Full-Time
Signal Processing Engineer
CoVar
11-50 employees
Custom AI/ML solutions for mission-critical sectors
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Durham, NC, USA
In Person
US Top Secret Clearance Required
 Electrical Engineering (2) |
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- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in RF signal processing or a related discipline
- Strong proficiency in Python, C/C++, or MATLAB
- Experience in RF signal processing, electronic warfare, optimization, array processing, machine learning, adaptive signal processing, AI/ML algorithm development, radar modeling, RF propagation
- Ability to work with cross-functional engineering teams and clearly communicate complex technical concepts
- Ability to work in Durham, NC (relocation assistance available)
- Eligibility for US security clearance
- Algorithm Development: Design, implement, and optimize signal and array processing algorithms for RF applications, detection, localization, tracking, channel estimation, beamforming, and spectral analysis
- Data Analysis: Process and interpret RF datasets for signal detection, classification, tracking, parameter estimation, and pattern recognition
- Prototyping & Testing: Develop simulation models (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and implement algorithms on real-time platforms such as FPGAs, GPUs, or SDRs
- RF System Integration: Collaborate with hardware engineers to integrate digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms into RF systems and ensure optimal end-to-end performance
- Performance Evaluation: Conduct laboratory and field testing to validate system performance under various operational conditions
- Research & Innovation: Stay up to date with emerging RF technologies, advanced signal processing techniques, and industry best practices
- Documentation: Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
- Experience with Radar signal processing in Department of Defense (DoD) specific applications including electronic warfare (EW) techniques such as electronic support measures, attack, protection, and cognitive EW
- AI/ML algorithm design in the areas of computer vision, reinforcement learning (RL), and natural language processing
- Spectrum monitoring and signal classification using machine learning techniques
- Translating the mission needs of DoD customers into an end-to-end technical solution
- Proposal development and proposal writing
- Familiarity with FPGA or GPU acceleration for high-performance DSP
- Proficiency in C/C++ for embedded or real-time applications
- Active U.S. security clearance
CoVar develops customized machine learning and AI software for defense, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Its solutions are mission-critical systems built to operate reliably on high-stakes tasks, such as monitoring safety systems in drilling operations. The company starts by understanding a client’s unique challenges and then uses its team of technologists to apply AI and ML techniques to create tailored software and services. For example, its Adaptive Alarms software, developed with partners like Shell and Pason, uses advanced algorithms to prevent disasters on offshore and land drilling rigs, protecting workers and the environment. CoVar differentiates itself by delivering specialized, high-value, robust software rather than generic tools, emphasizing reliability and safety in demanding environments. The company’s goal is to be a trusted partner that helps large organizations improve performance, safety, and operational capabilities through customized AI solutions.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
McLean, Virginia
Founded
2011
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- DARPA Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract accelerates VectoredAI human-AI teaming development.
- Partnership with Dr. Jim Neidhoefer enhances VectoredAI using statistical subjective quantification.
- Largest labeled oil-gas drilling imagery collection bolsters industrial AI training data.
What critics are saying
- DARPA FY2026 cuts terminate PPADM-ASIMOV, slashing 70% defense revenue in 12-18 months.
- Palantir AIP undercuts CoVar on Shell sensor contracts with faster deployment in 6-12 months.
- OpenAI o1 outperforms VectoredAI, pivoting DARPA funding and obsoleting tech in 12-24 months.
What makes CoVar unique
- CoVar develops VectoredAI aligning AI with decision-makers' personalities for DARPA PPADM.
- CoVar's GEARS software tests ethical AI dilemmas under DARPA ASIMOV program.
- CoVar's ROBOKOP integrates 30 biomedical sources into natural-language search engine.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
401(k) Retirement Plan
Flexible Work Hours
Tuition Reimbursement
Company News
CoVar, a US Department of Defence AI specialist, has been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract by DARPA for its Predictive Psychological Architectures for Decision-Making programme. The contract supports development of VectoredAI, a dynamic human-AI teaming model that uses probabilistic key decision-maker attributes and latent semantic steering to align AI solutions with critical decision-makers' personalities. The PPADM programme aims to improve understanding of how individual characteristics influence decision-making behaviour, particularly in high-uncertainty, time-constrained scenarios where decision-makers disagree or have conflicting values. CoVar is partnering with Dr Jim Neidhoefer, combining CoVar's GEARS software with Neidhoefer's statistical methods for quantifying subjective factors. The award continues CoVar's work building trusted AI solutions for mission-critical defence systems.
CoVar awarded Direct-to-Phase II DARPA SBIR contract for Predictive Psychological Architectures for Decision-Making (PPADM). PR Newswire Today at 9:05am PDT MCLEAN, Va., April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - CoVar, a small business specializing in advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, today announced it has been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The award supports a DARPA effort titled Predictive Psychological Architectures for Decision-Making (PPADM). The PPADM program aims to advance the scientific understanding of how individual decision-maker characteristics influence behavior, with the goal of improving both human and algorithmic decision-making, delegation, and trust. Focus will be placed on decision-making in difficult domains with high uncertainty, time and/or resource constrained scenarios, and circumstances in which decision-makers disagree or have conflicting values. CoVar will be responsible for developing VectoredAI, a dynamic human-AI teaming model that leverages probabilistic key decision-maker attributes (KDMAs) and latent semantic steering. VectoredAI is intended to provide a plug-in capability to help align AI solutions with personalities and considerations for critical decision makers. CoVar has teamed with Dr. Jim Neidhoefer to bring complimentary expertise in developing VectoredAI. CoVar's GEARS software, developed under DARPA's ASIMOV program, enables users to design world scenarios and evaluate dilemmas in terms of tensions and conflicts, supporting automated testing of both algorithmic and human decision making. Dr. Neidhoefer has developed statistical methods for quantifying and aggregating hard-to-measure subjective factors (like KDMAs) in addition to a methodology for aligning human and algorithmic decision making. "Barriers to AI adoption in mission critical and safety critical systems remains high due to lack of human trust," said Dr. Pete Torrione, CTO at CoVar. "Our proposed VectoredAI solution to PPADM will expand on what is already known about human decision making to identify key trust-building factors that reduce friction in human-AI interactions and humans' willingness to delegate difficult decisions to AI." The Direct-to-Phase II award represents CoVar's continued leadership in building trusted and responsible AI/ML solutions for the Department of Defense; ultimately leading to more rapid adoption of AI for mission critical systems. SOURCE CoVar This is a paid placement. For further inquiries, please contact PR Newswire directly.
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CoVar, a leading developer of AI and machine learning solutions for the Department of Defense, has been awarded a multi-year contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to support the Autonomy Standards and Ideals with Military Operational Values (ASIMOV) program. The goal of the program is to establish a framework that quantitatively measures the ethical readiness of autonomous systems, a crucial step as these systems gain widespread adoption across military and civilian sectors