Radar Systems Engineer III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena is seeking a Radar Systems Engineer III to lead development, modeling, verification, and testing of advanced radar systems for planetary landing missions, with emphasis on landing radar and radar altimeter applications.

You will collaborate across hardware, software, signal processing, and systems engineering, build and maintain documentation, and help grow radar expertise within the RF Remote Sensing Section to ensure continuity across current and

Qualifications

• Education and experience in electrical engineering, physics, or related discipline with required years.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to write technical documents in prescribed style and format.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, modify, and take ownership of landing radar modeling and simulation tools.
• Apply radar systems engineering to analyze performance, derive requirements, and perform trades.
• Support Human Landing System activities including landing radar modeling and analysis.
• Lead verification and validation of landing radar altimeters, including test planning.
• Collaborate across hardware, software, and signal processing to resolve issues.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, models, and verification approaches.

Skills

Effective communication

Technical presentation

Team collaboration

Radar systems knowledge

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Master's degree with 4+ years of related experience

Doctorate with 2+ years of related experience

Tools

Radar modeling tools

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Job Details

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities:

The JPL Communications and Instruments Division perform scientific investigations, advanced technology research, engineering developments and system implementations encompassing space telecommunications, tracking and active remote sensing using electromagnetic waves.

The RF Remote Sensing Systems & Technology Section Advances science, technology, and instruments for RF microwave and submillimeter scientific investigations. This section is responsible for concept development, design, implementation, algorithm development, data processing and operations of spaceborne and suborbital RF instruments. We provide radar and radiometer expertise for broader NASA goals and sensors, such as landing radars.

The RF Remote Sensing Section is seeking Radar Systems Engineer III to support the development, modeling, verification, and testing of advanced radar systems, with a particular focus on landing radar and radar altimeter applications for planetary exploration. The successful candidate will help address an immediate need for landing radar systems engineering expertise while building a long‑term technical capability within the Section.

Beyond the immediate project assignments, this position provides an opportunity to rebuild and grow landing radar expertise within the RF Remote Sensing Section. The successful candidate will be expected to develop into a key technical resource for landing radars and altimeters, providing continuity across current and future planetary landing missions and strengthening the Section’s ability to independently lead radar system engineering, modeling, verification, and test activities.

Tasks Include but are not limited to:

• Develop, maintain, modify, and take technical ownership of existing landing radar modeling and simulation tools to support current and future planetary landing missions.
• Apply radar systems engineering principles to analyze system performance, develop requirements, perform technical trades, and assess radar and altimeter performance.
• Support NASA Human Landing System (HLS) activities, including landing radar modeling and performance analysis beginning in FY27.
• Support the Skyfall landing radar qualification effort spanning FY27–FY28, including system‑level analysis, modeling, verification, and test planning.
• Lead or contribute to verification and validation (V&V) of landing radar altimeters, including development of test approaches, analysis of test data, and participation in field testing.
• Work across hardware, software, signal processing, and systems engineering disciplines to identify and resolve technical issues.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, models, analysis tools, requirements, and verification approaches.
• Collaborate with NASA, JPL, industry, and project teams to define technical approaches and deliver radar systems engineering products.
• Contribute to the development of new radar architectures and technologies for planetary landing and other remote‑sensing applications.
• Build and maintain technical expertise in landing radar systems, radar altimeters, radar modeling, and system‑level test and verification.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience:
• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or related discipline with a Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 6 years of related work experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience; or Doctorate degree with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively and present technical information verbally to supervisors, managers, and customers.
• Excellent ability to write technical documents that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Excellent ability to work well in a team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas: radar systems, radar algorithms, and simulation methods.
• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in radar systems design and analysis.
• Excellent ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, customer specifications, and other technical documents.
• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques related to the system analysis of radar, and microwave radar instrument development.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in one or more disciplines related to the design of microwave remote sensing instruments.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$143,208 - $180,336

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.