Senior Embedded Software Engineer, DSP

OceanComm, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary and stock options

20 days paid vacation

Flexible schedule

Professional development support

Job summary

OceanComm, Inc. in Chicago is seeking an experienced engineer for its embedded DSP team. The role involves developing and maintaining real-time embedded C/C++ code for acoustic modem firmware, providing technical leadership, and optimizing processing algorithms. Ideal candidates have strong DSP and embedded systems knowledge, coupled with solid communication skills.

You will benefit from competitive salary, flexible schedules, mentorship, and professional development support. Join us in transforming underwater communication!

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience developing embedded real-time systems.
• Solid knowledge of linear algebra and signal processing theory.
• Experience drafting technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain real-time embedded C/C++ code for core components.
• Provide technical leadership through exemplary code and design judgment.
• Collaborate with teams to define interfaces and verify system performance.

Skills

Real-time embedded C/C++ development

DSP software for real-time systems

Strong communication skills

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Signal processing algorithms

Technical documentation

Job description

Underwater communication is one of the hardest wireless problems on Earth. Radio waves attenuate quickly underwater, so our systems use sound, much like whales and dolphins, to transmit high‑bandwidth data, including video. We are looking for engineers excited by challenging embedded DSP problems where algorithms, firmware, electronics, mechanics, and real‑world operating conditions all have to work together.

This is a high‑ownership role on a small, quickly growing team. You will not be one engineer among hundreds working on a narrow subsystem; you will have direct visibility into the full product, from modem firmware and acoustic signal processing to undersea drones and customer deployments.

About Us

Underwater, the wireless transfer of a single picture used to take an hour. OceanComm brought to market wireless modems that transfer data 100 to 1,000 times faster. Legacy modems were largely status and command links; our modems can control undersea drones with live video feedback, fundamentally changing what operators can see, decide, and do underwater. Leading organizations in defense, offshore energy and oceanographic research rely on OceanComm to keep their undersea systems connected.

What You Will Do

• Develop and maintain real‑time embedded C/C++ code for core components of OceanComm’s acoustic modem firmware, owning features from concept through deployment
• Provide technical leadership through exemplary code and design judgment that others trust and want to build on
• Implement, optimize, and validate advanced acoustic signal processing algorithms
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, systems, and field teams to define interfaces and verify system performance
• Develop tests, tools, and procedures for firmware validation, hardware bring‑up, production test, troubleshooting, and repair
• Help evaluate tradeoffs in performance, reliability, complexity, schedule, cost, and risk
• Help improve engineering culture, communication, and technical standards as the team grows

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience developing embedded real‑time systems with C/C++
• Proficiency in developing DSP software for real‑time systems
• Solid knowledge of linear algebra, signal processing theory, algorithms, and implementation techniques (filters, transforms, synchronization, estimation, etc.)
• Experience drafting technical documentation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• U.S. Person

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience with underwater acoustic communications, sonar, modem design, SDR, RF communications, or similar signal‑processing systems
• Experience optimizing DSP algorithms for embedded platforms, including fixed‑point, floating‑point, memory, latency, or power constraints
• Experience with machine learning models deployed on embedded platforms
• Experience designing domain‑specific deep neural networks
• Experience with analog and mixed‑signal integrated circuits, e.g., low‑noise amplifiers, analog‑to‑digital converters, and integrated analog‑front‑ends

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and incentive stock options
• Paid vacation starting at 20 days per year, increasing with tenure
• Paid sick leave with carryover
• Flexible schedule with core hours
• Close mentorship from experienced engineers and technical leaders
• Professional development support for conferences, books, courses, or technical training
• Hands‑on work with advanced acoustic, embedded, and undersea robotics hardware

Compensation

The pay range for this position is $140,000 – $175,000 per year. Actual pay will depend on the candidate’s experience and skills demonstrated during interviews and other evaluations.

OceanComm is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vet.