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Dsp Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Maxtena Inc

DSP Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$145K - $169K/yr

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer as part of an engineering R&D team, the DSP Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing advanced signal processing algorithms.

Maxtena Inc

DSP Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$145K - $169K/yr

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer as part of an engineering R&D team, the DSP Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing advanced signal processing algorithms.

Rincon Research Corp

Jr. DSP Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

What are the primary responsibilities in the Jr. DSP/Communications Engineer position? Core responsibilities include designing and implementing digital signal processing systems for communication ...

New

Rincon Research Corp

Jr. DSP Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

What are the primary responsibilities in the Jr. DSP/Communications Engineer position? Core responsibilities include designing and implementing digital signal processing systems for communication ...

New

Maxtena Inc

DSP Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$145K - $169K/yr

S. in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering, MSE preferred * 7+ years of experience in DSP, FPGA, or ASIC development * Strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, and hardware ...

Rincon Research Corp

Jr. DSP Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

What are the primary responsibilities in the Jr. DSP/Communications Engineer position? Core responsibilities include designing and implementing digital signal processing systems for communication ...

New

Steely

DSP Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$175K - $195K/yr

Steely is looking for a like-minded individual to join our team as a DSP Engineer. Our Team embraces the concept that the sky's the limit. Regardless of where you are at in your career, our goal is ...

AeroVironment

Principal DSP Engineer

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$153K - $234K/yr

Worker Type Regular We are seeking a Principal Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer to implement and support efforts in detecting and classifying Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) platforms ...

Steely

DSP Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$175K - $195K/yr

Steely is looking for a like-minded individual to join our team as aDSP Engineer. Our Team embraces the concept that the sky's the limit. Regardless of where you are at in your career, our goal is to ...

Steely

DSP Engineer

Reston, VA

$175K - $195K/yr

Steely is looking for a like-minded individual to join our team as aDSP Engineer. Our Team embraces the concept that the sky's the limit. Regardless of where you are at in your career, our goal is to ...

Next Step Systems

DSP Communications Engineer

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$141K - $164K/yr

DSP Communications Engineer, Linthicum Heights, MD We are looking for multiple DSP Communications Engineer candidates at multiple levels for this position. Candidates must be US Citizens and cannot ...

Next Step Systems

DSP/FEC Engineer

Linthicum, MD · On-site

$141K - $164K/yr

DSP/FEC Engineer, Linthicum Heights, MD We are looking for multiple DSP/FEC Engineer candidates at multiple levels for this DSP/FEC Engineer position. Candidates must be US Citizens and cannot have ...

Darksaber Labs

DSP Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

About Darksaber Labs A new Defense Tech startup focused on building next gen EW systems. About the role * Lead and build out a signal processing pipeline for multiple technologies. What you'll do

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All JobsDsp Engineer JobsDsp Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Dsp Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$107.6K

$174.7K

$190.8K

How much do dsp engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for dsp engineer in Washington, DC is $174,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $162,000.00 and $189,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a DSP engineer?

A digital signal processing (DSP) engineer designs, develops, and maintains digital signals for accuracy. Duties of a DSP engineer include using knowledge of DSP algorithms and software to create or improve systems that process audio, visual, and data signals. They work with various types of systems, including undersea cables, audio-visual systems, or computer networking.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a DSP engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a DSP Engineer, you need a solid background in digital signal processing, mathematics, and programming, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like MATLAB, Simulink, C/C++, and DSP hardware platforms is essential, along with knowledge of relevant industry standards. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and troubleshoot complex systems. These skills ensure accurate signal processing solutions, efficient development cycles, and the delivery of high-performance products.

What are the common challenges a DSP engineer faces when working on real-time signal processing applications?

DSP Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing algorithms to run efficiently on hardware with limited processing power and memory, ensuring low latency for real-time applications, and minimizing power consumption, especially in embedded systems. They must also frequently collaborate with hardware, software, and systems teams to integrate their solutions seamlessly. Keeping up with evolving digital signal processing techniques and tools is essential for tackling complex signal environments and meeting project requirements.

What is the difference between Dsp Engineer vs Signal Processing Engineer?

AspectDsp EngineerSignal Processing Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fields; knowledge of DSP algorithmsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, or related fields; strong math and algorithm skills
Work EnvironmentDesigning and implementing digital signal processing systems, often in embedded environmentsDeveloping algorithms for analyzing and processing signals, often in research or software settings
Employer & Industry UsageTelecommunications, audio/video, defense, consumer electronicsResearch labs, academia, software companies, telecommunications

While both roles involve signal processing, Dsp Engineers focus on designing and implementing digital signal processing systems, often embedded, whereas Signal Processing Engineers typically develop algorithms for analyzing signals, often in research or software environments. The roles overlap in skills and industry usage but differ in application focus.

Are DSP engineers in demand?

DSP engineers are in high demand due to their expertise in digital signal processing used in telecommunications, audio, and imaging systems. The role often requires knowledge of programming languages like C/C++ and tools such as MATLAB, with employment opportunities growing as electronic devices and communication technologies expand.
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Dsp Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dsp Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,674 per year, or $84 per hour.

DSP Engineer

Maxtena Inc

Germantown, MD • On-site

$145K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer as part of an engineering R&D team, the DSP Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing advanced signal processing algorithms. Work will include designing signal detection and optimization algorithms, waveform design, implementation of modulation and demodulation methods and general RF communications systems based on Software Defined Radio (SDR) technologies within multi-element antenna topologies.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and optimize FPGA and ASIC-based digital signal processing systems for next-generation communication platforms
  • Collaborate with ASIC, RF, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and performance optimization
  • Develop and test FPGA modules using Verilog/VHDL for high-reliability and radiation-tolerant environments
  • Troubleshoot and debug FPGA, firmware, and embedded systems issues in both lab and customer environments
  • Perform system-level testing, including BER, NPR, and interoperability testing using industry-standard lab equipment
  • Develop test tools and automation scripts (Python, MATLAB) for data collection, analysis, and system validation
  • Support customer integration efforts and provide on-site technical assistance when needed
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of design methodologies, tools, and testing frameworks

Required Qualifications

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a Secret clearance
  • S. in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering, MSE preferred
  • 7+ years of experience in DSP, FPGA, or ASIC development
  • Strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, and hardware description languages (Verilog/VHDL)
  • Experience with FPGA development tools (Xilinx, Altera/Intel) and simulation environments (e.g., QuestaSim)
  • Solid understanding of digital communications systems, including modulation, coding, and signal analysis
  • Experience with lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and network analyzers
  • Familiarity with embedded systems and real-time operating systems (RTOS, Linux)
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment

Additional Qualification:

  • Experience with satellite communications or software-defined radio (SDR) systems
  • Knowledge of radiation effects and space-grade FPGA design
  • Experience working in Agile development environments
  • Familiarity with cryptography and telecommunications systems
  • Desired experience in: Image processing Software Defined Radio Channelization/ Reconstruction Array processing Radar, Artificial Intelligence, Beamforming 
  • Active TS security clearance is a plus
    Maxtena is an Equal Opportunity  Employer