Senior Principal Radar Signals Engineer

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Chantilly, VA, is seeking a Senior Principal Radar Signals Engineer to lead modeling, simulation, and analysis of satellite-tracking radar systems for multiple missions, collaborating with propulsion, optics, AI/ML, cloud, GPUs, and astrodynamics teams.

You will design and analyze radar signals, waveforms, and DSP techniques for detection, tracking, and characterization across LEO to GEO orbits; develop HPC-enabled tools in Python, C++, and MATLAB; present briefings to senior Government

Qualifications

• Experience with target-tracking radar signals and DSP for detection, tracking, and characterization.
• Strong foundation in electrical engineering and advanced mathematics.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, MATLAB for radar/RF modeling and simulation.
• Experience conducting independent analyses, trade studies, and documenting results.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze satellite-tracking radar signals, waveforms, and DSP algorithms for detection, acquisition, tracking, and characterization of space objects.
• Perform antenna design and analysis and optimize radar systems across LEO, MEO, GEO and other orbits.
• Develop modeling tools and simulations using Python, C++, MATLAB on HPC resources.
• Conduct trade studies and assessments and review algorithms and results from teams.
• Collaborate with astrodynamics, optics, AI/ML, cloud/HPC teams to scale mission simulations.
• Develop and present technically rigorous briefings to senior Government customers.

Skills

Target-tracking radar signals

DSP fundamentals

Python

C++

MATLAB

Oral/written briefing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics or related field

Master's degree (or PhD) with relevant experience

14+ years (Bachelor) / 12+ years (Master) / 9+ years (PhD)

Tools

Python

C++

MATLAB

Job description

SAIC is hiring a Senior Principal Radar Signals Engineer to join a mission-driven analysis team in Chantilly, VA supporting multiple satellite programs at the forefront of national innovation. This team is advancing novel satellite missions that directly support national priorities, operating within a highly engaged Government environment with frequent access to senior Government decision-makers. The engineer will lead modeling, simulation, and analysis of satellite-tracking radar systems for satellites in a wide range of Earth orbits, collaborating with experts in propulsion, optics, AI/ML, cloud, GPUs, and astrodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze satellite-tracking radar signals, waveforms, and signal processing algorithms to support detection, acquisition, tracking, and characterization of space objects.
• Perform antenna design and analysis, including performance modeling and trade studies, to optimize radar system effectiveness against satellite targets in LEO, MEO, GEO, and other orbits.
• Develop and apply modeling and simulation tools to evaluate end-to-end radar performance and mission concepts, leveraging Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar tools and high-performance computing resources.
• Conduct independent trade studies and technical assessments, and review/validate algorithms, models, and analysis results from internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team (astrodynamics, optical sensing, AI/ML, cloud/HPC) to simulate mission operations concepts at scale and provide integrated, actionable insights to customers.
• Develop and present clear, technically rigorous briefings and recommendations to senior Government customers and internal stakeholders.
• (Optional) Perform radar return modeling using 3D satellite models to support characterization and concept-of-operations analyses.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field and 14+ years of relevant experience;
• Master's degree and 12+ years of relevant experience;
• PhD (or JD with directly relevant technical experience) and 9+ years of relevant experience.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated experience with target-tracking radar signals, including signal design and digital signal processing for detection, tracking, and characterization.
• Strong foundation in electrical engineering, advanced mathematics, and digital signal processing (DSP).
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar languages for modeling, simulation, and analysis of radar or RF systems.
• Proven experience conducting independent technical analyses, trade studies, and assessments, and documenting results in technical reports or briefings.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, and to communicate complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Clearance Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph.
• Must be willing and able to work onsite in Chantilly, VA in a classified environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space domain awareness (SDA), space surveillance, or satellite-tracking radar systems.
• Background in antenna design, phased arrays, or RF front-end architectures for radar systems.
• Experience modeling radar performance against satellites in varied orbital regimes, including consideration of clutter, interference, and environmental effects.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments, GPU-based processing, or cloud-based modeling and simulation workflows.
• Experience working directly with senior Government customers, including preparing and delivering technical presentations and recommendations.
• Prior experience in a lead, principal, or subject-matter-expert role, including mentoring junior engineers or analysts.

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed in an office, laboratory, or classified facility environment.
• Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods, including frequent use of standard office and IT equipment.
• Occasional walking, standing, and movement between offices, conference rooms, and secure areas.
• Ability to participate in on-site meetings and briefings, which may require extended periods of sitting and focus.