What we are looking for

We're searching for a Senior Staff Signal Processing Engineer to help build the next generation of advanced lidar. This role seeks a subject matter expert to lead the development, testing and implementation of DSP algorithms, pipelines and development tools from simulation through to custom silicon, offering the opportunity to lead architectural strategy through close collaboration with photonics, R&D, and electrical engineering teams.

In this role you will

• Architect Core DSP Pipelines: Lead the algorithmic strategy, modeling, and architectural implementation of end-to-end signal processing pipelines for next-generation coherent lidar systems.
• Optimize for Hardware Execution: Translate high-level mathematical models into compute-optimized architectures, targeting modern embedded platforms (FPGAs/SIMD) and guiding the hardware specification for future custom silicon (ASIC).
• Bridge Physics and Hardware: Partner closely with photonics, optical R&D, and electrical engineering teams to map physical optical properties and system noise dynamics into practical digital processing algorithms and system requirements.
• Build Simulation & Tooling Environments: Develop scalable, first-principles simulation frameworks and prototyping tools to validate algorithms prior to silicon bring-up and evaluate key trade-offs between performance, power, and area.
• Verification and Bring-Up: Drive the testing, verification, and performance tuning of DSP IP across simulation, hardware emulation targets, initial ASIC silicon bring-up, and real-world system testing.

Required qualifications

• Education & Experience: BSc, MSc or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field, paired with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in advanced DSP design.
• Advanced Mathematical & DSP Foundation: Expert-level mastery of foundational and advanced signal processing mathematics (e.g., spectral estimation, filtering, phase recovery, modulation/demodulation, detection theory and noise mitigation).
• Relevant Cross-Industry Expertise: Proven track record applying advanced DSP principles within signal-dense domains such as modern radar systems, optical or RF telecommunications, or computational physics.
• Embedded Hardware Targeting: Demonstrated experience mapping and optimizing high-throughput algorithms onto hardware architectures with tight latency, bandwidth, and compute constraints (FPGAs, SoC/SIMD vector engines, and/or ASICs).
• High-Level Modeling Skills: Expert proficiency in Python, C/C++, or MATLAB for modeling, simulation, algorithmic verification, and data analysis.

Desirable qualifications

• High Speed Mixed Signal Integration: Familiarity with high-speed optical/RF front-ends, ADCs/DACs, and the associated digital impairment compensation techniques.
• ASIC Transition Experience: Hands on experience taking complex DSP algorithms from FPGA/SIMD prototyping platforms to custom silicon (ASIC microarchitecture specification, fixed-point optimization, and silicon validation).
• Physics-Based System Modeling: Experience building first-principles models of physical wave propagation, optical coherent detection, RF/optical channel dynamics, or sensor front-end hardware non-idealities.
• Vector & SIMD Optimization: Background writing low-level, compute-optimized code for SIMD architectures, vector engines, or modern DSP hardware accelerators.

For roles based in Mountain View, CA: The salary range for this position is $212,000 - $307,000 per year.

For roles based in Louisville, CO or Bozeman, MT: The salary range for this position is $191,000 - $277,000 per year.

Aurora's pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together - all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization's long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.