The Role
Leads development, implementation, optimization, and verification of DSP algorithms for advanced spacecraft communication systems. Responsibilities include symbol timing and carrier recovery, equalization, fixed-point modeling, MATLAB and Simulink simulation, FPGA architecture collaboration, hardware integration, lab testing, system bring-up, and debugging. The role requires technical leadership and expertise in digital communications, hardware-efficient DSP implementation, and FPGA or ASIC deployment.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking a highly skilled Staff DSP Engineer to lead the development, implementation, and verification of advanced signal-processing algorithms for high-performance communication systems as part of Impulse’s next generation of space vehicles. The ideal candidate will have strong theoretical DSP knowledge, practical fixed-point implementation experience, and hands-on hardware integration skills.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and optimize DSP algorithms for advanced communication systems
- Develop and refine symbol timing recovery, carrier recovery, and equalization algorithms
- Perform fixed-point modeling, quantization analysis, and algorithm optimization for hardware deployment
- Use MATLAB and Simulink for modeling, simulation, and verification of DSP processing chains
- Collaborate closely with FPGA design teams to translate algorithms into hardware-efficient architectures
- Support development of hardware architectures, including data-path specification and resource balancing
- Participate in lab integration, system bring-up, and debugging of DSP and FPGA subsystems
- Analyze system performance and propose enhancements for robustness, efficiency, and scalability
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- Minimum 8+ years of experience in the field
- Strong foundation in DSP theory and digital communication principles
- Expertise in symbol timing recovery, equalization, carrier recovery, and related DSP components
- Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink for algorithm development and modeling
- Experience with fixed-point DSP, fixed-point arithmetic, and implementation constraints for hardware
- Familiarity with hardware architecture design principles
- Ability to work effectively with FPGA and digital hardware engineers
- Experience with lab testing, hardware debugging, and system integration
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical-leadership skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
- PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 5+ years of experience with Verilog/VHDL or high-level synthesis tools
- Background in high-speed communication systems, FEC, or modem design
- Knowledge of DSP implementation on FPGAs or ASICs
- Familiarity with HDL generation tools such as Simulink HDL Coder / HDL Toolbox
- Experience with free-space optical communication systems
- Experience in a startup or fast paced agile development environment
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space’s spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About
Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
- At least 8 years of relevant experience
- Strong knowledge of DSP theory and digital communication principles
- Expertise in symbol timing recovery, equalization, carrier recovery, and related DSP components
- Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink for algorithm development, modeling, simulation, and verification
- Experience with fixed-point DSP, fixed-point arithmetic, quantization analysis, and hardware implementation constraints
- Familiarity with hardware architecture design principles
- Ability to collaborate effectively with FPGA and digital hardware engineers
- Experience with lab testing, hardware debugging, and system integration
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical leadership skills
- PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field
- At least 5 years of experience with Verilog, VHDL, or high-level synthesis tools
- Background in high-speed communication systems, forward error correction, or modem design
- Knowledge of DSP implementation on FPGAs or ASICs
- Familiarity with Simulink HDL Coder or HDL Toolbox
- Experience with free-space optical communication systems
- Experience in a startup or fast-paced agile development environment
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The Company
What We Do
Impulse enables low-cost and nimble last-mile space payload delivery - access any orbit, reach other worlds.
