DARC Software Signal Processing Engineer

Job Title: DARC Software Signal Processing Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing advanced radar signal processing software for deep space radar systems. You will build and refine high-performance applications and pipelines that support 24/7, all-weather capabilities to detect, track, identify, and characterize objects in deep space with high sensitivity, accuracy, and capacity. The position requires strong expertise in C++, digital signal processing, GPU acceleration, and RF signal processing, as well as the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a secure development environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, document, test, and debug applications software and systems that implement complex logical and mathematical solutions for radar signal processing.
• Conduct multidisciplinary research and collaborate closely with equipment designers and hardware engineers to plan, design, develop, and utilize electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.
• Determine user and system needs by analyzing system capabilities to resolve issues related to program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programming techniques, and controls.
• Prepare clear and comprehensive operating instructions, including documentation for software tools, utilities, and signal processing workflows.
• Design and develop compilers, assemblers, utility programs, and operating system components as needed to support advanced signal processing applications.
• Develop and optimize radar signal processing algorithms and pipelines, including digital signal processing workflows that support deep space radar capabilities.
• Use engineering toolchains such as DSP System Toolbox, Signal Processing Toolbox, and Phased Array System toolsets to model, analyze, and refine radar signal processing algorithms.
• Implement and optimize GPGPU-accelerated solutions, for example using CUDA, to support performance-critical signal processing and analytics workloads.
• Apply AI-enabled engineering tools, such as AI coding assistants, to accelerate tasks like code explanation, refactoring, and test generation, while maintaining full engineer accountability for reviewing and validating all generated code.
• Process radar signals to generate Range-Doppler maps and related radar products, ensuring robust and accurate signal interpretation.
• Incorporate basic beamforming concepts and techniques into radar signal processing chains where applicable.
• Develop and maintain real-time processing solutions in C++ that meet strict performance and latency requirements.
• Leverage modern C++ standards and techniques to write efficient, maintainable, and robust software.
• Write or implement signal processing algorithms, ensuring they are accurate, efficient, and suitable for deployment in operational radar systems.
• Work independently as a self-starter, taking minimal direction and driving tasks from concept through implementation and integration.
• Support high-side development activities and processes, adhering to secure software development practices and environment constraints.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of software performance, reliability, and maintainability through optimization, refactoring, and rigorous testing.

Essential Skills

• At least 5 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor of Science degree, 3 years with a Master of Science degree, or 1 year with a PhD in a related field.
• Active DoD Secret clearance at the time of application.
• Strong experience with C++ for real-time software development.
• Experience with Python for scripting, tooling, or algorithm development.
• Proficiency with CUDA or similar GPGPU technologies for GPU acceleration of signal processing workloads.
• Experience working in Linux-based development environments.
• Hands-on experience with RF signal processing, including radar-focused applications.
• Experience with GPU optimization, including performance profiling and tuning.
• Experience using the NVIDIA MatX library for numerical and signal processing workloads.
• Experience with AI tooling, such as AI coding assistants, to support software development activities.
• Experience with high-side development and associated processes in secure environments.
• Ability to detail how to process a radar signal to generate a Range-Doppler map.
• Understanding of real-time processing requirements and constraints in radar or similar systems.
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of beamforming concepts and their application in radar systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing radar signal processing algorithms and pipelines using digital signal processing techniques.
• Experience using engineering toolchains such as DSP System Toolbox, Signal Processing Toolbox, and Phased Array System toolsets.
• Knowledge of current C++ standards and familiarity with modern C++ techniques and best practices.
• Experience writing signal processing algorithms (highly desired) or implementing existing signal processing algorithms (also valuable).
• Experience using AI-enabled engineering tooling for tasks such as code explanation, refactoring, and test generation, with a strong focus on validation and accountability.
• Advanced academic degrees in a relevant discipline (such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science) are beneficial.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, Monday through Friday onsite position located in a facility adjacent to the Colorado Springs Airport (COCO-1 building), with no work on a military base. You will work in a secure, high-technology environment focused on deep space radar systems that provide 24/7, all-weather capabilities to detect, track, identify, and characterize objects in deep space, including those at geosynchronous earth orbit altitudes. The systems you support offer higher sensitivity, better accuracy, increased capacity, and more agile tracking than current radars, and they enable tracking of launches to geosynchronous orbit altitudes. The environment is highly collaborative and engineering-driven, with access to Linux-based systems, GPU-accelerated hardware, and advanced software toolchains for signal processing, RF analysis, and AI-enabled development. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, secure development practices, and mission-focused innovation in support of critical deep space sensing capabilities. Dress expectations align with a professional engineering office setting.

We reserve the right to pay above or below the posted wage based on factors unrelated to sex, race, or any other protected classification.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. This temporary role may be eligible for the following:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• 401(k)/Roth
• Basic/Supplemental Life & AD&D
• Short and long-term disability
• HSA & DCFSA
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Paid Time off or State Sick Leave

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $175000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract position based out of Colorado Springs, CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Colorado Springs,CO.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.