Signal Processing Engineer

Job Title: Signal Processing Engineer

Job Description

Join a rapidly growing engineering team supporting a high-priority Navy program focused on mission-critical, real-time undersea acoustic and sonar systems. In this role, you design, implement, and optimize advanced signal processing algorithms, working across the full engineering lifecycle to deliver robust, high-throughput real-time solutions. You collaborate in an Agile environment and take full ownership of features from concept through deployment, contributing directly to the performance and reliability of complex sonar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize advanced signal processing algorithms for real-time sonar systems handling 100–300 MB/s data streams.

• Work across the full V-model lifecycle, including requirements analysis, system and software design, coding, integration, testing, and delivery.

• Perform bug fixes, performance tuning, and algorithmic enhancements to improve system accuracy, robustness, and throughput.

• Conduct hands-on testing and troubleshooting in a large-scale integration lab environment with multiple full system replicas.

• Collaborate within an Agile development framework, actively participating in sprints, sprint planning, reviews, and iterative development cycles.

• Translate complex undersea acoustic and sonar algorithms into efficient, production-quality C/C++ and Python code.

• Analyze and profile system performance, identifying bottlenecks and implementing optimizations in both algorithms and implementation.

• Use Git/GitLab for version control, branching, code review, and continuous integration workflows.

• Contribute to documentation of designs, algorithms, test procedures, and results to support integration, verification, and long-term maintainability.

• Take full ownership of assigned features and components from initial concept through deployment and support in an operational environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience.

• Strong programming skills in C and C++ as primary implementation languages.

• Proficiency in Python for scripting, tooling, and algorithm development.

• Experience using MATLAB for algorithm development, analysis, and prototyping.

• Hands-on experience with undersea acoustics and real-time sonar data processing.

• Ability to understand signal processing and acoustic algorithms at a deep level and translate them into efficient, production-quality code.

• Experience working in Linux-based software development environments.

• Familiarity with Git or GitLab for source control and collaborative development.

• Experience working in Agile development environments and participating in iterative development practices.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, with eligibility for interim clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with the ARCI (Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion) program, strongly preferred for higher-level consideration.

• Experience in designing and supporting high-throughput, real-time systems.

• Experience using VS Code or similar Linux-based integrated development environments and tools.

• Strong debugging and performance profiling skills for complex, real-time software systems.

• Experience working with large-scale integration and test environments for complex systems.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Work Environment

You work in a technically intensive environment focused on real-time sonar and undersea acoustic systems, leveraging C/C++, Python, MATLAB, and advanced signal processing techniques on Linux-based platforms. Development and collaboration take place within an Agile framework, using Git/GitLab for version control and modern Linux-based tools such as VS Code. The role includes substantial hands-on work in a large, approximately 100,000 square foot integration laboratory that houses multiple full system replicas, enabling end-to-end integration, testing, and performance tuning in a realistic setting. The environment emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership of features from design through deployment, with a strong focus on reliability, performance, and mission-critical delivery.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $80.00/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 Manassas,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.