Demo

Principal Digital Design Engineer

Leonardo DRS
Frederick, MD Remote Full Time
POSTED ON 9/28/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/28/2026

Job ID: 115317 

 

The Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems business is a global leader and strategic partner committed to delivering world-class, full life-cycle defense and intelligence products that protect the security of our nation and our allies.  From air combat training to state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems, our technology is deployed by virtually all U.S. military and government agencies around the world.

Job Summary

Location:  

Frederick, MD, US, 21703

 

The Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems business is a global leader and strategic partner committed to delivering world-class, full life-cycle defense and intelligence products that protect the security of our nation and our allies.  From air combat training to state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems, our technology is deployed by virtually all U.S. military and government agencies around the world.

 

Job Summary

 

We're looking for a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer IV to join our Signal Solutions team in Frederick, MD.  In this role, you’ll design, develop, analyze, verify, and validate algorithms (MATLAB, CUDA, etc. based) for digital electronic products and subsystems covering a wide range of applications including signal and radar processing, machine learning, network communications, and electronic warfare.

 

This is a hybrid role with some remote flexibility, and we work a 4/10 schedule with every Friday off!

 

 

 

Job Responsibilities

Job Responsibilities


•    Create signal processing and machine learning models to support faster and more accurate data analysis, under the guidance of senior engineers
•    Contribute to research and development of machine learning algorithms and techniques for applications across DRS' Signal Solutions LoB
•    Develop MATLAB/Octave system models for performance prediction of co-channel radio direction finding (DF)
•    Develop tools in MATLAB/Octave for generating system calibration tables
•    Develop tools in MATLAB/Octave for wideband RF cascade analysis, sensitivity analysis, dynamic range analysis, and phase coherency
•    Analyze test data for phase coherency using cross-correlation techniques
•    Analyze product/stakeholder specifications and requirements, and develop designs and approaches to support them within time and cost constraints, with review from senior staff
•    Responsible for completing assigned technical tasks and deliverables on time and within budget
•    May provide informal guidance or technical assistance to entry-level/junior engineers on specific tasks, but does not carry formal project leadership responsibility
•    Support root cause analysis for moderately complex issues; conduct experimental tests and evaluate results to help formulate solutions, typically under direction of a senior engineer or technical lead

•    Responsible for the technical execution of individual tasks, components, or a defined portion of a subsystem, rather than ownership of small-to-medium programs or major subsystems
•    Support review of customer specifications and requirements; assist in decomposing system requirements and SOWs into signal processing configuration item (CI) requirements using established methodologies/tools
•    Work with other IPT (Integrated Product Team) members on assigned tasks to help ensure the product/system meets operational requirements
•    Analyze designs as needed and provide input on component-level implementation, working within an architecture and technical solution defined by senior/lead engineers
•    Provide technical input and support to Business Development and Program Management as requested (e.g., data, analysis, or draft content for proposals), without leading proposal efforts
•    Begin developing working relationships with customer technical counterparts, escalating gaps/deficiencies and potential solutions to senior engineers or leads as appropriate
•    Apply the organization's defined digital design processes throughout the engineering lifecycle of assigned tasks
•    Participate in process improvement discussions when solicited, contributing feedback from hands-on task experience
•    Communicate clearly (written and oral) on task status, issues, and impacts to team members, leads, and program management; escalate significant issues rather than driving corrective action independently
•    Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 8 years of experience 
  • Mastery of technologies and domain knowledge 
  • Expected to have knowledge and significant experience in multiple engineering disciplines
  • College degree(s) in Electrical or Computer Engineering or in a related specialized area with several years of experience in the field (Bachelor's and 8 years OR MS and 6 years OR Ph.D. and 4 year of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience)
  •  Strong working knowledge of RF signal processing theories such as over/under sampling, FIRs, DDCs, DUCs, and FFTs
  • Experience supporting integration and testing of radio direction finding systems
  • Experience contributing to Amplitude/Phase Correlative Interferometric Direction Finding (CIDF) algorithm development for GPGPU architectures
  • Experience implementing DSP algorithms into FPGA structures, with growing independence
  • Ability to prototype algorithm concepts and ideas with moderate guidance
  • Proficient with scripting languages such as Python, tcl, bash, etc.

 

  • *This position has the option of being either fully onsite in our Frederick facility or partly remote (onsite Tues-Thurs).  

 

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. 
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

 

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. #AIS

Salary.com Estimation for Principal Digital Design Engineer in Frederick, MD
$185,468 to $205,961
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Principal Digital Design Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Digital Design Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$206,482 - $238,005
Income Estimation: 
$203,023 - $231,364
Income Estimation: 
$171,024 - $193,943
Income Estimation: 
$206,482 - $238,005

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Principal Digital Design Engineer.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Circuit Analysis Skill

    • Income Estimation: $236,579 - $291,450
    • Income Estimation: $302,239 - $344,936
  • Computer Simulation Skill

    • Income Estimation: $213,354 - $274,761
    • Income Estimation: $209,044 - $279,337
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Leonardo DRS

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job description: Job ID: 115586 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems ... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job description: Job ID: 114926 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems ... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job description: Job ID: 115704 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems ... more
  • 16 Days Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job ID: 115704 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the de... more
  • 16 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Digital Design Engineer jobs in the Frederick, MD area that may be a better fit.

  • Buro Happold Engineer India Private Limited Washington, DC
  • Principal Mechanical Engineer – Aviation Start designing tomorrow’s future! Are you a visionary Mechanical Engineer with a passion for innovation and a pro... more
  • 7 Days Ago

  • Buro Happold Engineer India Private Limited Washington, DC
  • Associate Principal Mechanical Engineer – Aviation Start designing tomorrow’s future! Buro Happold has an exciting opportunity for a talented and experienc... more
  • 7 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!