Senior DSP Engineer, Remote with Travel

Fairwinds Technologies

Senior DSP Engineer developing RF communication solutions for military applications at Fairwinds Technologies. Involves technical leadership, algorithm design, and cross-functional collaboration with embedded and RF teams.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeRemote • Florida, Maryland, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $175,000 - $200,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, develop, and optimize DSP algorithms for RF communications signals, including waveform processing in contested and dynamic environments (e.g., filtering, synchronization, channelization, detection/estimation, demodulation/decoding, interference mitigation).
Lead algorithm development from concept through prototype to implementation, balancing performance, latency, robustness, and computational constraints.
Implement and validate DSP solutions on heterogeneous compute platforms including Xilinx RFSoC, UltraScale+, and Versal, leveraging PL/PS resources and hardware acceleration as appropriate.
Collaborate with FPGA engineers to translate algorithms into hardware-realizable architectures (fixed-point design, throughput/latency optimization, resource trade studies, hardware-friendly formulations).
Work closely with embedded software engineers to integrate real-time DSP pipelines (drivers, data movement, DMA, streaming interfaces, buffering strategies, runtime configuration).
Develop and execute test/verification strategies using lab instrumentation and captured RF datasets; characterize performance under impairments (CFO/phase noise, multipath, fading, interference/jamming, nonlinearities).
Develop simulation and analysis environments (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python) and correlate simulation results to hardware/field behavior.
Provide technical leadership: define architecture, conduct design reviews, mentor engineers, and communicate trade-offs clearly to stakeholders.
Produce high-quality documentation (DSP design descriptions, algorithm specs, performance reports, ICD inputs, SBIR deliverables as required).
Support integration, debug, and field test activities spanning DSP, RF, FPGA, and embedded software domains.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field.
15+ years of relevant DSP engineering experience with demonstrated delivery of RF communications signal processing solutions.
Proven practical experience processing RF communications signals (beyond academic examples), including development, validation, and performance characterization.
Strong fundamentals in communications and statistical signal processing (detection/estimation, synchronization, spectral analysis, filtering, modulation/demodulation concepts).
Experience implementing DSP on embedded/real-time systems and/or hardware-accelerated platforms, including Xilinx UltraScale+, RFSoC, and Versal.
Ability to simulate and/or model DSP algorithms in a suitable environment (MATLAB, Modelsim, etc.), with the ability to define or implement fixed-point functions, where applicable.
Demonstrated ability to create innovative DSP approaches when standard methods are insufficient—creative problem solver with strong analytical rigor.
Proficiency in at least one of: Python, C/C++, HDL (VHDL or Verilog), MATLAB (or equivalent), with disciplined software engineering practices.
Experience working with cross-functional teams (RF, FPGA, embedded, systems) to deliver complete system solutions.
U.S. Citizenship and an active DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance (or ability to obtain).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Flexible work arrangements
Professional development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

DSP algorithmsRF communicationswaveform processingfilteringsynchronizationchannelizationdetection/estimationdemodulation/decodinginterference mitigationstatistical signal processing

Soft Skills

technical leadershipmentoringproblem solvinganalytical skillscommunication

Certifications

Master’s degreePhDDoD Secret security clearance