Digital Signal Processing Engineer

Job Details

Description
At BlueHalo, an AV company, we provide a full suite of exquisite, space-qualified hardware trusted to fly in the most extreme environments space presents across GEO, MEO, LEO and Cislunar orbits. With hundreds of systems flying in space, our customers turn to BlueHalo when a mission can't fail.
Our team is expanding to do the big things that have never been done before – the things the nation and the world are counting on us to deliver. Join the transformation and help us make this impact now.
We are seeking a
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer
to join our elite R&D team focused on next-generation RF sensing and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions. This role is for a recognized expert who will serve as the technical authority in designing, developing, and deploying high-performance signal processing algorithms for complex defense and national security applications.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building end-to-end DSP pipelines for the detection, geolocation, classification, and protocol reverse-engineering of UAS/drone control links and other critical RF emitters.

Key Responsibilities
Algorithm Design and Development

• Design and implement RF detection, demodulation, and classification algorithms optimized for real-time performance across various RF spectrum domains (radar, Electronic Warfare, SATCOM, and communications).
• Lead the development of innovative algorithms for waveform analysis, machine-learning-assisted classification, and automated RF emitter identification in complex, contested signal environments.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in adaptive filtering, detection theory, and spectral analysis.

Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Implementation

• Implement DSP algorithms using expert proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C++ for deployment across embedded systems, Software Defined Radios (SDR—USRP, COTS, and custom radios), and high-performance computing platforms.
• Architect and optimize end-to-end DSP pipelines for rapid deployment, including IQ capture analysis, data processing, and visualization.
• Drive continuous integration (CI/CD) and best practices for software collaboration (Git).

RF & Mission Analysis Leadership

• Lead RF protocol reverse-engineering efforts to identify and characterize proprietary or unknown UAS/drone command and control links.
• Conduct complex RF link characterization and analysis across key frequency bands (L/S/C/X bands) to inform system design and vulnerability assessments.
• Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams integrating RF hardware, DSP software, and mission analysis to achieve strategic program objectives.

Core Competencies

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• RF Signal Detection & Classification
• Software Defined Radio (SDR) – USRP, COTS, custom radios
• RF Protocol Reverse Engineering
• UAS / Drone RF Link Identification
• Spectral Analysis & Modulation Recognition
• MATLAB / Python / C++ Algorithm Development
• EW, Radar, and Communications Signal Modeling
• AI/ML Feature Extraction for RF Classification
• IQ Capture Analysis & Pipeline Development
• RF Link Characterization (L/S/C/X bands)
• Git / CI-CD / Software Collaboration

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related STEM field. An advanced degree (MS/PhD) is highly desired.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing DSP algorithms for RF sensing and analysis.
• Deep, demonstrable background in signal characterization, adaptive filtering, detection theory, and RF emitter identification across multiple domains (EW, Radar, SATCOM).
• Strong background in reverse engineering wireless communication protocols.
• Expert-level mastery of MATLAB, Python, and C++ programming environments.
• Extensive experience with Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms (e.g., USRP, custom radios) and environments.
• Clearance: Must hold or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) or TS/SCI level security clearance.

Logistics

• Relocation: This position is located in Leesburg, VA, and relocation is required
• Travel: Occasional travel to customers and testing sites may be required (up to 15%).

Salary Range: $180,000 - $210,000
BlueHalo, an AV company pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.

Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees' total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.

• Why BlueHalo, an AV Company**

At BlueHalo, an AV Company, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in space technology. Join our team and contribute to groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space exploration.
Being part of our team means working alongside the brightest minds in technology on the toughest challenges facing our nation – not just occasionally, but every single day. Together, we are leading the transformation of modern warfare, and each employee plays a key role. That's why our investment in you goes beyond a rewarding salary and benefits package. We're committed to providing our people with the best opportunities to develop their skills, share their knowledge, and push their innovative ideas to the cutting edge. Having fun doing it with a team that feels like family is the ultimate perk. From Space and Directed Energy to Cyber and Intelligence to C4ISR and Air & Missile Defense, there is no limit to where you can take your career with us. Are you ready to launch a career here?