Work with cutting edge AI technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world's most challenging technical problems in the rapidly growing counter-drone sector.
Our customers operate in some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world, including military organisations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcement. Protecting airspace in these settings requires technology that performs under pressure and teams that understand what's at stake. At DroneShield, employees work at the leading edge of counter-drone innovation, helping to address real-world security challenges as drone threats continue to evolve globally.
With one of the largest listed defence company market capitalisations in Australia, now part of the ASX200 index, DroneShield is experiencing a period of hypergrowth. Revenue has surged from A$57 million in 2024 to over A$190 million in 2025, representing growth of more than 400% year-on-year, with record profitability and cashflow. The total addressable global market for counter-drone is assessed at approximately $100 billion, and is currently at the nascent stage with much of the growth still to come, with DroneShield well positioned as a global market leader, and the only public listed pure-play business in this sector.
The company has grown from 11 employees in 2017 to over 450 staff globally today, and is on track to reach around 550 by the end of 2026. This expansion includes investment of over A$50 million annually in R&D, a global pipeline exceeding A$2.5 billion, and continuous scaling of production capacity to meet accelerating demand.
The role is based at DroneShield's central Sydney headquarters. Overseas on-the-ground presence includes Virginia (USA), Netherlands, Denmark, Mexico and Dubai, as well as distributors in over 70 countries worldwide.
About The Role
DroneShield is seeking an RF Algorithms Engineer with relevant experience to join the team in Adelaide, Australia. The ideal candidate has a strong background in digital signal processing, wireless communications, and transmission waveform/protocol analysis, with experience in physical layer algorithms development including packet and signal detection, synchronisation and channel decoding. Understanding of the multiple access techniques including FHSS, TDMA, OFDMA/SC-FDMA will be highly desired. The position will report to the Director of Engineering, Sensors and Effectors.
The primary focus of the role is to research and develop DroneShield's next generation of Capabilities, working closely with ML/AI, Data Science, RF and infrastructure teams to innovate and enhance DroneShield's world leading Counter-Drone technology. It represents an exceptional opportunity for a result-driven individual in a new niche but exploding market.
*Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations*
* Analyse real-world wireless signals to identify modulation schemes (OFDM, QPSK, QAM, FSK, etc.), waveform/protocol parameters and packet structures.
* Analyse and decode physical layer MIMO signal waveforms for LTE, 5G NR, Wi-Fi, and other wireless technologies.
* Understand and analyse frequency-hopped TDMA, OFDMA and SC-FDMA packet structures, including frame layouts, signal transmission patterns, pilots and preambles, and control/data channels.
* Develop algorithms for signal demodulation, synchronisation, detection and decoding.
* Develop and maintain evaluation pipelines for validating PHY layer protocols against real-world over-the-air captures.
* Conduct detailed system testing, unit testing, and performance benchmarking to ensure the reliability and robustness of protocol decoding techniques.
* Collaborate with R&D teams to provide insights on protocol behaviour and anomalies.
* Document engineering analysis methodology and results clearly
* Profile and optimize engineering analysis workflows for computational and memory efficiency, particularly during data processing and decoding.
* Implement automated processes and CI/CD pipelines for waveform processing, engineering analysis, and protocol simulation workflows.
* Read, interpret, and analyse technical specifications and standards for wireless protocols (e.g., 3GPP, IEEE, proprietary specs) to aid in mapping or reconstruction.
* Stay up to date with emerging wireless technologies, engineering analysis tools, SDR platforms, and communication standards.
Qualifications, Experience And Skills
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, or a related field.
* 5+ years of experience in RF, communication protocols, and digital signal processing, preferably in the context of counter-UAS or electronic warfare systems. Demonstrable in-depth hobbyist experience also considered.
The following attributes would be essential:
* Strong knowledge of wireless communications PHY standards such as 4G LTE, 5G, and Wi-Fi
* Strong knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP): Linear systems, Frequency domain analysis, Time-frequency spectrogram analysis, filtering techniques, multirate signal processing, phase/frequency estimation, correlation etc.
* Deep understanding of multiple access techniques like FHSS, TDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA based wireless protocols: frame structures, broadcast signals, control channels, and data channels.
* Experience with detection and analysis of digitally modulated signals: OFDM, QPSK, QAM, FSK, and other common wireless modulations.
* Experience with MIMO space-time diversity and spatial multiplexing techniques using multiple antennas.
* Understanding of large- and small-scale signal fading, wireless channel modelling and simulation.
* Proficient in signal processing algorithm development and software tools: MATLAB, Python (NumPy, SciPy), GNURadio, Simulink.
* Solid understanding of RF and baseband signal chains, including ADCs, digital down converters, filters and SNR, BER, and EVM based analysis.
* Ability to analyse signals in noisy and multipath environments.
* Experience with RF test equipment, including spectrum analysers, signal generators, VNAs, oscilloscopes, etc.
The following attributes would be highly desirable:
* Experience with SDR platforms.
* Familiarity with real-time signal processing and embedded systems.
* Knowledge of cryptography in wireless protocols.
* MATLAB or Python programming experience for algorithm prototyping.
* Knowledge of electronic warfare (EW) systems and counter-UAS technologies.
* Knowledge of machine learning concepts and how they are applied to solve problems in RF sensing.
Note for recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters unless specifically instructed.