Sr.DSP Engineer (Remote with Travel)

Fairwinds Technologies is a U.S.-based engineering firm specializing in SATCOM, RF transmission systems, network design, systems integration, and digital signal processing. The Senior DSP Engineer will develop, implement, validate, and optimize RF communications signal-processing solutions across Xilinx RFSoC, UltraScale+, and Versal platforms while collaborating with RF, FPGA, embedded software, systems, and customer teams.

Responsibilities:

• 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:

• 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
• an active DoD Secret (or higher) security clearance (or ability to obtain)
• Experience with multi-carrier channelizers, DDC/DUC architectures, polyphase filter banks, efficient FFT-based processing, and real-time spectral sensing
• Experience with timing/synchronization challenges (PPS/10 MHz disciplining, phase-coherent multichannel systems, TDOA/FDOA concepts)
• Familiarity with JESD204B/C-based high-speed converter interfaces and RF front-end integration considerations (AGC, spur mitigation, calibration)
• Exposure to electronic warfare / interference environments, adaptive filtering, beamforming concepts, or robust waveform processing under jamming
• Experience with embedded Linux on Zynq/RFSoC/Versal platforms and real-time streaming architectures
• Scripting and automation (Python) for test harnesses, regression, and performance sweeps
• Working knowledge of applicable 3GPP 38.211 - 38.214 (Minimum Release 17) standards related to the 4G/5G physical layer
• Experience supporting DoD SBIR projects or similar government-funded R&D efforts