Radar Systems Engineer III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 143,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA seeks a Radar Systems Engineer III to develop and verify landing radar and radar altimeter systems for planetary exploration. You will lead modeling, analysis, and test planning across hardware, software, and signal processing teams.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, documentation, and contribution to next‑generation radar architectures for planetary missions. Strong communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline with relevant experience.
• Excellent ability to communicate technically and present information.
• Excellent ability to write technical documents in prescribed format.
• Excellent ability to work well in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own landing radar modeling tools for planetary missions.
• Apply radar systems engineering to analyze performance and develop requirements.
• Support NASA Human Landing System (HLS) activities including radar modeling.
• Lead verification and testing planning for landing radars and altimeters.
• Collaborate across hardware, software, signal processing, and systems engineering to resolve issues.
• Create technical documentation, models, and verification approaches.
• Collaborate with NASA/JPL/industry to define technical approaches and radar products.
• Develop new radar architectures for planetary landing and remote sensing.

Skills

Communication skills

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Radar systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in related field

PhD (optional) in related discipline

Tools

Radar simulation 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.

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 forconcept development, design, implementation, algorithm development, dataprocessingand operations of spaceborne and suborbital RF instruments. We provide radar and radiometerexpertisefor broader NASA goals and sensors, such as landing radars.

The RF Remote Sensing Section is seeking Radar Systems EngineerIII 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.