In order to achieve NI's Core Strategic Vision to be the leader in software-defined automated test and automated measurements systems, the company is evolving its operating model to align behind industry-oriented business units.
The Systems R&D team in the Aerospace, Defense and Government (ADG) Business Unit focuses on the design and development of components and systems in key application areas, including: avionics, communications, navigation, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW) and RADAR. Leveraging NI's portfolio of PXI RF instruments, modular FPGA co-processors, software-defined radios (USRP products), and software tools (LabVIEW, LabVIEW FPGA, open source), the Systems R&D team creates IP at various levels to provide differentiated system-level offerings.
The Role:
The Principal Software Engineer - FPGA and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) will be responsible for the design and development of embedded DSP and software infrastructure IP blocks, targeting application areas experiencing increasing emphasis on the foundational and advanced communication algorithms and the associated signal processing for SATCOM/Telemetry/EW/Radar applications. The role demands a deeply technical individual with strong teamwork skills that can think at the system level while providing best-in-class algorithms. They will work closely with domain experts within BU to define and execute the implementation strategy of critical software components, system-level software architectures and APIs/User Interfaces (UIs). They will mentor junior engineers in the group on measurement science, and test methodologies.
Core Job Responsibilities
Research, design, implement and test signal processing and communication algorithms required for satellite communications, radar, communications, and navigation systems.
Validate algorithms with real-world hardware (software defined radios) to prove feasibility of algorithms with real world signals. Verify performance at the system level with deployment.
Map developed algorithms to key application spaces in radar, satcom, communication, and navigation systems.
Independently lead the feature(s) through release.
Contribute to product design and code review efforts with the rest of the team.
Become a leading technical expert on key technologies in this space
Required qualifications
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (EE), Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), or Computer Science (CS) strongly preferred.
Minimum 10 years relevant engineering experience in simulation and test FPGA designs to ensure they meet performance and functionality requirements.
Experience using System Verilog or VHDL to implement synthesizable logic targeting FPGAs.
Experience with HSS standards like Aurora and Ethernet is a plus.
Experience writing testbenches and simulation models to verify logic designs.
Understanding of RF concepts such as: freq/wl and freq/t relationships
Applicant should have basic understanding of RF time and spectral measurements.
US Citizen and/or US Person - required by law, regulations and/or government contracts with the DoD.
Preferred Qualifications
Digital signal processing skills - FFT's, sampling algorithms experience.
Familiar with common clock domain crossing methods.
Knowledge of static timing analysis and experience writing timing constraints.
Experience writing and executing test plans to verify board level digital circuits.
Familiar with common benchtop instruments such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, function generators, and power supplies.
Proficiency in DSP/SDR Programming languages such as Python, Matlab, LabVIEW, C, C++ and development experience on Windows/Linux platform.
Familiar with Xilinx, Intel, or Lattice FPGAs and CPLDs, as well as their design tools.
Experience collaborating with other technical disciplines such as Analog, Software, Mechanical, and RF.
Familiar with communications standards such as CCSDS, IRIG106 &/or signals such as GPS, 5G, LTE
Experience with RF instrumentation such as spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes.
Experience with DSP/SDR algorithm design. Applicant should understand baseband communications theory concepts such as:
Digital Up and Down Conversion (DUC /DDC)
Sampling theory
Filter operations, i.e. FIR, IIR, windowing
Basic modulation schemes such as PSK, FSK
Soft vs hard decisions
Demodulation techniques for timing and frequency recovery
Familiar with advanced modulation techniques
Familiar with RF measurements
Success Factors
Ability to independently identify and solve application-specific system engineering problems
Track record of being a technical expert with extraordinary implementation skills
Persistently drives tasks and leads projects to successful completion.
Effectively interact and communicate with engineering teams and management.
Strong problem-solving skills, work ethic, and drive to succeed with a demonstrated ability in effectively diagnosing technical issues and proposing reasonable solutions.