# DSP Engineer (Early Career)
**Company:** [Northwood Space](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/northwood-space)
**Location:** Los Angeles, CA, California
**Salary:** $100K-$140K
**Experience:** 2+ years
**Skills:** Python, Rust, C++, Gnu Radio, Fpga, Digital Signal Processing, Software Defined Radio, Ccsds, Dvb-S2X, Rtl
**Posted:** 2026-03-10
> Develops and owns physical layer algorithms for software-defined radio systems in satellite communications, from modeling in Python/Rust to fixed-point FPGA implementation and field validation. Requires strong programming, digital comms knowledge, and 2+ years experience.
## Job Description
## Responsibilities
- Own the design, validation, and testing of physical layer algorithms for demodulation and beamforming applications
- Develop and maintain floating- and fixed-point algorithm models in **Python** and **Rust**
- Collaborate with FPGA engineers to validate fixed-point implementations appropriate for RTL, ensuring high fidelity between model and hardware
- Contribute to RF systems analysis and dynamic link budgeting for phased array systems
- Take ownership of customer waveform requirements and end-to-end delivery

## Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with **2+ years** of relevant experience, or Master's degree, in a field involving numerical algorithm development
- Strong programming skills in **Python**
- Exposure to lower-level languages such as **C++** or **Rust**
- Solid end-to-end understanding of digital communications — modulation, pulse shaping, synchronization, and demodulation
- Demonstrated ownership of an algorithmic outcome: you built something, deployed it, and found out if it worked

## Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with SDR frameworks such as **GNU Radio**
- Experience with fixed-point algorithm development
- Knowledge of satellite communications standards such as **CCSDS** or **DVB-S2X**
- Experience with **FPGA** development or close collaboration with FPGA engineers
- Experience modeling physical systems to inform adaptive algorithm design
- Experience building or contributing to high-performance numerical libraries or frameworks

## Compensation and Benefits
- DSP Engineer/Level 1: **$100,000 - $140,000** per year
- DSP Engineer/Level 2: **$140,000 - $170,000** per year
- Base salary determined by job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience
- Equity in the form of stock options or other long-term incentives, potential performance bonuses
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, 401(k), short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various perks
**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/dsp-engineer-early-career-at-northwood-space-9330ec70-053e-408d-a129-36552e8601b6
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/dsp-engineer-early-career-at-northwood-space-9330ec70-053e-408d-a129-36552e8601b6