Overview: The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.
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Project/Unit Description The Information and Communications Laboratory (ICL) Communications Systems and Spectrum Division (CSSD) Networking and Virtualization Branch (NVB) is looking for an Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer to support the research and development of innovative solutions for communications and spectrum sensing systems and is looking for a dynamic and challenging work environment. The Division's projects focus on advanced signal processing, adaptive communications technologies, advanced algorithms, and artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to communications, spectrum sensing, electronic warfare, and next generation cellular network technologies. Key research areas include future generations of adaptive communication systems, intelligent spectrum sensing systems, adaptive and learning algorithms, advanced waveforms for communications and sensing, and physics-based propagation modeling.
The Division supports work across many branches of the Department of War (DoW), including the Army, Navy, and Office of the Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. Programs span the range from applied research through prototype developments that are fielded for experimentation and capability demonstrations.
The ideal candidate will be an inquisitive and resourceful researcher with embedded software skills and an interest in signal processing, mathematics, and technical algorithms that can be applied to communication systems and spectrum sensing. Candidates should have a strong desire to collaborate with other team members while designing, implementing, testing and fielding innovative communications platforms to provide solutions for communications and spectrum sensing problems of interest to the DoW. As a researcher, the candidate will develop innovative concepts to investigate, advance, and create understanding of emerging problems and solution opportunities in communications technology and applications domains.
Job Purpose The Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer is responsible for developing algorithms and code for real-time signal processing to include communication and data transfer between system level hardware and embedded hardware. The Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer develops designs based on embedded firmware systems, such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), microcontrollers/computers, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits/systems (ASICs), and or Graphics Processor Units (GPUs). These designs also require development of documentation to support future reviews of design and enhancements. This position requires extensive knowledge of development environments for Xilinx and Altera (Intel) technologies, software development and configuration skills, and computer operating systems. The Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer applies engineering principles to firmware software creation and implementation of real-time hardware interface firmware and analysis, debugging, and testing of these systems.
Key Responsibilities - Design, test, and develop software packages to meet requirements and open system standards
- Develop and maintain software and scripts to support software development and processes
- Follow embedded software/firmware development processes
- Contribute to research reports, white papers, and competitive proposals
Additional Responsibilities - Participate in the execution of projects, including attending technical meetings, completing assigned technical tasks, collaborating with colleagues, and presenting their research to the technical team and team leads.
- Tasking will be assigned to leverage and expand the existing skills of the candidate, including system and application architecture and design, software development and test, software analysis
- Contribute to the development of innovative concepts and programs of research to investigate, advance, and create understanding of emerging problems and solution opportunities in communications technology, systems, and applications domains.
- Investigate, develop, and document technology approaches and solutions that produce valuable objective findings and outcomes for internal and sponsored research programs. Recognize, communicate, and report on objective findings and their implications and value.
- Conduct solution and system design synthesis translating objectives into requirements, and requirements into physical architectures and solutions for networks of high complexity
- Work with team members to develop AI/ML methods for controlling and optimizing the performance of communications systems
- Develop expertise in software development, infrastructure, techniques, and tools
- Support development of technical reports/presentations for projects of moderate/high complexity
- Contribute to white papers and proposals with supporting background or data analysis
- Contribute to technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations
Required Minimum Qualifications - Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field
- Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered.
- The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than May 2026.
- The candidate should be familiar with software development concepts such as source control, agile development, and good coding practices
- Experience developing on embedded platforms
- Experience with use of C, C++, and Python
- Experience using GIT and Confluence
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team
- Ability to work in a research environment where there are many unknowns and undiscovered paths
- Ability to operate effectively, maintain productivity, and make well-reasoned decisions despite incomplete information and requirements, while elucidating objectives and target outcomes
- Ability to be granted Secret Clearance
Preferred Qualifications - Active Secret Clearance
- 5 years experience or more in professional embedded software development
- MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related field
- Experience in developing advanced communication systems, implementing or designing waveforms, and integrating communication implementations on SDR platforms
- Strong background in electromagnetics, signal processing, mathematics, machine learning / artificial intelligence, or scientific algorithm development
- Experience with electronic warfare threat systems
- Proficiency in C/C++ software and systems design and implementation (C++11, C++20)
- Experience with Linux operating systems
- Proficiency with containerized software development, deployment, and security
- Experience with cellular communications systems, technologies, and specifications, including ORAN
- Experience with SOSA/MORE and/or CMOSS open architectures and platforms
- Demonstrated recent experience in applied research and development
Travel Requirements 10% - 25% travel
Education and Length of Experience This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement.The final job offerwill be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook
- 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Engineering or realted.
Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.
U.S. Citizenship Requirements Clearance Type Required Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Benefits at GTRI Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link:
Equal Employment Opportunity The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.
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