{"id":1006321,"url":"https://alion.io/job/draper-senior-digital-signal-processing-systems-engineer","title":"Senior Digital Signal Processing Systems Engineer","company":{"id":58532,"name":"Draper","domain":"draper.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/draper-com","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":77,"open_postings":78,"ghost_share":0.013,"stale_share":0.872,"repost_share":0.013,"time_to_fill_p50_days":33,"computed_at":"2026-11-08T05:47:12Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cambridge, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":82300,"max":220000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":220000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-17T16:50:03Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-17","last_verified_at":"2026-11-08T16:46:01Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":52,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":52},"description":"Overview:\nDraper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.\nJob Description Summary:\nAs a Senior Digital Signal Processing System Engineer you will support programs to create innovative, multidisciplinary technical solutions, for a broad range of highly-complicated mission needs. You will participate in hands-on engagement with concept and prototype development, which may include software or firmware coding, test equipment operation, support of system integration, field tests and customer demonstrations.Due to the nature of our customers’ missions, this position is necessarily performed onsite in our recently-renovated Cambridge facility and laboratories. Typical candidates have 1-5 years of relevant DSP experience and a DSP-focused Master’s thesis.\nAligned with our goal of developing long-term relationships with Draper staff, we offer the best benefits package and retirement plan in our industry.\nDuties/Responsibilities\nDesign waveforms and algorithms suited for high performance applications\nSupport signal processing areas of complex engineering projects in a fast-paced environment\nDevelop and maintain expertise in telecommunications technology and network architectures\nUse standard laboratory instrumentation for validation and troubleshooting\nPerform analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency systems and algorithms\nProvide DSP insight and suggest associated algorithms based on analysis outcomes\nDemonstrates strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals\nSupports business development activities including development of proposals and engaging with sponsors\nSkills/Abilities\nDSP algorithm design and implementation (e.g. FIR filter design, adaptive filtering, channel equalization, application of LMS, Maximum Likelihood and MMSE estimators, multirate signal processing)\nStatistical channel detection/estimation\nNeyman-Pearson detectors and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves\nExperience with wireless communications (4G/5G, MIMO, OFDM)\nKnowledge of RF systems and architecture\nExperience with signal link budget hand calculations\nExperience with embedded software for FPGAs and GPUs\nHands-on experience with test equipment for RF measurements\nFPGA, GPU, or C implementation of signal processing algorithms\nExperience programming and utilization of software defined radios\nVery experienced using Matlab and/or python for DSP signal analysis\nStrong problem-solving skills\nExcellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative team environment\n• Excellent self-management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details\nJob Description:\nDuties/Responsibilities\nDesigns RF and Communications systems that solve challenging problems.\n\nManages complex engineering projects in a fast-paced environment.\n\nDevelops and maintains effective internal/external relationships.\n\nDrives solutions to complex problems with limited direction-contributes to requirements development, proposes ways forward, and adapts appropriately to changes in requirements.\n\nPerforms analysis and modeling of complex radio frequency or communications systems.\n\nContributes to customer presentations.\n\nAble to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines.\n\nIdentifies program/system-level technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.\n\nActively mentors less experienced teammates and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.\n\nAbility to lead a cross functional team.\n\nInvolved in business development and proposal activities.\n\nPerforms other related duties as assigned.\n\nSkills/Abilities\nKnowledge of RF systems and architectures.\n\nKnowledge of fundamentals of electrical engineering.\n\nSkills with RF and Communications software tools.\n\nHands on experience with instrumentation for RF measurement.\n\nStrong problem solving skills.\n\nExcellent verbal and written communication skills and ability and willing to work in highly collaborative team environment.\n\nExcellent management and organizational skills: proven ability to meet deadlines, task prioritization and attention to details.\n\nEducation\nRequires bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field. Advanced degree preferred.\nExperience\nRequires 5-10 years experience in Radio Frequency or Communications Engineering or related field.\nAdditional Job Description:\nApplicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance\nConnect With Draper for Future Opportunities! If you don't find the right posting in our Career Opportunities, you may submit your resume for future consideration.\nJob Location - City:\nCambridgeJob Location - State:\nMassachusettsJob Location - Postal Code:\n02139-3563The US base salary range for this full-time position is\n$82,300.00 - $220,000.00Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role.Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.\nOur work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you, apply now www.draper.com/careers.\nDraper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. 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