Lead Signal Processing Engineer (Space & Airborne Defense Platforms)
A premier national defense engineering client based in San Diego, California, has partnered exclusively with our specialist recruitment firm to secure a high-caliber Lead Signal Processing Engineer. This permanent role sits within an advanced mission-systems group engineering next-generation space payloads, software-defined electronic warfare suites, and wideband radar solutions. The successful engineer will drive algorithmic concept formulation, mathematical modeling, edge implementation, and end-to-end hardware-in-the-loop validation for mission-critical defense infrastructure.
Southern California Defense & Space Corridor Context
Positioned within San Diego’s established defense ecosystem—neighboring key naval and joint installations including Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Old Town Complex, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and the maritime test ranges off Point Loma—this team delivers advanced sensor processing systems for multi-domain operations. The selected engineer will work on secure development programs interfacing directly with prime space architectures, tactical aerial nodes, and allied sensor platforms operating in severely contested, non-permissive electromagnetic environments.
Core Engineering Responsibilities
The position requires an engineer capable of translating abstract physical phenomena and complex electromagnetic threat environments into robust, deterministic digital signal processing algorithms.
Mathematical Algorithm Design & DSP Pipelines
The engineer leads the formulation of modern estimation, detection, and modulation schemes targeted at cutting-edge communications and radar payloads:
- Architect and validate advanced Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) and Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) beamforming pipelines for phased array apertures.
- Design high-dynamic-range Digital Down-Conversion (DDC), polyphase channelization, matched filtering, and ultra-low-latency pulse compression algorithms.
- Formulate low-probability-of-intercept and low-probability-of-detection (LPI/LPD) waveform architectures alongside non-linear satellite channel equalization routines (Volterra series and neural network-assisted pre-distortion).
- Construct high-fidelity mathematical models using MATLAB, Python, and C++ to simulate bit-true system behavior, phase noise, non-linear amplifier effects, and complex multipath Doppler environments.
Hardware-Targeted Algorithm Acceleration
Bridging the divide between theoretical signal processing and physical hardware execution is critical to mission success.
Silicon Execution & Verification Protocols
The Lead Signal Processing Engineer directly directs the porting and deployment of mathematical pipelines onto heterogeneous compute architectures:
- Optimize fixed-point and floating-point algorithms for ultra-high-throughput deployment across AMD Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC, Versal AI Core, and Intel Stratix 10 devices.
- Collaborate with digital hardware design teams to partition complex mathematical chains between VHDL/Verilog RTL blocks, Vitis High-Level Synthesis (HLS) kernels, and multi-threaded embedded C++ running on real-time operating systems (VxWorks, Linux Real-Time).
- Interface custom digital signal streams with high-speed serial data converters using JESD204B/C, VITA 49 (VRT), and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) technical standard profiles.
Critical Validation Benchmarks
Engineers enforce strict bit-level concordance between high-level MATLAB/Simulink simulations and laboratory digitizer captures across signal-to-noise ratio thresholds down to negative twenty decibels.
Laboratory Instrumentation & Hardware-in-the-Loop Integration
Daily development relies on an exhaustive array of cutting-edge test and measurement instruments. The engineer will:
- Configure and drive high-bandwidth Vector Signal Analyzers (such as Keysight N9040B UXA and Rohde & Schwarz FSW), multi-channel phase-coherent vector signal generators, and real-time wideband oscilloscopes (up to 110 GHz).
- Execute direct radio-frequency sampling characterizations, spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) evaluations, and error vector magnitude (EVM) optimizations across microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies (X, Ku, Ka, and Q/V bands).
- Support live chamber experiments and automated anechoic range testing to verify direction-finding accuracy and cross-eye electronic attack mitigation routines.
Programmatic Stakeholder & Customer Engagement
In addition to technical execution, the engineer acts as a primary technical authority across program milestones:
- Lead technical interchange meetings and present mathematical architecture trade studies during Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) and Critical Design Reviews (CDR) before Department of Defense sponsors and space prime contractors.
- Draft comprehensive algorithm description documents, hardware-software interface control documents, and automated factory acceptance test plans.
- Provide flight-line, shipboard, and launch-range telemetry support during payload integration campaigns and live system operational evaluations.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
Minimum Mandatory Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Physics from an accredited university.
- Minimum of six years of post-graduate professional experience designing and deploying discrete-time signal processing algorithms in defense, aerospace, satellite, or tactical radar environments.
- Demonstrated mastery of MATLAB, Python (NumPy, SciPy, CuPy), and modern C++ (C++17/20) for algorithmic modeling and rapid prototyping.
- Demonstrated track record deploying adaptive filtering, Kalman filtering, spectral estimation, or digital beamforming algorithms onto embedded silicon or SDR platforms.
- Active Department of Defense Secret security clearance with documented eligibility for upgrade to Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
- United States citizenship is strictly required under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Preferred Qualifications & Differentiators
- Master of Science or PhD in Electrical Engineering with an academic focus on statistical signal processing, communication theory, or electromagnetics.
- Direct experience with SOSA-aligned VPX systems, CCSDS satellite telemetry protocols, or DVB-S2X waveform implementations.
- Hands-on background with High-Level Synthesis (Xilinx Vitis HLS), OpenCL, or CUDA programming for multi-channel digital receiver backends.
- Familiarity with electronic support measures, radar warning receivers, or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backprojection image formation algorithms.
- Active Top Secret / SCI clearance with current single-scope background investigation.
Performance Indicators & Long-Term Milestones
The success of the Lead Signal Processing Engineer is measured by rigorous, objective delivery metrics throughout the system engineering lifecycle:
- First Quarter: Complete detailed algorithmic trade study and end-to-end floating-point simulation model for an active wideband digital receiver payload.
- Six Months: Achieve bit-true fixed-point simulation alignment and oversee initial baseband data streaming across high-speed JESD204C converter interfaces in laboratory testbenches.
- Twelve Months: Successfully pass customer Critical Design Review milestones with zero critical requests for action; validate full system dynamic range and beamforming null depth within operational flight hardware.
Compensation, Benefits & Working Structure
This full-time engineering opportunity offers an industry-leading compensation package tailored for specialized talent in the San Diego region:
- Base salary range: $165,000 to $210,000 annually, depending on demonstrated domain depth and security clearance status.
- Performance-driven annual corporate incentive bonus and equity retention schedules.
- Comprehensive healthcare coverage including tier-one medical, dental, and vision packages with extensive dependent coverage.
- Company-matched 401(k) retirement plan with immediate 100% vesting up to six percent of total compensation.
- Flexible 9/80 work schedule providing every other Friday off to support sustainable work-life balance.
- Full relocation assistance package available for qualified out-of-area candidates relocating to the greater San Diego metropolitan area.
Application Process
Interested candidates possessing the required technical background and active clearance credentials are encouraged to submit their formal curriculum vitae through our executive search portal. All candidate discussions and credential reviews are conducted with strict professional confidentiality by our aerospace and defense engineering recruitment specialists.