Senior/Principal Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer - Advanced RF Applications, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

The Advanced RF Applications department (5376) is seeking a highly motivated Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Software Engineer to join its team. Your primary focus will be on the development of signal detection, analysis and processing algorithms for advanced RF communications systems for National Security applications. You will be joining a multi-discipline, success oriented high-performance team. Our sponsors consist of intelligence community (IC), special operations forces (SOF), and Department of War (DOW) organizations, who count on us to deliver high-impact solutions to their evolving and most pressing national security challenges. Projects range from urgent, quick-reaction requests in response to time-sensitive, real-world driven needs to longer term (1-3 year) efforts.

Our advanced RF systems generally include highly optimized Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constrained receivers and transceivers; groundbreaking signal processing; antennas; GPUs; and SDRs. We develop with C++, MATLAB, and Python, but continually explore new tools and technologies to include artificial intelligence / machine learning applications.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Develop and implement new digital signal processing methods
• Research advanced RF applications and associated signals of interest
• Support RF system conceptualization and realization
• Research, develop, and/or analyze the field testing of RF systems
• Analyze RF system data to characterize, validate, and enhance system performance
• Interact with customers and stakeholders on system conceptualization and design

*Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position entails working in a collaborative electronics laboratory environment, utilizing iterative and agile methods to develop capabilities. Additionally, it requires occasional domestic travel.

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance and SCI clearance, which may require a polygraph.

The ideal R&D S&E microwave and sensor engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Laboratory skills and knowledge of RF and digital test equipment.
• Knowledge of RF, Digital Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber Security systems and principles.
• Ability to work successfully in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, teaming environment.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• Proven ability to work successfully within a multidisciplinary team, partner effectively across organizations, as well as understand and work across a diverse set of technologies and capabilities
• Desire and motivation to develop novel capabilities
• Experience or familiarity in one or more of the following areas:
  • Radar signal processing
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) signal processing
  • Development of signal detection and processing algorithms
  • Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink
  • Communications theory and signal analysis
• Experience or familiarity with Intelligence Community and Department of War organizations and mission spaces
• Proven experience in interacting with internal and external customers and partners
• Demonstrated experience in fast-paced environments, adapting to changing priorities and vague requirements
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple projects within appropriate scope, budget, and timeframe
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and small teams effectively
• Demonstrated commitment to developing yourself and your skill set
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally (up to 3-4 times per year)
• Active DOE Q or DOW Top Secret security clearance and the ability to acquire and maintain an SCI clearance

The Advanced Radio Frequency Applications department researches, develops, evaluates and deploys specialized RF systems for a number of national security applications including space based, airborne, and terrestrial RF communications, Command and Control (C2), remote sensing, nontraditional Electronic Counter Measures / Electronic Warfare (ECM/EW), and specialized Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL) systems. Members of the department have broadly varying skills including RF/microwave circuit and system design, antenna design, digital signal processing, embedded system hardware and software, digital system design, operational field-testing development/support, and program/project management. Design challenges include highly miniaturized electronic system design, communication system architecture, ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP) hardware, ultra-low-noise receivers, and signal extraction/classification techniques in low Signal-to-Noise-Ratio environments. We are tightly integrated with other departments in the Advanced RF Applications business area and regularly partner across organizational boundaries internal and external to SNL, to include working closely with Government/Military partners to consistently deliver high-impact solutions to some of our nation's most difficult national security problems.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.