Senior SDR Engineer - Real-Time RF & USRP

NCSL International; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

NCSL International is seeking an experienced SDR software engineer in Arlington, VA to design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware. You will build high-performance C++ applications with UHD, implement real-time DSP, and optimize RF streaming and waveform generation.

Collaboration with FPGA teams and field testing are part of this role. The candidate will work on spectral analysis, timing synchronization, and high-throughput pipelines, and contribute to RF front end

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience with Ettus Research USRP platforms (X310/X410, N320/N321, X440, B-Series).
• Strong proficiency in Modern C++, Python, Linux systems programming with performance optimization.
• Experience deploying systems with Linux, UHD API, real-time streaming, high-rate packet processing, and socket programming.
• Experience with RF fundamentals, wireless communications, IQ signal processing, and digital modulation techniques.
• Experience with OFDM, QPSK/QAM, channel estimation, synchronization algorithms, FFT pipelines, adaptive filtering, and signal detection/classification.
• Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware.
• Develop high-performance SDR applications using C++ and UHD.
• Implement and optimize real-time DSP pipelines, custom waveform generation, modulation/demodulation chains, and RF streaming architectures.
• Interface with FPGA-based SDR architectures, high-speed Ethernet, RF front ends, and synchronization systems.
• Develop software for low-latency and real-time RF applications; perform integration, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Analyze and optimize spectral performance, timing synchronization, throughput, and RF impairments.
• Integrate SDR platforms into larger communications, sensing, or EW architectures; produce technical docs and interface definitions.
• Support lab and field testing activities, travel up to 15%.

Skills

Modern C++

Python

Linux systems programming

Multithreaded software

Real-time streaming systems

RF/IQ signal processing

OFDM/QAM

Socket programming

Performance optimization

UHD API

Ettus USRP platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Related technical discipline

Tools

Ettus USRP platforms

UHD API

Xilinx Vivado

Verilog/VHDL

RFNoC

Job description

NCSL International is seeking an experienced SDR software engineer in Arlington, VA to design, develop, and deploy advanced SDR systems using Ettus USRP hardware. You will build high-performance C++ applications with UHD, implement real-time DSP, and optimize RF streaming and waveform generation.

Collaboration with FPGA teams and field testing are part of this role. The candidate will work on spectral analysis, timing synchronization, and high-throughput pipelines, and contribute to RF front end