An apparatus and method for synchronizing a spread spectrum receiver comprises a preamble matched filter and a plurality of symbol code correlators for receiving and correlating to a received spread spectrum signal. The preamble matched filter is preferably non-coherent in nature and outputs a correlation signal including a correlation pulse of variable width. The pulse is converted to a square wave having a duration of a discrete number of chip periods. The correlation pulse is used as a timing reference for the symbol code correlators, which are also non-coherent in nature. A center seeking circuit provides an offset to the timing reference according to the width of the correlation pulse. In a preferred TDMA system, a timing window is used for a subsequent time frame for defining a period of time in which the correlation signal output from the preamble matched filter can yield a valid correlation pulse. In addition to synchronizing the symbol code correlators, the receiver clocks for synchronizing to the TDMA time frame may also be adjusted in response to the correlation pulse.