Digital Signal Processing Engineer

Role at a Glance

A senior DSP engineering role at a $1B-funded defense tech startup building next-generation radar systems. Own algorithm design end-to-end — from detection and tracking through hardware implementation — and mentor a growing team. Requires 10+ years with radar systems and depth in DSP, RF, Python, and MATLAB. Full-time on-site in the Greater Los Angeles area. Salary: $110K–$240K base plus pre-IPO equity.

What This Role Is About

CHAOS Industries is looking for an experienced DSP Engineer to take primary ownership of radar algorithm development within its systems engineering function. This is a high-autonomy, high-ownership position: you will drive new radar capabilities from concept to tested hardware, tune signal processing chains for real-time constraints, and lead field data collection campaigns. Beyond individual contribution, you will shape system requirements and serve as a technical anchor for junior engineers. The work has direct operational impact — not simulation for its own sake.

About CHAOS Industries

Founded in 2022, CHAOS Industries develops advanced sensing and detection platforms for military, commercial aviation, and border security missions. Its flagship technology — Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN™) — is designed to compress detection-to-decision timelines and give operators a decisive edge against fast-moving threats. The company has raised approximately $1 billion from 8VC, Accel, and NEA, and has grown to roughly 200 employees across offices in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, and London. Its founding team blends U.S. military operational experience with Silicon Valley engineering depth.

What You Will Do

• Architect and implement radar signal processing algorithms covering target detection, tracking, and classification
• Lead new radar capability development with a high degree of autonomy and minimal supervision
• Optimize algorithms to meet real-time execution budgets across processor, memory, and latency constraints
• Translate algorithms into software (Python, MATLAB, C++) and programmable hardware platforms such as FPGAs and DSPs
• Analyze radar datasets to benchmark system performance and surface concrete improvement opportunities
• Build and maintain simulation environments that support both algorithm iteration and performance validation
• Design and develop radar operating modes
• Contribute to system-level requirements documentation and technical specifications
• Model and simulate radar subsystems and the full signal processing chain
• Plan, execute, and debrief field data collection exercises
• Document and present technical findings and roadmap progress to leadership
• Mentor and develop junior engineers on the team

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent hands-on professional experience
• 10 or more years of direct experience working with radar systems
• In-depth understanding of radar operating principles, system architectures, and radar modes
• Strong command of signal processing fundamentals: detection theory, estimation, waveforms, and algorithms
• Working proficiency in Python or MATLAB
• Systems engineering experience with RF (Radio Frequency) systems
• Specialized knowledge in digital signal processing — modulation schemes, filter design, and detection
• Proven track record designing and validating algorithms from concept through deployment
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving ability
• Comfortable operating independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree (MS or PhD) in a STEM field or equivalent advanced experience
• Hands-on expertise with radar waveform design, matched filtering, Doppler processing, and clutter rejection techniques
• Familiarity with both sides of the Systems Engineering V — from requirements decomposition through verification and validation
• Experience developing in C++

Skills Breakdown: Required vs. Preferred

The non-negotiable technical core is radar systems depth (10+ years), DSP fundamentals (modulation, filtering, detection), and scripting fluency in Python or MATLAB, alongside RF systems engineering experience. Hardware implementation on FPGAs or DSPs is part of day-to-day work but shared across the team rather than a solo gate. The preferred tier sharpens the radar signal chain specifically: matched filtering, Doppler processing, and clutter rejection lift a candidate from competitive to exceptional. C++ and a graduate STEM degree are preferred but not required — strong practitioners with equivalent experience remain fully eligible.

Salary and Compensation

The posted base salary range is $110,000 to $240,000 per year. CHAOS Industries notes this reflects base pay only and that actual offers vary by experience, education, and relevant skills. Total compensation also includes pre-IPO stock option grants — a notable component given the company's $1B funding milestone — relocation assistance, and annual bonuses (noted as launching soon). Equity grant sizes are not disclosed in the posting. The employer explicitly encourages candidates whose expectations fall outside the stated range to apply regardless.

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance — 100% of premiums covered by the company
• 401(k) with 50% employer match on contributions up to 6% of pay
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
• Company-paid life insurance
• Free daily lunch provided on-site
• No-meeting Fridays
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• Casual dress code
• Pre-IPO stock option grants
• Relocation assistance available
• Annual bonus program (in development)

Location and Work Arrangement

This is a full-time, on-site position. The role is listed under El Segundo, CA; the posting specifies the working office is in Hawthorne, CA — both within the South Bay subregion of greater Los Angeles. No remote or hybrid arrangement is indicated. Relocation assistance is available for incoming candidates. Visa sponsorship is not addressed in the posting; candidates requiring immigration support should confirm eligibility directly with CHAOS Industries before applying.