Principal DSP Engineer

Sr. Principal Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite

Employment Type: Contract

Contract Duration: 42 Weeks

Pay Rate: $80-$90/hr

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Principal Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer to support advanced defense and intelligence applications in Cincinnati, OH.

This position will focus on developing cutting-edge Digital Signal Processing algorithms, primarily using MATLAB, with additional development potentially involving C/C++, Python, embedded software, GPU computing, or FPGA technologies.

The engineer will work with a highly technical, cross-functional team supporting advanced RF, radar, communications, electronic warfare, digital hardware, and signal-processing systems.

What Youll Be Doing

• Develop and implement advanced Digital Signal Processing algorithms

• Perform algorithm development, modeling, simulation, and analysis using MATLAB

• Work with signal-processing algorithms in the time and frequency domains

• Support applications involving RF signal processing, radar, digital communications, electronic warfare, software-defined radios, and image processing

• Develop and optimize signal-processing solutions for real-time applications

• Support software and/or FPGA-based implementation of signal-processing algorithms

• Collaborate with engineers across DSP, RF, antenna design, digital hardware, embedded software, and cyber/software development

• Potentially apply AI/ML techniques to signal-processing applications including classification, denoising, source separation, and anomaly detection

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) security clearance

• U.S. Citizenship required

• Strong professional experience in Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

• Proficiency with MATLAB specifically for DSP and algorithm development

• Proficiency in software development or FPGA design

• One of the following education/experience combinations:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline with 8+ years of experience

• Master's degree with 6+ years of experience

• PhD with 4+ years of experience

Highly Relevant Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• RADAR, including SAR/ISAR

• RF signal processing

• Electronic Warfare (EW)

• Software-Defined Radios (SDR)

• Digital communication systems and modulation techniques

• LPI/LPD waveforms

• RF signal-processing chains and link budgets

• C/C++ or Python

• Embedded software development in Linux/UNIX environments

• FPGA development

• VHDL or Verilog

• Xilinx, Altera/Intel, or Microsemi FPGAs

• CUDA, OpenCL, or Vulkan GPU development

• AI/ML applied to signal processing

• Technical leadership experience

Position Details

• Location: Cincinnati, OH

• Work Arrangement: 100% onsite

• Pay: $80-$90/hour

• Contract Duration: 42 weeks

• Employment Type: Contract

• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI required

• U.S. Citizenship: Required

At 40 hours per week, the $80-$90/hr pay range equates to approximately $134,400-$151,200 in gross earnings over the 42-week contract, assuming 40 paid hours each week.

Apply

If you have a strong background in Digital Signal Processing, MATLAB, radar/RF systems, software development, or FPGA development and currently hold an active TS/SCI clearance, please apply to learn more about the opportunity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Cincinnati, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $10.00 - $10.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Cincinnati,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 2026.

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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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

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

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.