Entry Level DSP & SDR Engineer

Location: Chantilly, VA

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration.   With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions.  Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The Digital Electronics and Electromagnetic Department, a core part of the Communication Systems and Agile Processing sub-division, excels in managing the full communications chain—from RF signals to digital bits. Our expertise encompasses everything from modeling and simulation to RF chain analysis/design and software-defined radio systems. We leverage this deep knowledge to develop satellite payloads, advanced signal collection methods, new modulation schemes, testbed environments, and innovative approaches to antenna design, characterization, and measurement.

We are looking for an DSP & SDR Engineer to join our team and support critical programs that are vital to the success of today's and tomorrow’s space architectures. This position offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading technical experts while providing strategic guidance to both the United States Space Force and the Intelligence Community as they shape the future of the rapidly evolving space sector.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Gain hands-on experience with the department's laboratory infrastructure, including advanced SDR hardware platforms, CI/CD development environments, high performance compute hardware, and RF test and measurement instrumentation

Solve technically challenging problems in the areas of communications, signals collection, data processing, and hardware prototyping

Use your technical abilities and insights to ensure ongoing development programs remain successful and identify areas of improvement for future missions

Support technical studies/analysis/experiments/simulations and be able to document and present findings to a wide audience

Work closely with other subject area experts in cross-organizational teams; participating in interfaces with customers and/or Aerospace program offices.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

What You Need to be Successful - Associate Member of Technical Staff:

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics or related technical discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

0-1 year of industry work experience

Experience with scientific programming using languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C

Exposure to a laboratory environment with common RF test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, etc...

Understanding of basic DSP principles such as modulation, filtering, and sampling with the ability to apply them toward custom algorithms

Willing to travel domestically up to 10% of time.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.  U.S. citizenship is required to obtain this level of security clearance

Transcripts

How You Can Stand Out - Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff:

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

Master's or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics or related technical discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

Active DoD security clearance

Experience working with software defined radios or embedded electronics

Exposure to RF communication system principles, design, and analysis

Demonstrated ability to work independently on relevant high impact tasks

Familiarity with programming and interfacing with linux-based systems including SDRs, FPGAs, laboratory equipment, and other embedded devices for custom applications with real world performance requirements

Experience with utilizing machine learning workflows or HPC hardware for digital signal processing applications

Understanding of computer networking principles and protocols

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max) $90,000.00 - $140,000.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want i