DSP Systems Engineer

About this role

Northwood seeks a Forward Deployed RF Engineer to lead customer-facing RF integration and testing for satellite ground stations. You'll own system validation from requirements through field deployment, working at the intersection of RF hardware, DSP systems, and real-world mission-critical operations.

What you'll do

• Manage RF compatibility and integration with customer systems for end-to-end mission success
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop testing and RF system validation in lab and field environments
• Serve as technical interface between Northwood and customers for RF-related issues
• Debug system-level problems across RF, digital, and software layers
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for system validation
• Support field deployment, commissioning, and bring-up of RF systems globally

What they're looking for

• RF hardware and test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers)
• Software-defined radios (SDRs) and digital communication systems
• RF fundamentals (link budgets, interference, signal integrity)
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and validation frameworks
• System-level debugging across hardware and software boundaries
• Satellite communications or space systems experience
• FPGA and embedded platform integration
• Digital communications standards (CCSDS, DVB-S2X)