---
title: 'Signal Processing Engineer at CoVar'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/signal-processing-engineer-covar-durham-xqaedd0ghr6t'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Signal Processing Engineer at CoVar

- **Company:** CoVar
- **Location:** Durham, NC
- **Posted:** 2025-09-08
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/covar/jobs/4865336007

## Job description

Signal Processing Engineer

## About CoVar

CoVar is a small AI/ML R&D software company in Durham, NC, that uses artificial intelligence to solve problems that matter. We develop AI/ML tools to help the DoD detect enemies and threats, help biomedical researchers find new cures for diseases, and help monitor machinery to prevent injuries and environmental catastrophes. We are passionate engineers, dedicated to pushing the bounds of what AI/ML can do in the real world.

## About this position

You will help CoVar develop signal processing algorithms and software to solve real-world customer problems. You will develop novel and advanced algorithms for sense making and sensor decision making for applications in the RF domain to include detection, localization, classification, tracking and EW. You will design and implement simulations for these RF applications as well as evaluate results on real world data. You will have the opportunity to present your work to high-level customers in the DoD and in the industry. The position includes opportunities to publish novel work in both classified and unclassified settings.

## Key Responsibilities

- 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 (Software-Defined Radios).
- 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.

## Minimum qualifications

- 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 one or more of the following programming languages: Python, C/C++, or MATLAB.
- Experience in the following areas:
- 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

## Preferred qualifications

- 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.

## Benefits

- Competitive salary, cash bonus, equity structure, and 401k with employer contributions
- Excellent health care coverage, including dental and vision plans
- Parental leave
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible work schedule
- Tuition support
- PTO and paid holidays

Visit us: www.covar.com

## About CoVar

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: CoVar is a small AI/ML R&D software company that creates customized algorithms and decision-support tools for defense, healthcare, and industrial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Bootstrapped; no public funding rounds disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Durham, North Carolina, United States (with additional office in McLean, Virginia)
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Mark Hibbard and Martin Milner; expanded through acquisition of New Folder Consulting (2013) with Dr. Peter Torrione and Dr. Kenneth D. Morton, Jr. as chief technologists.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense & Space, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Aided Target Recognition
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), biomedical researchers, industrial operators (B2G/B2B)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Deliver more than cutting-edge technology – a one-of-a-kind company that delivers unique smart sensing and automation solutions to our clients.”

## Products & Services
For each major offering:
- **ODIN**: AI-powered decision support tool that turns battlefield data into real-time, actionable insight on friendly forces, adversary activity, ISR coverage, and mission progress.
- **ACES**: Multi-tiered automatic target recognition (ATR) software with patented algorithms for detecting tiny unresolved distant targets, mid-range objects, and providing targeting information.
- **BullsEye**: Software architecture that decouples mission capability from specific airframes and payloads, enabling rapid AI-powered ISR upgrades via software updates.
- **ATLAS (Advanced Targeting & Lethality Aided System)**: Custom machine learning algorithms for detecting threats in infrared and RGB imagery at extreme distances, developed for the U.S. Army.
- **Custom AI/ML Solutions**: Tailored algorithms for defense, healthcare (e.g., disease cure discovery), and industrial monitoring (e.g., machinery to prevent injuries and environmental catastrophes).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not disclosed; revenue not publicly available. Notable contract: Direct-to-Phase II SBIR from the U.S. Air Force and a DARPA contract for Predictive Psychological Architectures for Decision-Making (PPADM) program (announced April 2026).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors reported. Key partners include DARPA, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and biomedical research institutions.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 25.8% YoY (26 employees as of mid-2026); LinkedIn followers increased 71% year-over-year; active job postings grew 50% quarterly; DARPA and SBIR contract wins signal expanding government trust.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Specific moats or differentiators**: Over a decade of experience in custom AI/ML for defense; patented algorithms for aided target recognition at extreme distances; ability to decouple software from hardware (BullsEye); deep relationships with DoD and DARPA; small, agile team with high technical expertise (51% of staff in technical roles).

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities and direction for growth**: Continue expanding AI/ML solutions for defense (especially real-time battlefield decision support and autonomous target recognition), while growing healthcare and industrial monitoring applications. Emphasis on software-driven upgrades over hardware replacement.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture highlights**: Small, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists; values integrity, creativity, dependability, and diversity; passionate about solving serious problems with cutting-edge technology.
- **Remote/hybrid/office policy**: Flexible work schedule; likely on-site/hybrid given defense contracts (offices in Durham, NC and McLean, VA).
- **Notable perks or engineering culture**: Competitive salary, cash bonus, equity structure, 401k with employer contributions; excellent health/dental/vision plans; opportunity to work on high-impact national security and biomedical projects; constant experimentation and prototyping at the edge of AI/ML.

## Sources
1. [covar.com](https://covar.com/) – Homepage and technology areas
2. [covar.com/about-us](https://covar.com/about-us/) – About Us (history, values)
3. [covar.com/careers-local](https://covar.com/careers-local/) – Careers page (benefits, culture)
4. [linkedin.com/company/covar-llc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/covar-llc) – Company details, workforce, growth
5. [theorg.com/org/covar](https://theorg.com/org/covar) – Org chart, team structure

## Other roles at CoVar

- [Field Operations Advisor, Army Programs](https://feeny.ai/job/field-operations-advisor-army-programs-covar-durham-ebwx57vydvn3) — Durham, NC
- [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-covar-durham-e0xnxda82mcn) — Durham, NC
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-covar-durham-ar0hdvxt0jdh) — Durham, NC
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-covar-mclean-k6gerwpesfw2) — Mclean, VA
- [Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/signal-processing-engineer-neuralink-austin-texas-0svv4a7jkn6b) — Austin Texas, United States / South San Francisco California, United States