DSP Algorithms Engineer

Senior DSP Algorithms Engineer - Coherent Optical Systems

Location: Austin, TX (Onsite - 5 days/week)

Role Summary Senior individual contributor responsible for system-level verification and stress testing of coherent optical DSP algorithms prior to silicon tape-out. The focus is on breaking the design early by exposing algorithmic and system-level weaknesses under realistic and worst-case optical conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform end-to-end system-level DSP verification (Tx → Fiber → Rx) for coherent optical systems.
• Design aggressive stress tests, corner cases, and adversarial scenarios to uncover latent issues pre-tape-out.
• Build and refine optical channel and impairment models (dispersion, non-linearities, noise, laser effects).
• Apply deep DSP algorithm knowledge to intentionally attack weak points.
• Partner with DSP designers to define performance metrics, analyze failures, and drive root-cause fixes.
• Develop and automate verification frameworks using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools.
• Own verification strategy independently in a distributed team environment.

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• Deep expertise in coherent optical communications DSP with hands-on industry experience.

• Strong background in DSP algorithm development and system-level (pre-silicon) verification.

• Solid understanding of:

• Optical fiber channel behavior & physical impairments

• Coherent receiver architectures & signal processing chains

• Extensive experience with DSP modeling/simulation (MATLAB, Python, C/C++, SystemC).

• Ability to independently define and execute complex verification strategies.

• EE or related degree (BS/MS/PhD); experience matters more than degree.

• Commercial/industrial experience (not purely academic).

Nice to Have

• RTL or hardware implementation awareness
• AFE behavior and DSP interaction
• Fixed-point modeling, ASIC/DSP constraints
• FEC (LDPC, RS, OFEC), mixed-signal effects (jitter, PLL/CDR)

Other Details

• Work Authorization: H1-B sponsorship available / USC / GC
• Interview Process: 3 rounds (approx. 2 weeks)
• Compensation: Competitive base + equity
• Relocation: Case-by-case