Signal Processing Architect

** Due to the classified nature of our work, U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates must be willing to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.

Location: Cedar Rapids IA, preferred, but open to El Segundo, CA, Nashua, NH, Mukilteo, WA, Sunnyvale, CA

About Us

Pacific Defense develops advanced electronics systems for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers. Specializing in Open Systems Architecture solutions for electromagnetic spectrum warfare, we deliver modular, rapidly reconfigurable systems in less than half the time of traditional contractors. Our expertise spans Radar, EW, SIGINT, and Communications, combined with a go-fast execution model leveraging Open Standards like SOSA, CMOSS, and MORA. With facilities across the country and a diverse team, we drive innovation in signal processing, algorithm development, cognitive systems, and systems integration. Join us to advance your career and tackle national defense challenges.

Pacific Defense is seeking a Signal Processing Architect to develop/improve multi sensor fusion algorithms for Position Navigation Timing (PNT) systems with additional challenges in the EW field. The successful candidate will be able to draw on their previous experience to develop, and research as necessary, algorithms covering subject matters such as data fusion, 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/firmware 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. Once implemented you will take the system into the field to test and improve its performance on target hardware.

Specific and immediate needs are in the multi-source navigation field (A-PNT) where GPS and other Navigation sources/sensors are processed to provide consistent and reliable position, navigation and timing data to systems in a wide variety of situations.

Additional experiences that will be considered: 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.

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 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 in the Assured PNT or other navigation data field. 

• 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, 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 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 military systems.
• Some familiarity with AFSIM, Matlab/Simulink and C/C++
• Critical thinker, with prudent tolerance to balance risk and technology with requirements cost, and schedule.
• 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

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.