Job Description

Project/Unit Description:

The Information and Communications Laboratory (ICL) Communications Systems and Spectrum Division (CSSD) Advanced Communication Systems Branch (ACSB) is looking for Signal Processing Engineers who are eager and capable to research and develop future technology platforms supporting innovative adaptive communications and broad range spectrum-sensing systems and are looking for a dynamic and challenging work environment.

The Division's projects fuse advanced signal processing, adaptive communications, advanced algorithms, and machine learning to research and develop solutions for systems that include adaptive communications, intelligent wideband spectrum sensing, electronic warfare systems, and next-generation wireless network technologies, including 6G/FutureG. The Division supports work across many branches of the Department of War (DoW), including the Army, Navy, and Office of the Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.

The ideal candidate is an experienced Signal Processing Engineer with a diversified background in related domains such as radar, communications, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and/or communications security. Candidates shall have experience with project planning, technical approach development and execution, and demonstrated capabilities to create innovative ideas and progress from concept to prototype. Candidates should have a strong desire to work with other team members to design, implement, test and field innovative communications platforms with signal processing algorithms after performing tradeoff analysis to provide solutions for communications and spectrum sensing problems of interest to the DoW.

As a researcher, the candidate shall develop innovative concepts and areas of research to investigate, and advance. Additionally, the candidate shall contribute to team efforts to propose and shape paths of inquiry, identify target objectives, and define actionable research tasks to drive research pursuits and directions.

Job Purpose:

Develops and/or applies mathematical, statistical, computational, or modeling techniques to generate algorithms for the processing of analog or digital signals, which may be performed in hardware, firmware, or software systems. Development includes implementation of time and frequency signal algorithms, communications and spectrum sensing algorithms, image processing algorithms and/or the application of sensing and perception algorithms in computer vision, lidar, or other sensor processing modalities. Utilizes complex engineering and mathematical principles to compose algorithm structures for problem solutions including the application of filtering and data fusion methods. Applies algorithms to application specific hardware by writing code in assembly language or in a higher level software environment and integrates or interfaces with additional systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform basic signal processing with supervisor direction
• Document work in written and presentation form
• Contribute to algorithm application discussions
• Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, characterize and test leading-edge waveform and communications technologies enabling greater performance while enhancing capabilities through robust, resilient, and secure communications.
• Develop and/or apply mathematical, statistical, computational, or modeling techniques to generate algorithms for the processing of digital or analog signals, which may be performed in hardware, firmware, or software systems. Development includes implementation of time and frequency signal processing algorithms, communications and spectrum sensing algorithms and/or the application of sensing and perception algorithms in lidar or other sensor processing modalities.
• Further tasks include utilizing complex engineering and mathematical principles to compose algorithm structures for problem solutions including the application of filtering and data fusion methods as well as applying algorithms to application specific hardware by writing code for embedded systems or in a higher-level software environment to integrate or interface with additional systems.
• Support and perform adaptive algorithm research and participate in the execution of projects, including attending technical meetings, completing assigned technical tasks, collaborating with colleagues, and presenting their research to the technical team and team leads.
• Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and programs of research to investigate, advance, and create understanding of emerging problems and solution opportunities in communications technology and applications domains. Propose and shape paths of inquiry, identify target objectives, and define actionable research tasks to drive research pursuits and directions.
• Investigate, develop, and document technology approaches and solutions that produce valuable objective findings and outcomes for internal and sponsored research programs. Recognize, communicate, and report on objective findings and their implications and value.
• Support current research efforts, contribute to whitepapers and proposals, and influence technical direction.
• Conduct solution and system design synthesis translating objectives into requirements, and requirements into physical architectures and solutions for networks of high complexity
• Tasking will be assigned to leverage the existing skills of the candidate, including physics-based modeling, application of advanced mathematical techniques for data processing, digital signal processing, signals analysis, communication and spectrum system modeling, and system performance prediction.
• Work with team members to develop AI/ML methods for controlling and optimizing the performance of communications systems
• Provide guidance and mentoring to more junior research staff and student researchers in all research domains and activities.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than May, 2026.
• Experience in professional signal processing development
• Demonstrated experience in communications, spectrum sensing, electromagnetics, signal processing, machine learning / artificial intelligence, applied mathematics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a research environment where there are many unknowns and undiscovered paths
• Ability to operate effectively, maintain productivity, and make well-reasoned decisions despite incomplete information and requirements, while elucidating objectives and target outcomes
• Ability to be granted Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Secret Clearance or higher
• Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in professional signal processing development
• Background in communications and spectrum applications and related algorithms
• Experience in developing advanced communication systems, implementing or designing waveforms, and integrating communication implementations on SDR platforms
• Expertise in electromagnetics, modeling & simulation, machine learning/artificial intelligence, image, or control theory
• Experience with electronic warfare threat systems
• Experience with cellular communications systems, technologies, and specifications, including ORAN
• Experience programming in MATLAB
• Experience in implementing algorithms in FPGAs (Xilinx) using HDL
• Experience in C/C++ software and systems design and implementation (C++11, C++20)
• Demonstrated recent experience in performing and/or leading research projects

Travel Requirements:

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience:

• 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.