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Signal Processing Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

As a EW Senior Signal Processing Engineer, you will be responsible for research, design, and development of signal collection, processing and dissemination systems . Duties may include de signing ...

As an EW Senior Signal Processing Engineer, you will be responsible for research, design, and development of signal collection, processing and dissemination systems . Duties may include de signing ...

Leidos currently has an opening for a Junior Signal Processing Engineer to support EW programs in Arlington, VA or San Diego, CA. As part of our team, you will focus on improving the robustness and ...

Leidos currently has an opening for a Junior Signal Processing Engineer to support EW programs in Arlington, VA or San Diego, CA. As part of our team, you will focus on improving the robustness and ...

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Signal Processing Engineer information

See Ashburn, VA salary details

$54.7K

$134.3K

$197.9K

How much do signal processing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for signal processing engineer in Ashburn, VA is $134,318.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $150,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Signal Processing Engineer, you need a strong background in mathematics, digital signal processing theory, and programming, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB, Python, DSP hardware platforms, and relevant certifications like Certified LabVIEW Developer are highly beneficial. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure accurate analysis, efficient design, and successful implementation of signal processing solutions in diverse technical environments.

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

AspectSignal Processing EngineerCommunications Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Communications, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, tech companies, R&D departmentsTelecom companies, network providers, infrastructure firms
Industry UsageDesigning algorithms for audio, video, radar, and sensor dataDeveloping and maintaining communication systems and networks
Search & Comparison IntentFocuses on signal analysis, filtering, and data processingFocuses on network design, protocols, and transmission systems

While both roles involve electrical engineering principles, Signal Processing Engineers primarily develop algorithms for analyzing and filtering signals, whereas Communications Engineers focus on designing and maintaining communication systems and networks. The roles often overlap in telecommunications, but their core responsibilities differ based on the specific application and industry focus.

What does a signal processing engineer do?

A Signal Processing Engineer designs, develops, and implements algorithms and systems to analyze, modify, and interpret signals such as audio, video, radar, or sensor data. They work with both analog and digital signals to extract meaningful information, improve signal quality, and enable communication between devices. Their work is essential in industries like telecommunications, healthcare (medical imaging), audio engineering, and defense. Signal Processing Engineers often use programming languages like MATLAB or Python, and work closely with hardware and software teams to optimize system performance.

What does a signal processing engineer do?

A signal processing engineer is an information technologies expert that analyzes and alters digital signals to make them more accurate and reliable. As a signal processing engineer, your responsibilities are to develop, manage and update digital signals, creating algorithms to process them more efficiently. Qualifications for a signal processing engineer include a bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering, math, or physics, and skills in various programming languages, like C++. You can find signal processing engineer jobs in a wide variety of industries from security to logistics.

What are some typical challenges signal processing engineers face when working on real-time systems?

Signal Processing Engineers working on real-time systems often encounter challenges related to processing speed, latency, and resource constraints. They must design algorithms that efficiently handle large volumes of data without sacrificing accuracy, all while operating within the hardware's computational limits. Collaborating closely with hardware engineers and software developers is common to ensure seamless integration and optimal system performance. Staying updated with the latest advancements in digital signal processing (DSP) tools and techniques also helps address these challenges effectively.

What job categories do people searching Signal Processing Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Signal Processing Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

What cities near Ashburn, VA are hiring for Signal Processing Engineer jobs?

Cities near Ashburn, VA with the most Signal Processing Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Signal Processing Engineer job openings in Ashburn, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,318 per year, or $64.6 per hour.

Staff RF Signal Processing Engineer

CHAOS Industries

Washington, DC • On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with a multi-product portfolio that gives the ultimate advantage-domain dominance. The company's products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats.
CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised a total of $1 billion in funding from leading investors, including 8VC, Accel, and Valor Equity Partners. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com.
Role Overview:
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Senior RF Signal Processing Software Engineer to contribute to the successful development of our electromagnetic warfare product line. This role is critical to transforming our radar systems into sensing systems that detect, classify, and geolocate all RF emissions in the environment using advanced digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. The Senior Engineer will contribute to the Spectrum Sensing Team in the development of algorithms, modeling, software integration, and the execution of field demonstrations of the technology. They will collaborate closely with Business Development (BD), Production, and other Engineering teams.
Responsibilities:
As a key contributor to the Spectrum Sensing Team, the Senior Engineer will play an integral role in developing and redefining the passive radar system into a distributed spectrum sensing system, with a focus on software and algorithm development. The day-to-day will be diverse, engaging, and intellectually stimulating, with a direct impact on pushing the boundaries of sensing technology and application. Key responsibilities include:
  • Develop, implement, and refine advanced DSP algorithms to detect, identify, and track RF signals
  • Integrate and test signal processing software with underlying RF/SDR hardware and host processing platforms

Minimum Requirements:
  • B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field
  • 5+ years of relevant development experience
  • Experience working with RF sensing systems (active or passive) and advanced signal processing techniques
  • Experience working with recorded I/Q data and generating synthetic I/Q data
  • Strong theoretical understanding and practical application of signal processing techniques (e.g., FFT analyses, matched filtering, cyclostationary analysis)
  • Proficiency in programming languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB for algorithm development and integration into current code base
  • Experience with software defined radios (SDR) and associated signal processing toolkits
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly document technical details and present findings
  • Must be able to work on-site 3-5 days per week in Hawthorne CA or Washington D.C.
  • This role will require periodic travel, up to 30%
  • U.S. citizen
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Requirements:
  • M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Current U.S. security clearance
  • Expertise in cyclostationary signal processing
  • Demonstrated experience identifying commercial and non-commercial communication waveforms
  • Expertise with electromagnetic spectrum sensing and classification techniques (e.g., machine learning for signal classification)
  • Experience implementing signal processing algorithms for tactical applications
  • Experience implementing signal processing algorithms on RFSOC hardware
  • Experience with agile development tools like JIRA and Confluence
  • Experience in DoD, military, or other Government environment performing in a related subject area (e.g. engineering, computer science, etc.) in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Why CHAOS?
  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, 'No meeting Fridays', unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 350 employees and counting across 5 global offices

Salary Range: $180,000 - $230,000
The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.
Recruiting Agencies: CHAOS Industries does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach. Unsolicited submissions will not be reviewed or compensated.
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