Senior Signal Processing Engineer

Senior Fire Control Systems & Signal Processing Engineer

Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization (DADDO) of Leidos seeks a Senior Fire Control Systems & Signal Processing Engineer to support the development of next-generation hypersonic and missile defense systems. The role sits at the intersection of communications, signal processing, and fire control, focused on enabling resilient connectivity and targeting performance in extreme hypersonic environments.
Primary Responsibilities

Develop and implement advanced signal processing algorithms (e.g., filtering, tracking, beamforming) to support fire control, guidance, and communications in high-noise and contested environments
Design and analyze RF communications and data link architectures for hypersonic and missile systems, including integration with fire control networks
Design, implement, and integrate end-to-end mission data flows, including mission data loads (MDLs), real-time telemetry, health and status reporting, and command and control (C2) interfaces, ensuring seamless operation across communications, guidance and fire control systems
Perform link budget analyses accounting for dynamic flight conditions, including plasma effects, atmospheric attenuation, and vehicle geometry
Conduct electromagnetic modeling and simulation to evaluate antenna performance and RF propagation through thermal protection systems and ionized flow fields
Support Integrated Fire Control (IFC) system design and interface definition with ground and naval systems (e.g., IBCS, Aegis, THAAD)
Develop and integrate models and algorithms within mission-level simulations, digital engineering environments, and M&S frameworks
Collaborate across disciplines (aerodynamics, thermal, systems engineering) to translate mission requirements into executable system designs
Develop and integrate direct signal messaging and mission data pathways, including mission data loads, system health/status telemetry, and real-time command and control interfaces across fire control architectures
Support concept development, trade studies, and technical proposals for emerging hypersonic and missile defense opportunities
Contribute to technical briefings and customer engagements, clearly communicating complex concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience (or master’s with 6+ years)
Experience in signal processing, RF systems, communications, or fire control systems engineering
Proficiency in one or more of the following: MATLAB, Python, C/C++
Experience developing or analyzing algorithms for tracking, communications, or sensor data processing
Understanding of RF fundamentals, including propagation, antennas, and link analysis
Experience working in a DoD, defense contractor, or national security environment
Active Secret clearance required
Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field, with emphasis in Electromagnetics, Communications, or DSP
8+ years supporting missile defense, hypersonic weapons, or reentry systems, including high-speed flight environments
Expertise in electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., Ansys HFSS, CST, FEKO)
Experience developing advanced algorithms such as Kalman filters, adaptive beamforming, or spectral estimation
Direct experience with Integrated Fire Control systems and data links (e.g., IBCS, Aegis, THAAD)
Experience performing link budget analyses for hypersonic systems, including plasma-induced attenuation and atmospheric effects
Hands‑on experience with software‑defined radios (SDR), FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog), or embedded RF systems
Experience integrating solutions within digital engineering or MBSE environments (e.g., Cameo, mission‑level simulations)
Active Top Secret (TS) clearance
Pay Range

$107,900.00 - $195,050.00
Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

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