Principal Communications Engineer - The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc

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.

Lead architect for developing new waveforms and receive algorithms for RF signature detection, communication systems, electronic attack and protection systems, all geared toward both prototype and the full life cycle of fielded products.

A typical assignment might begin with conducting a literature survey of state-of-the-art receiver algorithms.  You would identify the most  promising candidates, conduct a highly-competent, mission-relevant trade study using MATLAB, and report your recommendations to our sponsors and collaborators. You would then write a design specification, work with our SW and HDL teams to realize a deliverable product, and periodically evaluate the product’s field performance, with an eye toward continuous improvement. Hands on testing ability is critical.

Required Qualifications:  

• MS in Electrical engineering, computer engineering or similar with 10+ years specific hands-on experience with DSP development, implementation and testing on multiple projects
• Lead design and development of DSP algorithms for communication systems
• Hands-on experience with software defined radios
• Highly experience with digital communication systems, PHY layer topics, channel coding algorithms and modulation theory
• Very proficient in using MATLAB for DSP signal analysis
• Very experienced with hands on test/measurement to validate concepts and deep dive on performance issues/artifacts; typical measurements might include phase noise, identifying and quantifying noise contributors (LNAs, ADC, LO phase noise, etc.), characterizing triggering repeatability and synchronization stability
• Ability to efficiently document test setup descriptions, test parameters, assumptions, results and takeaway messages in parallel with development efforts

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Very proficient in C++ and python
• Ability to efficiently document test setup descriptions, test parameters, assumptions, results and takeaway messages in parallel with development efforts

Location:

This role is based in Cambridge, MA.

Security Requirements:

All candidates will be expected to maintain a TS clearance, with preference to existing clearance holders.

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