Embedded Systems Software Engineer (hybrid- Aberdeen, Maryland)

Embedded Systems Software Engineer About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Embedded Systems Software Engineer to join our advanced communications and defense technology team. This role will focus on developing and integrating embedded software for next-generation Software Defined Radio Heads (SDRH) and multi-band RF systems supporting Department of War objectives and CMOSS/MORA standards. You will work on mission-critical systems enabling wideband RF operations (30 MHz – 6 GHz), antenna sharing, frequency translation, and digital IQ streaming for military environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize embedded software for Zynq UltraScale+ SoCs, including ARM-based Processing System (PS) and FPGA-based Programmable Logic (PL).
• Develop drivers and control logic for Analog Devices ADRV900x transceivers supporting LO tuning, bandwidth configuration, gain control, and delay estimation.
• Implement RESTful APIs for system configuration and control (LO tuning, bandwidth, antenna selection, RSSI, gain tables).
• Integrate boot sequences and initialization routines for RF front-end components (RFFE), including T/R switches, attenuators, and power amplifiers.
• Collaborate with FPGA engineers to implement digital upconversion/downconversion (DUC/DDC), decimation/interpolation, and frequency shift logic in PL.
• Develop embedded software for real-time RF control, including dynamic LO frequency adjustments, bandwidth algorithms, and gain vs. frequency correction.
• Ensure compliance with NTIA spectral emission masks, transmit/receive isolation, and dynamic range requirements.
• Integrate with CMOSS/MORA frameworks, including MORA Signal Port Manager (MSPM) and orchestration APIs.
• Develop automated test scripts for embedded software validation and perform hardware-in-the-loop testing for RF signal paths and embedded control logic.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years experience in embedded systems development for RF or SDR platforms.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Python, and embedded Linux development.
• Experience with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ SoCs, including PS and PL integration.
• Familiarity with RF concepts: LO tuning, bandwidth filtering, gain control, T/R switching.
• Hands-on experience with ADRV900x transceivers and related APIs.
• Knowledge of FPGA/DSP concepts: DUC/DDC, decimation/interpolation, NCO frequency shifts.
• Understanding of Ethernet-based control protocols, REST APIs, and real-time systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MORA/CMOSS standards and modular RF architectures.
• Familiarity with high-power RF front-end design, antenna sharing, and isolation techniques.
• Knowledge of digital IQ streaming, serialization/deserialization, and high-throughput data handling.
• Background in defense communications systems and compliance with NTIA/DoD specifications.

Tools & Technologies

• Xilinx Vivado, Vitis, and embedded Linux toolchains.
• Analog Devices API libraries for ADRV transceivers.
• Git, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.
• RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, signal generators).

Key Projects & Challenges

• Implement LO null workaround for ADRV9009 transceivers using NCO frequency shifts and DSP adjustments.
• Optimize decimation and interpolation modes (2, 8, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512) for high-performance IQ streaming.
• Develop antenna sharing logic across multiple radios and frequency bands while maintaining isolation and minimizing insertion loss.
• Design tunable narrow-band filters to achieve isolation in multi-band shared antenna architectures.
• Integrate dynamic gain vs. frequency correction algorithms for real-time RF control.
• Ensure compliance with NTIA spurious emissions specifications through advanced filtering and PA harmonic rejection.

Compensation- Salary At Fairwinds, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location and experience. Additional incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full time, exempt position.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Must be eligible to work in the US.

AAP/EEO Statement Fairwinds Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity