Mid-Level Radar Exploitation Engineer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company match

9/80 work schedule

Holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a mid-level Radar Exploitation Engineer to provide advanced intelligence support at Wright-Patterson AFB. You will lead analytic efforts to characterize foreign missile systems and deliver high-impact products to senior decision-makers and the IC.

You will analyze radar observations, perform signal processing and modeling, and brief findings to NASIC and DoD stakeholders while advancing analytic methods and tools for radar-based missile exploitation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related field.
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant radar/missile analysis or related technical intelligence work.
• Strong understanding of radar fundamentals and waveforms.
• Experience analyzing missile kinematics, trajectories, and flight phases.
• Hands-on experience with MATLAB and/or Python (NumPy/SciPy/Matplotlib).
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and brief results to varied audiences.
• U.S. Citizenship required; TS/SCI clearance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead characterization of foreign missile systems using line-of-sight radar data across multiple missile classes.
• Extract, analyze, and interpret radar-derived missile observables (RCS, kinematics, staging events, propulsion phases, guidance behavior, engagement geometry).
• Analyze time-series radar data to identify flight phases and system-unique signature features.
• Apply advanced signal processing and tracking techniques to derive parameters from radar returns.
• Produce technical intelligence products (reports, briefings) that meet IC standards.
• Brief findings to NASIC analysts, DoD program offices, and other IC stakeholders.
• Help develop analytic methods, models, tools, and tradecraft for radar-based missile exploitation.

Skills

Radar analysis

Missile systems analysis

RF signal processing

MATLAB/Python

Technical documentation

Briefing to stakeholders

U.S. Citizenship

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree (EE/Physics/Applied Math/ Aerospace/ Computer Eng)

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

AV is seeking a mid-level Radar Exploitation Engineer with experience in radar-based missile analysis to provide advanced technical intelligence support to NASIC at Wright-Patterson AFB. You will lead analytic efforts to characterize foreign missile systems and deliver high-impact intelligence products to senior decision-makers and the broader Intelligence Community.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead characterization of foreign missile systems using line-of-sight radar–collected data across multiple missile classes (ballistic, cruise, hypersonic, air-to-air, surface-to-air, surface-to-surface).
• Extract, analyze, and interpret radar-derived missile observables (RCS, kinematics, staging events, propulsion phases, guidance behavior, engagement geometry).
• Analyze time-series radar data to identify flight phases and system-unique signature features.
• Apply advanced signal processing and tracking techniques to derive kinematic and dynamic parameters from radar returns.
• Produce clear, concise technical intelligence products (reports, briefings) that meet IC standards and withstand peer review.
• Brief findings to NASIC analysts, DoD program offices, and other IC stakeholders.
• Help develop and refine analytic methods, models, tools, and tradecraft for radar-based missile exploitation.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related field.
• Approximately 3–6 years of relevant experience in radar analysis, missile systems analysis, RF signal processing, MASINT, EW, or related technical intelligence work (graduate education may substitute for some experience).
• Strong understanding of radar fundamentals (radar equation, SNR, detection/tracking, antennas, beam patterns, line-of-sight propagation, CW/pulsed/pulse-Doppler/FMCW/pulse-compression waveforms).
• Experience analyzing missile kinematics, trajectories, and flight phases.
• Hands-on experience with MATLAB and/or Python (NumPy/SciPy/Matplotlib) for signal processing, modeling, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and brief technical results to varied audiences.
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance; Active TS/SCI strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Master’s degree in EE, RF Engineering, Radar Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Prior experience directly supporting NASIC or other IC/DoD analysis centers focused on missile or air/space threat systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in trajectory reconstruction, RCS/signature analysis, and performance/vulnerability assessments for air and missile defense.
• Experience with modeling & simulation tools (e.g., STK, radar tracking simulations, missile engagement models).
• Familiarity with multi-sensor fusion and IC analytic tools/databases.

Competencies & Work Environment

• Strong technical curiosity and initiative; ability to operate with increasing independence.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary, classified environment alongside government, military, and contractor personnel.
• Work is performed on-site in secure facilities in or around Wright-Patterson AFB; occasional travel (<10–15%) may be required.

Salary Range:

$74,500 to $140,000

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A “U.S. person” according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

Join us today in developing the next generation of small UAS and tactical missile systems that will deliver more actionable intelligence to our customers so they can proceed with certainty – and succeed.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data,sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.