This paper introduces a model-based environment and its application in the parallel signal processing domain. The key concepts of the approach are the domain-specific model-based programming environment and the automatic software synthesis technique enabling non-software engineers to build complex applications. Graphical model building, multiple aspects, hierarchy, and multiple views help manage the complexity of the application. The configurable model builder and the unified run-time support make the use of the same core technology in different domains possible. In the parallel signal processing domain, the signal flow graph, the hardware topology and resources, and the assignment constraints are modelled. A macro dataflow graph is generated from the signal flow model, then partitioned and mapped onto the processor network satisfying the assignment constraints. The required makefiles, message routing maps, and network loader configuration files are also automatically generated. Different system engineering tools provide hardware topology verification and performance prediction based on information extracted from the models.