Description: Full lifecycle application development. Designing, coding, and debugging applications in various software languages. Software analysis, code analysis, requirements analysis, software review, identification of code metrics, system risk analysis, software reliability analysis. Object-oriented Design and Analysis (OOA and OOD). Software modeling and simulation. Front end graphical user interface design. Software testing and quality assurance. Performance tuning, improvement, balancing, usability, automation. Supports, maintains, and documents software functionality. Integrates software with existing systems. Evaluates and identifies new technologies for implementation. Maintains standards compliance. Implements localization or globalization of software
Background/Need:
The Group is involved in a synergistic combination of research, proof-of-concept test beds, and system engineering/application efforts focused on the goals of enhancing the capacity, the robustness to interference, and the flexibility of future generations of communications satellites, as well as line-of-sight radio communications systems. Current research is concentrating on the design and performance of advanced communications waveforms, the construction of flexible, adaptive wideband frequency plans, robust acquisition and tracking techniques, dynamic resource-allocation protocols, and advanced networking strategies. Promising research results are verified in hardware/software proof-of-concept implementations that provide quantitative performance data as well as complexity information. The group's system engineering activities apply new concepts and technologies to specific communications programs in the national interest.
The Communications Systems Engineer will work in a laboratory team environment to design, develop, and execute operational scripts and unit tests for use in wireless communications systems such as communication satellite payloads and associated ground terminals. The individual will identify key requirements, create test plans, and apply a strong programming and scripting skillset to implement system- and unit-level tests. The individual will be responsible for troubleshooting system issues by applying a working knowledge of system architecture, including software, firmware, and RF components, to identify root cause for system failures. They will also lead the hands-on diagnosis of issues which arise during the integration and testing process, and work closely with software, firmware, and hardware teams to identify and remedy issues. Ideally, the individual will be able to travel to provide on-site support for fielded test equipment approximately 2-3 weeks per year (domestic travel) but not required.
The engineer will support technical staff in testing and maintaining test assets used in the development of satellite communications systems.
Required Skills:
- The engineer should be able to apply programming skills to efficiently implement test procedures and troubleshoot system operation
- The engineer should be skilled in both system test planning and test execution.
- A strong background in and experience with Python, and familiarity with C/C++
- Experience with the Linux operating system
- Demonstration of strong communication skills, both oral and written.
- The candidate must be willing to work in a team environment and learn new skills.
Preferred Skills:
- Recent experience debugging issues and resolving anomalies in a system test environment
- Fluent in using Wireshark, MATLAB, VHDL, and other programming languages and software necessary in the automation and testing of signal processing systems.
- Understanding of RF, networking, FPGA boards, digital signal processing, digital communications, hardware design, software engineering, and computer architecture.
- Experience with communication theory and communication system design
Others:
- Clearance: Interim is sufficient for the start of the role.
- Work Location: This position will be approximately 3 days onsite and 2 days remote; with flexibility based on the project work. Some parts of the project lifecycle will require more onsite at times than others.
- Interview process: Interview process will be an initial pre-screen and then a wider group interview via Zoom.
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