Signal Processing Architect

** Due to the classified nature of our work, candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance.  An active TS/SCI is a plus **

Location: El Segundo, CA, Nashua, NH, Mukiteo, WA, Sunnyvale, CA
Remote: Will be considered for an exceptional candidate

About Us

Pacific Defense is an industry leading developer of advanced RF and electronics systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers. We specialize in Open Systems Architecture solutions for the non-kinetic fight. Our vision provides cost effective, highly capable, modular, and rapidly reconfigurable systems to our customers in less than half the time of traditional defense contractors. Our team delivers sensing and effects solutions for the Land, Air, Sea and Space domains at an unprecedented pace. We accomplish this strategy by combining broad domain experience in Radar, EW, SIGINT, and Communications with a go-fast execution model leveraging Open Standards, like SOSA, CMOSS, and MORA, as well as rapid prototyping methodologies to bring our advanced capabilities to customers. The Pacific Defense family includes Perceptronics Solutions with expertise spanning signal processing, novel algorithm development, cognitive systems, high performance computing, hardware design and development, and systems integration and test. We embrace the diversity of people, ideas, and a great employee experience to drive the innovation that runs through everything we do. Pacific Defense has established an excellent reputation in our professional community and is growing our team to seize new opportunities to solve tough challenges for national defense. Come join our team and accelerate your career!

Who are we looking for?

Pacific Defense is seeking a Senior Signal Processing Designer/Architect to develop signal processing algorithms for RF and EW systems. Your job title will be Sr. System Engineer or Principal System Engineer depending on qualifications.  The successful candidate will be able to draw on their previous experience to develop, and research as necessary, algorithms covering subject matters such as signal detection, tracking, resource management, and direction finding. Candidates should not only be comfortable prototyping algorithms in a language like Julia, Python, or MATLAB, but also capable of providing direction and documentation to software developers who will take the algorithm design and implement it on actual systems.  You will be able to take math, algorithms and signal processing concepts from plain-text through pseudocode constructs to ultimately unveil, evolve, and integrate with the system being constructed to transition to software/firmware code for developers. 

Extensive historical knowledge of EW system concepts such as signal detection, communications collection, and EW technique application, with an emphasis on techniques for improving minimum discernible signal, SNR, and dynamic range. Experience with contributing to system architecture selection and providing inputs to trade studies to discriminate between valid and problematic system designs is also a plus.

The ideal candidate will also be comfortable working collaboratively with other members of a small team. The candidate will be expected to explain the operation of their algorithms to others, assist with implementing and debugging the algorithms on an actual system, and occasionally mentor other team members on the concepts utilized by the algorithms. As a senior engineer, the candidate may be required to present their work to customers and leadership.

Requirements

• Eight (8) years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, data science, mathematics, or other applicable technical field; or six (6) years of experience with a master’s degree or higher.

• Experience developing algorithms and performing modeling and simulation (M&S) for EW systems and programs. Familiarity with one or more of the following subject matter areas, especially for systems operating in the space domain, is highly desirable: detection of low-SNR signals, tracking, resource management, direction finding / fine angle-of-arrival, SIGINT/COMINT/ELINT
• Comfortable prototyping an algorithm in a high-level language to analyze its performance against program concepts of operation (CONOPs) or system requirements. Experience with Python is preferred, but other languages such as Julia, MATLAB, etc., is acceptable.
• Ability to explain algorithm function to other engineers and assist with the implementation and debugging on prototype systems. Comfort with creating and maintaining an algorithm description document that team members can use as a reference is highly desirable.
• Willingness to occasionally travel (25% or less) to support customer meetings, program reviews, integration events, etc.
• Must be a US Citizen with a Secret security clearance (active TS/SCI or the ability to get one is highly desirable).

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience performing literature review to discover and identify new algorithms to solve system signal processing needs.

• Experience with requirements, specifications, design, integration, and testing for space systems.

• Some familiarity with AFSIM, Matlab/Simulink and C/C++.
• Experience with Python, Bash, and other languages, knowledge of Linux, Experience with cFS and or sel4 for space applications is a plus.

• Critical thinker, with prudent tolerance to balance risk and technology with requirements cost, and schedule.

• Experience structuring algorithms to take advantage of parallel processing generally and GPU acceleration (CUDA) specifically.
• Introductory-level understanding of orbital mechanics and/or astrodynamics.
• Knowledge of software techniques or best practices to recognize and prevent errors in computing systems caused by radiation, including principles of radiation.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and BASH.
• Familiarity with space environmental testing, verification, and qualification.
• Familiarity with open systems standards.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with experience presenting technical material.
• Ability to work with customers to identify and document system requirements.
• Thrives in a small team/small company atmosphere.

Benefits

What we can offer you:

Pacific Defense provides competitive salaries and immediately vested 401K match. We provide 100% coverage for the employee, and 75% coverage for dependents’ medical, dental, vision, and life insurance premiums, as well as a flexible spending account for incidental health care expenses. We offer paid time off and federal holidays to spend time with family, pursue outside interests, or just get some extra rest.

Pacific Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.