Digital Signal Processing Engineer

Digital Signal Processing Engineer - Spacecraft Communications

Join CatalyX Space in Ahmedabad, India, as a Digital Signal Processing Engineer specializing in spacecraft communication systems. This role involves the design, implementation, and optimization of advanced signal-processing algorithms and firmware for S-band and X-band satellite communication. You will work across baseband processing, modulation/demodulation, coding, synchronization, and FPGA/SoC implementations. A key part of this role includes hardware/software integration and validation using industry-standard tools like GNU Radio and Software Defined Radio (SDR) platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms for modulation, demodulation, filtering, synchronization, Forward Error Correction (FEC), and channel estimation.
• Develop real-time signal-processing pipelines for Software Defined Radio (SDR), FPGAs, and embedded processors.
• Implement Physical Layer (PHY) algorithms, including BPSK, QPSK, OQPSK, 8PSK, and DVB-S2, in fixed-point and hardware-efficient formats.
• Utilize GNU Radio and similar tools for algorithm simulation, prototyping, and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) validation.
• Integrate DSP modules with RF front-ends and transceivers operating in S-band and X-band frequencies.
• Collaborate with hardware and firmware teams on the co-design of FPGA/SoC architectures.
• Perform link simulations, Bit Error Rate (BER) analysis, and channel modeling for satellite communication links.
• Optimize processing chains for latency, throughput, and power consumption in embedded environments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)/Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or Master of Engineering (M.E.)/Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Electronics, Electrical, Communications, or a related field.
• 2 to 6 years of experience in DSP algorithm development for RF or wireless systems.
• Strong understanding of communications theory, including modulation, coding, synchronization, and spectral efficiency.
• Background in error-correction coding (e.g., LDPC, Turbo, Reed–Solomon) and its hardware implementation.
• Experience with Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) or worst-case analysis for DSP/FPGA subsystems.
• Hands-on experience with FPGA DSP implementation using VHDL/Verilog or High-Level Synthesis (HLS), and embedded microcontrollers (MCUs).
• Proficiency in GNU Radio, MATLAB/Simulink, or Python for algorithm design and verification.
• Familiarity with SDR hardware platforms.
• Understanding of RF front-end characteristics such as gain, Noise Figure (NF), Bandwidth (BW), and I/Q balance.

Nice to Have:

• Knowledge of space communication protocols like DVB-S2/X or CCSDS.
• Experience with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) or Linux driver development for SDR systems.
• Familiarity with advanced techniques such as beamforming, MIMO, or adaptive modulation.
• Experience in satellite communications, CubeSat payloads, or ground-station SDRs.
• Experience with co-simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB↔FPGA, GNU Radio↔SoC).

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary (details to be shared with shortlisted candidates).
• Health insurance.
• Provident fund.