About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, aerospace & national-security space research & development.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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What You’ll Do

Confidential Client is hiring an Entry Level DSP & SDR Engineer to contribute to communications, signal collection, and hardware prototyping efforts that support national-security space missions. You will work with software-defined radio (SDR) platforms, RF test gear, and development toolchains to help build, validate, and document signal-processing systems for operational programs.

• Gain hands-on experience with advanced SDR hardware, RF test & measurement instruments, CI/CD workflows, and high-performance compute infrastructure
• Implement and test DSP algorithms (filtering, modulation/demodulation, sampling and resampling, detection)
• Integrate algorithms on software and embedded platforms (Linux-based systems, SDRs, FPGAs, or embedded devices)
• Run experiments, simulations, and lab measurements; analyze results and prepare clear technical reports and presentations
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and participate in customer or program office briefings
• Identify opportunities to improve system performance and support transition to prototype/test assets
• Adapt to changing project requirements and take on new duties as needed

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Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements for consideration at the Associate (entry) level:

• Bachelor’s degree (conferred or expected within 12 months) in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics, or a related technical field
• 0–1 year industry experience (internships, co-ops, or academic projects count)
• Experience with scientific programming using MATLAB, Python, or C
• Familiarity with RF lab equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, multimeters)
• Working knowledge of basic DSP concepts (modulation, filtering, sampling) and ability to apply them to practical problems
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 10%
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)
• Academic transcripts (requested as part of application)

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Preferred / Nice-to-Have

Candidates who demonstrate one or more of the following will stand out:

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in a relevant discipline
• Active DoD security clearance
• Hands-on experience with software-defined radios or embedded electronics
• Experience interfacing SDRs, FPGAs, or lab equipment with Linux-based systems
• Familiarity with machine learning workflows or HPC acceleration for DSP workloads
• Strong understanding of RF communications system design, link analysis, or antenna measurement
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and deliver results on high-impact tasks
• Knowledge of computer networking protocols and related software stacks

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Compensation

• Salary range (grade-based): $90,000 - $140,000 per year
• Pay is determined by a combination of education, experience, skills, and other job-related factors

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Location & Work Arrangement

• Primary work location: Chantilly, VA — selected candidate is expected to work full-time on-site at the Chantilly facility
• Role will support domestic travel up to ~10% as needed

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Security & Clearance

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS/SSBI) clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.
• Candidates with an active DoD clearance are encouraged to apply.

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Benefits & Professional Development

Confidential Client offers a competitive benefits package and programs to support career growth, including but not limited to:

• Comprehensive health and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Telework options and alternative work schedules (role-specific)
• 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions based on tenure
• Flexible spending accounts
• Relocation assistance (role-dependent)
• Professional development and tuition assistance
• Programs that reward high performance and encourage innovation

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Leadership Competencies

Confidential Client seeks employees who demonstrate leadership at all levels. Key competencies include:

• Operate strategically
• Lead change
• Engage with impact
• Foster innovation
• Deliver results

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.