Junior Radar Exploitation Engineer for Missile Systems

AV; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 61,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

AeroVironment in Dayton, Ohio, is seeking an entry-level Radar Exploitation Engineer to support NASIC at Wright-Patterson AFB. You will characterize foreign missile systems using line-of-sight radar data and help produce technical intelligence for warfighters, senior decision-makers, and the Intelligence Community.

The role requires a solid foundation in radar fundamentals, hands-on experience with MATLAB or Python, and the ability to communicate results clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 0-2 years of experience in radar analysis, missile systems analysis, RF signal processing, MASINT, EW, or related technical disciplines.
• Foundational understanding of radar fundamentals (radar equation, SNR, detection/tracking, antennas, beam patterns, line-of-sight propagation, basic waveforms).
• Familiarity with missile kinematics and flight phases (boost, midcourse, terminal).
• Experience with MATLAB and/or Python (NumPy/SciPy/Matplotlib) for data analysis, modeling, or signal processing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to communicate technical results clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Help characterize foreign missile systems (ballistic, cruise, hypersonic, air-to-air, surface-to-air, surface-to-surface) using line-of-sight radar data.
• Assist in extracting and interpreting radar‑derived observables (e.g., RCS, kinematics, staging events, propulsion phases, guidance behavior).
• Support analysis of time‑series radar data to identify flight phases and unique signature features.
• Apply basic signal processing and tracking techniques, under guidance, to derive kinematic/dynamic parameters from radar returns.
• Draft clear written products (technical notes, reports, briefings) that meet IC standards.
• Present findings to teammates and support briefings to NASIC and other stakeholders as experience grows.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of methods and tools for radar-based missile exploitation.

Skills

Radar analysis

RF signal processing

MASINT

SNR

U.S. Citizenship

TS/SCI eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

AeroVironment in Dayton, Ohio, is seeking an entry-level Radar Exploitation Engineer to support NASIC at Wright-Patterson AFB. You will characterize foreign missile systems using line-of-sight radar data and help produce technical intelligence for warfighters, senior decision-makers, and the Intelligence Community.

The role requires a solid foundation in radar fundamentals, hands-on experience with MATLAB or Python, and the ability to communicate results clearly.