Senior Software Defined Radio Engineer

Overview

Draper 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.

Our 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Draper is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.   We understand the value of diversity 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, gender identity, 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. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact hr@draper.com.

Responsibilities

As software defined radio (SDR) lead, you will assist in the development of custom/novel systems utilizing SDRs for a variety of applications. Responsibilities include collaborating with DSP and electronics experts while developing custom SDR control code for a variety of applications (e.g. RF signature detection, Wi-Fi, etc.) as well as mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:   

• MS in Electrical engineering, computer engineering or similar with 5 years specific hands-on experience with Software Defined Radios for multiple projects
• Very experienced with Ettus USRPs, including
  • UHD (software driver and API for Ettus USRP products)
  • GNURadio and GNURadio Companion
  • RFNoC tool for enabling FPGA processing in USRP devices
• Very experienced with hands-on test/measurement to validate the performance of SDRs or general transceivers; Typical measurements might include
  • Local oscillator phase noise
  • Frequency synchronization across channels
  • Identifying and quantifying noise contributors (LNAs, ADC, LO phase noise, etc.)
  • Characterization of triggering repeatability and synchronization stability
  • Channel performance optimization and matching
• FPGA programming experience
• Experience with digital communication systems, PHY layer topics, channel coding algorithms and modulation theory
• Proficient in C and python

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Proficient in using MATLAB for DSP signal analysis
• Design knowledge of digital filters
• Ability to efficiently document test setup descriptions, test parameters, assumptions, results and takeaway messages in parallel with development efforts

Travel: 

Though this role is based in Cambridge, MA, consideration could be made for working from our Reston, VA office and traveling to Cambridge 1-2wks per month.

Security Requirement:    

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain a Top Secret government security clearance.

#LI-MM1