Senior DSP Engineer

Senior DSP Engineer Alethia Software Colorado Springs, CO Job Details Full-time | Contract $125,511.55

• $180,067.

67 a year 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off 401(k) matching Flexible schedule Retirement plan Qualifications Application Integration Top Secret Clearance Satellite communications Software design Signal processing C# System design Analysis skills C++ Telecommunications RF engineering Algorithm design Telecommunication Digital signal processors (DSPs) Metadata Data visualization Real-time data processing implementation Senior level Multithreading Python Debugging Full Job Description Senior

RF / DSP

Engineer

• SATCOM Signal Processing & Analysis Position Overview We are seeking a Senior

RF / DSP

Engineer to design and implement a SATCOM signal monitoring and characterization system capable of ingesting wideband RF data (via DIFI/VITA-49 or equivalent), detecting and tracking multiple signals, and deriving real-time and on-demand signal metrics. This role focuses on applied communications signal processing , not purely theoretical DSP. The engineer will work on a system supporting SATCOM test and training environments , including signal monitoring, interference analysis, and operator-driven analysis workflows. The system operates on wideband inputs (up to 128 MHz instantaneous bandwidth per channel) and must handle multiple simultaneous carriers , including both fixed and dynamic signals. Key Responsibilities 1. RF Signal Processing Pipeline Development Design and implement a real-time DSP pipeline for: Wideband IQ ingest (DIFI / VITA-49 or equivalent) FFT-based spectral analysis Signal detection and segmentation Develop efficient processing for multi-signal environments Handle real-world impairments: Noise floor variation Adjacent/co-channel interference Frequency drift and hopping signals 2. Signal Detection, Identification & Tracking Implement algorithms to: Detect signals within wideband spectrum

Estimate:

Center frequency Bandwidth Power Track signals over time with persistent identity Support both: Automatic detection User-assisted refinement

Handle:

Fixed carriers Dynamic / frequency-varying signals 3. Signal Characterization (Constrained Modulation Set) Develop and integrate methods to estimate: Modulation type (limited to):

BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16PSK/QAM

Symbol rate EVM (Error Vector Magnitude) Eb/N0 (Energy per bit to noise density) Approach may include: Feature-based classification Use of existing DSP libraries (e.g., GNU Radio, liquid-dsp) Partial demodulation techniques (not necessarily full modem implementation) 4. Interference Analysis (ISR) Implement Interference-to-Signal Ratio (ISR) estimation Perform signal excision using band-stop filtering (prototype level) Estimate residual interference power after excision Support per-signal ISR calculations 5. Integration with Modem / External Metadata Interface with systems such as Viasat CBM-400 modem Ingest and interpret metadata including: Demod lock/unlock status Frame sync status BER indicators Combine external metadata with DSP-derived metrics 6. Visualization & Operator Tools Support development of (but not directly implement): Real-time spectrum displays Multi-signal overlays Time-frequency visualizations

Enable:

Operator-driven analysis workflows Selection and inspection of individual signals 7. Recording, Playback & Data Handling Implement support for: IQ data recording (continuous and/or triggered) Playback for analysis and debugging Ensure time synchronization of recorded data streams 8. System Performance & Optimization Optimize for: Real-time processing High-throughput data handling Work within constraints of: CPU-based systems (GPU optional depending on architecture) Ensure stable performance under: Multi-signal load conditions Wideband input streams Required Technical Skills RF / Communications Fundamentals Strong understanding of: Digital communications systems Modulation schemes:

BPSK, QPSK, PSK, QAM

Signal-to-noise metrics (C/N, Eb/N0) Interference types (co-channel, adjacent channel) Experience with: SATCOM systems preferred Wideband RF analysis Digital Signal Processing Practical experience implementing: FFT / spectral analysis Filtering (FIR/IIR, band-pass, notch) Signal detection techniques (thresholding, peak detection) Familiarity with: Symbol rate estimation techniques Constellation analysis (EVM) Experience working with IQ data streams Software Development Strong programming skills in at least one: C++ Python C# (.NET experience is a plus) Experience with: Real-time or near-real-time processing systems Multi-threaded or high-performance systems Familiarity with DSP frameworks: GNU Radio (preferred) liquid-dsp or similar libraries Data Interfaces & Systems Experience with: Network-based data ingest (UDP/TCP streams) Binary data parsing (e.g., DIFI, VITA-49, or similar) Ability to integrate with external systems and APIs Preferred / Highly Valuable Experience SATCOM waveform familiarity:

DVB-S / DVB-S2 / ACM

Forward Error Correction (FEC): Reed-Solomon Viterbi Turbo codes Experience with: RF test systems Spectrum monitoring tools Software-defined radio (SDR) platforms Familiarity with: WCDMA or spread-spectrum systems (helpful but not required) What This Role Does NOT Require (Important for Candidate Fit) You are NOT required to build a full modem from scratch You are NOT required to implement full FEC decoding chains You are NOT expected to perform cutting-edge research in blind signal classification This is primarily: Applied DSP + system integration + practical signal analysis Success Profile (Self-Assessment Guide) A strong candidate should be able to say: "I have worked with real IQ data , not just theory." "I understand how to go from spectrum → detected signals → metrics." "I have implemented or modified DSP pipelines in a real system." "I am comfortable working with imperfect RF data (noise, interference, drift)." "I can integrate DSP logic with software systems and external interfaces." A candidate may struggle if they: Only have academic DSP experience with no real RF data exposure Have never worked with multi-signal environments Lack familiarity with communications systems (modulation, symbol rates, etc.) Prefer purely algorithmic research over applied engineering Summary This role is best described as: Applied RF/DSP Engineer focused on SATCOM signal monitoring and characterization in a real-time system It sits at the intersection of: RF engineering communications DSP software/system integration Work Style & Flexibility We care about output, not hours. Flexible schedule — work when you're most productive Core collaboration hours: 9:00 AM

• 3:00 PM MST Outside of that, your time is your own Engagement Options We're flexible depending on what you're looking for: Contract (preferred by many candidates) Full-time For contract roles: Flexible weekly hours Long-term engagement potential Competitive hourly rates CompensationContract Typically $100
• $130/hour , depending on experience and fit Full-Time Typically $135k
• $180k base salary

Pay:

$125,511.55

• $180,067.

67 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan

Experience:

DSP:

5 years (Required)

RF Engineering:

5 years (Preferred) Security clearance: Top Secret (Preferred)

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Colorado Springs, CO 80915