Senior Uplink Systems Software Engineer (Real-Time)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 171,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a Software Engineer (Uplinks Systems) to develop and maintain real-time uplink software interfacing with FPGA hardware and SDRs for DSN command and tracking. You will lead a small team, own hardware/software boundaries, and ensure data integrity across high-rate paths.

The role emphasizes signal processing, timing, verification strategy, and lab-field testing with occasional travel to DSN complexes; strong C++/Python skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Requires 9+ years of related work experience or 7+ with a Master’s, or 5+ with a PhD.
• 2+ years of experience leading software teams or technical leadership.
• Strong C++ and Python proficiency.
• Experience interfacing software with hardware (FPGA-based systems).
• Experience with high-rate data transport over PCIe or Ethernet.
• Experience with signal processing algorithms in production software.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, test, and ship iterations of the uplink software package.
• Lead and mentor a small team of software and test engineers.
• Own the software side of the interface to FPGA and mixed-signal hardware.
• Develop and maintain signal processing capabilities for uplink using SDRs.
• Architect and maintain high-rate data paths between hardware and software.
• Define the verification strategy and build automated tests.
• Maintain software release schedule balancing milestones.
• Make technical architecture decisions and defend them to stakeholders.
• Present updates to program leadership in reviews.
• Collaborate across internal interfaces to subsystems and external users.
• Perform hands-on testing in lab and field.
• Work with DSN complexes (USA, Spain, Australia).
• Travel occasionally (<5%).

Skills

C++

Python

FPGA

Signal processing

Team leadership

Hardware interface

PCIe

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Master's degree in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

USRP UHD

RFNoC

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a Software Engineer (Uplinks Systems) to develop and maintain real-time uplink software interfacing with FPGA hardware and SDRs for DSN command and tracking. You will lead a small team, own hardware/software boundaries, and ensure data integrity across high-rate paths.

The role emphasizes signal processing, timing, verification strategy, and lab-field testing with occasional travel to DSN complexes; strong C++/Python skills are essential.