Lead Electronic Warfare System Architect

Boeing; Tukwila (WA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 239,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Boeing Phantom Works is seeking a Lead Electronic Warfare (EW) System Architect to lead architecture and system-level design for advanced EW systems at Tukwila or Kent WA. Role requires bridging RF hardware, radar and EW processing, firmware and embedded software to deliver mission-ready capabilities.

The candidate will author technical papers, present findings to customers, guide R&D efforts, and coordinate with programs of record to mature technologies for operational platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field.
• 14+ years with a BS, 12+ with a MS, or 9+ with a PhD.
• 10+ years in RF systems for EW, SIGNIT or cyber.
• Hands-on EW and radar techniques; firmware and embedded software knowledge.
• Experience with EW principles and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the EW/radar system architecture end-to-end.
• Translate mission needs into system requirements.
• Lead trade studies balancing EW/radar capability vs vehicle constraints.
• Architect software-defined EW/radar solutions and HW/SW partitioning.
• Provide leadership for electronics design, RF front-end, and DSP processing.
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, thermal and vehicle teams.
• Mentor teams in HIL testing, MBSD, and algorithm validation.
• Work with suppliers to define interfaces and verification criteria.
• Author white papers and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

RF systems experience

EW techniques

Radar techniques

Embedded software

System architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree (MS)

PhD

Tools

VHDL/Verilog

DSP/FPGA platforms

Job description

Job Description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

Position

Boeing Phantom Works is seeking a Lead Electronic Warfare (EW) System Architect to lead the technical architecture and system-level design for advanced EW systems within multiple Phantom Works proprietary programs at our Tukwila or Kent WA locations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in EW and radar system development spanning electronics design & test, firmware and embedded software development & test, EW and radar techniques, and low SWaP software-defined systems.

This role requires translating mission needs into cutting edge architectures that meet vehicle performance constraints, guiding implementation choices, and ensuring successful integration and verification across hardware, firmware, software, and mission effectiveness.

Additionally, the engineer will be responsible for authoring white papers, presenting technical data to customers, leading contracted research and development efforts, working closely with programs of record to integrate new technologies into operational platforms, and coordinating closely with customer to help shape the future of EW systems.

Here in Phantom Works, our job is to transform technologies (both existing and new) into new and innovative products for our customers.

If you are a systems-focused engineer who can bridge RF hardware, radar and EW processing, firmware, and embedded software to deliver operational capability and drive technical outreach and integration with programs of record.

Position Responsibilities

• Define and own the system architecture for EW and radar-enabled systems from concept through integration, test, and delivery.
• Translate mission and vehicle-level performance requirements into system-level requirements
• Lead trade studies to balance EW and radar capability, detection/mitigation techniques, performance, and vehicle constraints (size, weight, power, cooling, EMI)
• Architect software-defined EW and radar solutions, specifying critical HW/SW partitioning, reconfigurability, and processing pipelines
• Provide technical leadership for electronics design, RF front-end, radar receiver/transmitter considerations, digitizers, signal processing chains, and real-time firmware implementation
• Work closely with systems engineering, mechanical, thermal, power, and vehicle integration teams to manage trade-offs and ensure integration readiness
• Mentor and guide engineering teams in best practices for embedded development, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, model-based design, and radar/EW algorithm validation
• Engage with suppliers and partners to specify interfaces, performance expectations, and verification criteria
• Author technical white papers and program briefs to document novel approaches, trade studies, evaluation results, and recommended architectures
• Present technical findings, architectures, and test results to internal stakeholders and external customers, tailoring communication to technical and non-technical audiences
• Lead government contracts for research and development of EW and Radar systems, inducing managing cost, schedule and technical performance
• Coordinate with programs of record and integration leads to mature and integrate technologies into operational platforms, support technology insertion planning, and address sustainment considerations

Travel

This position will require approximately 10% travel domestically.

Location and Onsite

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.

Security Clearance

This position requires the ability to obtain a US Top Secret Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Top Secret/SCI Clearance Post-Start is required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (with a focus in Electrical, Mechanical or Aeronautical), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement
• 14+ years of work-related experience with a bachelor’s degree or 12+ years of work-related experience with a masters or 9+ years of work-related experience with a PhD
• 10+ years of professional experience in RF systems for SIGNIT, Electronic Warfare, Information Operations or Cyber
• Hands-on knowledge of Electronic Warfare techniques (e.g., detection, jamming, deception, electronic protection) and radar techniques (e.g., detection, tracking, SAR/GMTI basics, radar signal processing)
• Experience in electronic warfare principles, techniques, and technologies

Preferred Requirements

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in EE, CE, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Prior role as EW architect, radar systems architect, lead systems engineer, or equivalent technical lead on EW or radar programs.
• Deep RF/analog design experience, including front-end receiver/transmitter design, digitizers, ADC/DAC selection, and RF test techniques.
• Experience with the design, build and the maintenance of SIL (Software -in-the-loop) or HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) labs
• Expertise in real-time signal processing algorithms and implementation on DSPs, FPGAs, or heterogeneous processing platforms for both EW and radar applications.
• Proficiency in firmware development languages/tools (C/C++, VHDL/Verilog, RTL-to-bitstream flows) and SW integration practices.
• Familiarity with EMI/EMC, thermal management, and mechanical integration challenges for vehicle-mounted EW and radar systems.
• Experience designing and architecting low SWaP (size, weight, and power) software-defined EW/radar systems and balancing vehicle performance constraints.

Conflict of Interest

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Typical Education/Experience

Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 14 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Relocation

This position offers relocation based on a candidate's eligibility.

Drug Free Workplace

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Shift

This position is for 1st shift.

Union Representation

This is a union-represented position.

Total Rewards

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

Boeing offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous Paid Time Off (PTO), flexible work environment, paid parental leave, 401k matching, extremely generous tuition assistance for earning advanced degrees, and paid medical leave programs.

Boeing 401(k) helps you save for your future, with contributions from Boeing that can help you grow your retirement savings. Our best-in-class retirement benefit features:

• Best in class 401(k) plan: we'll match your contributions dollar for dollar, up to 10% of eligible pay with Immediate 100% vesting
• Student Loan Match: The Boeing 401(k) Student Loan Match allows eligible enrolled U.S. employees to have your qualified student loan debt payments counted, along with any match-eligible contributions they make, for purposes of determining the Company Match to employees' Boeing 401(k) accounts.

Pay Range

Summary pay range: Level 5 (Lead): $176,800 - $239,200

Application Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 23, 2026.

Export Control Requirements

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Program Award

The position is contingent upon program award.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.