Senior Communication Engineer (Embedded Systems & DSP)

About the Role

We are building next-generation underwater communication systems. We are looking for a Senior Communication Engineer to take ownership of the final leg of development: integration, validation, and optimization.

Our hardware and software stacks are established. We don't need you to reinvent the wheel; we need you to make it roll smoothly in the ocean. You will take ownership of existing prototypes and drive them to become field-proven, high-reliability products.

We do not strictly require prior marine experience; we require unshakable fundamentals in signal processing, communication theory, and mixed-signal analysis. If you can take a system that works in the lab and make it survive high noise, limited power budgets, and rigorous open-water conditions, connect with us.

Key Responsibilities

• System Validation & Optimization:

  Take ownership of the existing hardware and software stack. Your primary goal is to validate the design, characterize performance, and drive the system from "lab-ready" to "field-proven."

• Acoustic Field Testing & Characterization:

  Plan and execute "wet" testing (tank, lake, and sea trials). You will act as the feedback loop: analyzing real-world channel data to understand why a packet was dropped and determining if the fix lies in the analog hardware or the DSP parameters.

• DSP Tuning & Algorithm Refinement:

  The core algorithms are ready; your job is to tune them for reality. Adjust modulation schemes, error correction thresholds, and gain control logic based on actual environmental conditions (multipath, Doppler, ambient noise).

• Hardware Design Verification:

  You won’t design PCBs from scratch, but you must be able to review existing schematics and layouts to identify bottlenecks. You will debug Analog Front End (AFE) performance, verify Rx sensitivity, and recommend specific board re-spins or patch fixes if hardware limitations are found.

• Hardware/Firmware Integration Debugging:

  Troubleshoot complex interaction issues between the physical layer and the firmware. Use logic analyzers and oscilloscopes to verify that the software is driving the hardware correctly (e.g., correct ADC timing, SPI throughput, GPIO states).

• Noise Analysis (EMI/EMC):

  Analyze the system in its final form factor. Identify noise sources (motor drivers, power supplies) that are desensitizing the communication link and implement grounding or shielding fixes to resolve them.

• Reliability Engineering:

  Stress-test the communication link. Define failure modes and edge cases (low battery, high temperature, extreme depth) and ensure the system recovers gracefully without manual intervention.

Technical Requirements (Core Domain Expertise)

Since we are in the execution phase, we value diagnostic skills and theoretical understanding over the ability to design from a blank slate.

• Communication Theory & DSP: Strong grasp of digital communication fundamentals (Modulation schemes like FSK/PSK/OFDM, Channel Estimation, Equalization, and FEC). You should understand the math well enough to look at a failed transmission and hypothesize why it failed.
• Mixed-Signal Hardware Literacy: Ability to read and review complex schematics and PCB layouts. You must be comfortable tracing signals through an Analog Front End (Op-amps, Filters, ADC/DACs) to verify signal integrity and gain staging.
• Lab Instrumentation & Debugging: Proficiency with standard lab equipment (Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, Logic Analyzers). You should be able to measure SNR, noise floors, and verify timing between the MCU and the analog hardware.
• Data Analysis & Modeling: Experience using tools like Python (NumPy/SciPy) or MATLAB to analyze real-world datasets. You will need to visualize channel data to make informed decisions about algorithm tuning.
• Embedded Systems Awareness: Familiarity with how signal processing translates to firmware. Understanding of constraints like memory buffers, DMA, and interrupt handling is critical for troubleshooting hardware-software integration issues.

We do not expect you to be an expert in every area listed, but you must have the drive to learn the missing pieces and grow in this role.