What Does a Signal Processing Engineer Do And How Can You Become One?
The field of electrical and electronic engineering offers a vast range of specialised career paths.
Among these many niche disciplines within the overarching electronic engineering sector, signal processing engineers are responsible for evaluating digital signals and improving their efficiency.
In this article, we'll explore what a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engineer does, what skills and qualifications are required, and how you can find DSP jobs. Let’s take a deeper look:
Signal Processing Engineering Career Guide
What is a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engineer?
A digital signal processing engineer (sometimes referred to as a DSP engineer) is a professional who analyses, configures and optimises digital signal processing systems and algorithms. By processing the data encrypted within digital signals, DSP engineers find ways to improve the reliability, accuracy and availability of digital signals. In our modern world, where digital signals are becoming ever more essential for the day-to-day running of our lives, the role of the DSP engineer is becoming more vital than ever. Due to the specialised skill set required, digital signal processing jobs are often well-compensated and provide opportunities for career growth.
Career Opportunities for DSP Engineers
DSP engineers can work across a wide range of industries, from research and development to product engineering. Sectors like wireless communications, IoT, networking, audio, video, radar, automotive, and even electronic warfare rely on DSP engineers to enhance their systems.
Despite challenges in other sectors, the UK electronics engineering industry has continued to grow, reports indicate strong potential for career advancement in signal processing. Skilled DSP professionals are well-positioned to benefit from this growth.
Key Skills And Requirements Of A DSP Engineer
Before the advent of machine learning, signal processing engineers were required to have mathematical capabilities that would allow them to conduct highly complex long-hand calculations and input the data into filter systems.
While this level of knowledge is still incredibly useful in this profession, DSP engineers are now much more inclined towards machine learning elements, such as architecting their own algorithms.
Key skills for DSP engineers include:
- Applied Mathematics
- Programming and software development
- Problem-solving abilities
- Domain-specific knowledge
When applying for DSP engineering jobs, candidates with proficiency in various programming languages like C/C++, MATLAB and Python can be a significant advantage. While not every DSP engineer needs to be an expert coder, having a foundational knowledge of these languages will set you apart in the job market.
In terms of education, most DSP engineers (signal processing engineers) usually hold a bachelor’s degree, at a minimum, in a discipline such as electrical engineering, mathematics, communications engineering, or physics.
While a master's degree or PhD isn't always required, advanced qualifications can lead to higher-paying opportunities, as they often involve in-depth knowledge of Fourier transforms, linear algebra, and optimisation.
As you progress throughout your digital signal engineering career, your responsibilities will naturally evolve. For example, an entry-level DSP engineer will be expected to require several iterations before achieving their most efficient output, whereas a senior-level engineer will be expected to arrive at the bug-free version from the get-go. Likewise, entry-level signal processing engineers are usually not involved in making suggestions to upper management, whereas senior-level DSP engineers often are.
Career Development As A DSP Engineer
If you're interested in DSP engineering but lack the experience in this particular niche, you can consider transitioning from related fields in electronics, electrical, instrumentation, or software engineering. Specialised signal processing courses can help bridge the gap and align your skill set with DSP roles.
Some of the world’s most cutting-edge technologies, such as smart cities and Silicon Valley’s tech projects, depend on signal processing engineers. This makes DSP a future proof career with considerable potential for growth.
Find Signal Processing Jobs with Redline
Now that you understand the role of a digital signal processing engineer and the career prospects in this field, it's time to explore job opportunities. As a well-established technology recruiter, changing lives every day, Redline can help you take your next step in your DSP career. Browse signal processing jobs with us today and find a rewarding role in this fast growing industry.