Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate / DSP Engineer

Company DescriptionC-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of mobile satellite-based antenna systems. The Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG) and the Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS) at the University of Waterloo, in partnership with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., are launching a one-year research and development project on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments. Funded under Innovative Solutions Canada in support of DND/DRDC, the project will design, build, and operate an instrumented over-the-air (OTA) Ka-band testbed to evaluate three anti-jamming approaches — adaptive array processing (null steering, MVDR/LCMV), blind search-based nulling, and a CRPA-inspired digital sensing array (MUSIC/ESPRIT) — together with resilient air-interface techniques and Arctic deployment scenarios. The work advances the technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 and delivers anti-jamming design guidelines, measurement datasets, and a commercialization pathway through C-COM. C-COM is publicly traded on both the Canadian Venture Exchange (CVE: CMI) and the US OTC Exchange (OTC: CYNSF), offering a dynamic environment for technical innovation and professional growth. Role Description This position develops and experimentally evaluates the adaptive signal-processing algorithms at the core of the program, spanning the three technical thrusts and the resilient air-interface and Arctic additional outcomes. Qualifications • Develop and evaluate adaptive beamforming and nulling on Ka-band phased arrays to establish jamming-suppression limits (Thrust 1). • Develop blind search-based anti-jamming for single-output, analog-beamformed terminals, and characterize suppression depth, reaction latency, and robustness (Thrust 2). • Develop subspace direction-of-arrival estimation for a low-element-count digital sensing array and drive real-time null placement on the communication beamformer (Thrust 3). • Evaluate resilient air-interface techniques — direct-sequence spread spectrum, adaptive modulation and coding, and frequency hopping — combined with spatial mitigation (Additional Outcome 1). • Model and assess anti-jamming performance under Arctic-relevant low-elevation and scintillation conditions (Additional Outcome 2). • Implement algorithms for real-time operation (FPGA/embedded or GPU), benchmark latency, and analyze datasets against the common program metrics. Required Qualifications • PhD (for the Postdoctoral Fellow level), or an MASc/PhD or a B.Eng. with strong relevant experience (for the Research Associate / Engineer level), in statistical/array signal processing, wireless communications, or a related field. • Strong background in adaptive arrays, direction-of-arrival estimation, and/or interference mitigation and anti-jamming. • Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm development and analysis. • Working knowledge of SATCOM/LEO links and resilient waveforms (spread spectrum, adaptive modulation and coding, frequency hopping). Preferred / Asset Qualifications Ka-band or mmWave phased-array and digital-array design experience. • Experience with multilayer/PCB packaging or integration of mmWave arrays, and with manufacturability for production transfer. • Familiarity with SATCOM terminals, CRPA/sensing-array concepts, and beamforming hardware. Terms and Conditions Position type Full-time, one-year term (renewable, contingent on performance and continued funding) Anticipated start September/October 2026 Location University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON); Level Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate, or Engineer (1.0 FTE) Compensation Commensurate with qualifications and experience Eligibility and Security This project supports a Government of Canada defence program. Depending on the role, the successful applicant may be required to be eligible for a Canadian security clearance and to comply with the Controlled Goods Program and applicable Canadian export-control regulations. Canadian citizenship or permanent residency may therefore be required for some positions. Please indicate your eligibility in your application. How To Apply Please submit (i) a cover letter describing your fit for the role, (ii) a detailed CV, (iii) the names and contact information of two to three references to sboumaiz@uwaterloo.ca. Please quote the position title in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.