Principal/ Sr. Principal Systems Engineer - Radar Performance Algorithms

Caribou Thunder; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium Health Insurance

401(k) with 6% Company Match

Flexible PTO & Work Schedule

Education & Certification Reimburs e

Job summary

Caribou Thunder in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Engineer to lead radar performance algorithm development and validation.

You will drive modeling, simulation, and integration across the system lifecycle within a multidisciplinary team. The role requires a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and hands-on MATLAB-based algorithm prototyping for advanced radar capabilities.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Expertise with MATLAB and radar algorithm prototyping.
• Experience across the Systems Engineering lifecycle for complex radar systems.
• Ability to work onsite in Colorado Springs.

Responsibilities

• Support development, integration, and validation of radar performance algorithms.
• Translate system requirements into algorithm requirements, design solutions, and verification approaches.
• Perform functional and performance analyses to evaluate radar capabilities and identify optimization opportunities.
• Develop mathematical algorithms supporting radar modes, sensors, and operational performance.
• Apply MATLAB and other analytical tools to prototype, model, evaluate, and refine radar algorithms.
• Develop software integration plans that enable radar algorithms to model system behavior in real-time environments.
• Conduct trajectory threat analyses and model scenarios to evaluate radar performance against threats.
• Support CONOPS development, mission and mode definitions, and technology trade studies.
• Perform mission engineering activities across the Systems Engineering lifecycle to align capabilities with requirements.
• Collaborate with IPTs, systems engineers, software developers, and radar engineers.

Skills

MATLAB

Radar performance analysis

Algorithm prototyping

Python / C / C++ / Java

Systems engineering lifecycle

Cross-functional collaboration

Agile development

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Jira

Confluence

SharePoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

Principal / Sr. Principal Systems Engineer – Radar Performance Algorithms

Senior / Sr. Principal Level | Colorado Springs, CO | In-Person | $100,000 - $125,000 | Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI Eligibility Required

Support the development of advanced ground-based radar capabilities by leading systems engineering, radar performance analysis, algorithm development, and mission engineering activities. Join a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for developing innovative solutions to complex radar challenges, from system concept and requirements development through algorithm implementation, modeling and simulation, integration, and operational performance assessment. This role offers the opportunity to influence radar system architecture and performance while working directly across engineering disciplines and supporting mission-critical events.

A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Support the development, integration, and validation of radar performance algorithms that satisfy system mission and mode performance objectives.
• Translate system-level operational requirements into algorithm requirements, design solutions, implementation strategies, and verification approaches.
• Perform functional and performance analyses to evaluate radar system capabilities and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Develop mathematical algorithms supporting radar modes, sensors, and operational performance.
• Apply MATLAB and other analytical tools to prototype, model, evaluate, and refine radar algorithms.
• Develop software integration plans that enable radar algorithms to model system behavior in real-time operational environments.
• Conduct kinematic trajectory threat analysis and develop Modeling & Simulation (M&S) scenarios to evaluate radar performance against representative threats.
• Support System Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development, system mission and mode definition, and technology trade studies.
• Perform mission engineering activities across the Systems Engineering "V" to maintain alignment between desired operational capabilities, system requirements, architecture, and delivered performance.
• Analyze the cost, technical performance, and operational effectiveness of emerging radar systems and architectures to support technology and design decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), systems engineers, software developers, radar engineers, and other technical stakeholders.
• Solicit technical input from stakeholders, synthesize complex engineering data, and communicate findings and recommendations to engineers, program leadership, and customers.
• Guide engineering teams through algorithm development, implementation, integration, and performance assessment activities.
• Support requirements derivation, decomposition, and traceability throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Develop technical documentation, engineering analyses, and presentations supporting design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program decisions.
• Participate in operational events and provide shift support as required to support radar system testing and mission activities.

Required Qualifications

Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) discipline and 5 years of related experience; OR
• Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 3 years of related experience; OR
• PhD in a STEM discipline and 1 year of related experience.

Sr. Principal Systems Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 8 years of related experience; OR
• Master's degree in a STEM discipline and 6 years of related experience; OR
• PhD in a STEM discipline and 4 years of related experience.

All Levels

• Active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance, current and within scope, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI approval/access.
• Expertise with MATLAB and mathematical algorithm prototyping.
• Experience working across the Systems Engineering lifecycle for complex system development.
• Experience with signal processing and associated analytical techniques.
• Experience with radar systems and radar operational performance.
• Experience using radar Blake Charts for operational performance analysis.
• Experience with the Atlassian tool suite, including Jira and Confluence.
• Experience with SharePoint.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with demonstrated ability to plan and execute technical projects.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize, and execute engineering activities.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional engineering teams with a strong customer focus.
• Ability and willingness to work onsite in Colorado Springs and provide shift support during operational events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software using Python, C, C++, Java, or related programming languages.
• Experience working within Agile development environments including Kanban or Scrum.
• Experience with requirements derivation, decomposition, and traceability supporting system design, implementation, and verification.
• Experience with radar algorithm development, implementation, or integration.
• Experience with radar modeling and simulation or real-time mission simulation environments.
• Experience supporting ground-based radar systems and operational test events.
• Experience conducting technology trade studies and mission effectiveness assessments.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
• Experience supporting classified Department of Defense radar or missile defense programs.
• Advanced technical leadership experience guiding engineering teams through complex system development and integration activities.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of Defense and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries.

We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades—strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

Why Caribou Thunder?

TEAM THUNDER — Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy
• Mission Proven
• Global Reach
• Skilled Teams
• Modern Tools
• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier—delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Systems Engineering, Radar Systems, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence —disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being—knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work–Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being—we invest in you.