Software Defined Radio Engineer, c, c++, Linux, celluar

Falls Church, Virginia
Job TypeDirect Hire
Compensation$0 - $0 / yr

Confidential Opportunity

Software Defined Radio Engineer, c, c++, Linux, celluar

Top Engineer

This confidential employer in Falls Church, Virginia, seeks a Senior Software Defined Radio Engineer with strong C++ and Linux skills. The role focuses on developing SDR-based transceivers for satellite communications, offering a chance to impact global text messaging from space.

Role Snapshot

CompanyConfidential Employer
LocationFalls Church, Virginia, USA
IndustryElectrical Equipment & Components, Electronics/ Semi-conductors
CompensationCompensation negotiable
Employment TypeFull Time/Direct Hire
Remote StatusNo Remote
Total Openings1
Work Experience5 - 15 years
ZIP22044

Opportunity

Imagine a role where your code runs not on a server, but on a satellite hurtling through space, beaming text messages directly to ordinary cell phones. This Senior Software Defined Radio Engineer position puts you at the heart of a confidential startup’s mission to connect every mobile device on the planet without any extra hardware.

You will design, build, and test the SDR transceivers that form the communication backbone of the company’s cellular-based space payloads. From selecting the right FPGA and radio front-end, to implementing signal processing algorithms in C++ and interfacing with the host drivers on Linux, every decision you make directly impacts how reliably text messages reach users in remote corners of the world. Your work spans lab prototyping, simulation of orbit conditions, and eventually verification with flight hardware.

The engineer who thrives here brings deep DSP knowledge and five or more years of hands-on SDR development. You’re comfortable pulling down raw IQ samples, tuning filters, debugging device drivers, and writing test benches that push hardware to its limits. You value rigorous documentation but also move fast in a startup environment where a small team ships real results.

If you’ve been waiting for a chance to apply your C++ and radio expertise to a venture that is literally out of this world, this is it. The company is well-funded, equity is real, and they are ready to relocate the right person. Don’t let another engineer take your seat on this rocket. Apply today and start building the future of global connectivity.

Non-Negotiables

  • You must hold a Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • You need an excellent foundation in digital signal processing and communication theory
  • You should have at least five years of recent experience working with software-defined radios
  • You must possess in-depth knowledge of DSP algorithms such as filter design, clock recovery, signal detection, channel estimation, and equalization
  • You need experience implementing DSP algorithms in C and C++
  • You must have experience with device drivers and creating test benches for benchmarking and testing

What's In It For You

  • You will receive equity compensation in the form of stock options, giving you a stake in the company’s success
  • A relocation allowance of up to $5,000 is available to help you settle in the Northern Virginia area
  • You will join a well-funded startup with patented communications technology and Series B funding arriving in March 2025
  • Your work will directly contribute to bringing text messaging to standard mobile devices anywhere on Earth via satellite links
  • You will own the full development cycle from lab testing through payload prototype to in-orbit operation
  • The role offers true ownership of SDR software, firmware, and signal processing decisions without being micromanaged

Responsibilities

  • You will design, develop, and test all SDR software, including FPGA interfaces and host software in C and C++ within a Linux environment
  • You will evaluate and select SDR hardware for integration into payload and spacecraft systems, considering FPGA size, I/O interfaces, sample rates, and filtering
  • You will create, update, and optimize digital signal processing algorithms for satellite communication links
  • You will develop test software, drivers, and test benches to support unit, integration, and system-level testing and validation
  • You will work with other software team members to benchmark payload software applications and ensure performance
  • You will develop and maintain documentation, ICDs, and interface specifications for in-house IP blocks and SDR-related software

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of PHY and MAC layers of cellular standards such as GSM, LTE, or 5G is preferred
  • Experience implementing DSP algorithms in HDLs like SystemVerilog or VHDL would be highly beneficial
  • Familiarity using lab equipment for validation and testing is a plus
  • Prior experience evaluating SDR platforms and specifications will set you apart
  • A background in satellite communications or space payloads is advantageous

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