with opportunities for architecture input, platform‑level development across hardware variants, and direct collaboration with technical leadership.

About the Team & Environment

• Small embedded team (currently 5 engineers; this hire makes 6).
• Product‑focused company that owns its own IP.
• Platform mix: Linux (core/low‑level) + Windows (middleware & applications), with high‑speed 10 Gbps data links from SDR/FPGA to PC.
• New development emphasizes the Linux platform; legacy Windows support continues.
• Strong emphasis on cross‑domain collaboration between FPGA, software, and application teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with technical leadership to translate high‑level requirements into robust implementations.
• Maintain and enhance a large, mixed legacy + new C++ codebase (Linux and Windows).
• Bridge FPGA/hardware interfaces with higher‑layer middleware and applications.
• Contribute to spectrum/signal processing workflows, including receiver chains.
• Develop platform‑level software supporting multiple hardware variants and applications.
• Build internal test GUIs and tools (limited full application development).
• Provide senior‑level architecture and design input while remaining hands‑on with coding and debugging.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 6+ Years of Strong production C++ experience: proven ability to maintain and enhance large, legacy codebases across Linux and Windows environments.
• Solid understanding of RF/spectrum fundamentals, including receiver chains, Digital Down Converters (DDC), ADC metrics/quality, and related signal processing concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge domains: interface software with FPGA/hardware (without writing FPGA code) and connect to higher‑layer applications.
• Strong analytical and mathematical aptitude; quick learner comfortable leveraging AI tools for productivity.
• Educational background in Electrical Engineering (EE) preferred (Master’s ideal); Physics or Computer Engineering.
• ITAR/government‑related work, so no sponsorship available