Senior Radar Systems Engineer (SETA) - Spaceborne GEOINT

SAIC; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Chantilly, VA is hiring a Senior Radar Systems Engineer to provide SETA support for a classified government radar/space program. You will help analyze radar payloads, assess RF architectures, and guide requirements across space and ground segments, including test, launch, and on-orbit checkout.

Qualifications include active TS/SCI with poly, strong radar/space systems experience, and ability to brief senior stakeholders. MBSE/SysML familiarity and MATLAB/Python proficiency are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or related field with 9+ years of relevant experience, or higher degrees with adjusted experience.
• Radar/space systems experience to evaluate designs and performance.
• Experience in systems engineering for space or airborne sensing programs.
• Familiarity with government acquisition and space/ground integration for ISR/GEOINT missions.
• Proficient in MATLAB, Python, STK, or similar analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Analyze radar payload designs, RF architectures, waveforms, and sensor performance for space missions.
• Provide SETA insight into contractor activities including design reviews and risk assessment.
• Develop and trace system- and payload-level requirements across space and ground segments.
• Support integration, test, launch, and on-orbit checkout; review test data and resolve anomalies.
• Evaluate end-to-end mission architecture and propose technical improvements.
• Prepare concise technical briefings for government leaders and stakeholders.

Skills

Radar systems

RF sensing

SAR

GMTI

MBSE/SysML

MATLAB

Python

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM or related

Master's degree with 7+ years

PhD with 4+ years

Tools

MATLAB

Python

STK

Job description

SAIC is hiring a Senior Radar Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to a classified Government customer in Chantilly, VA. You will support the development, integration, test, launch, and checkout of a radar-enabled national security space system, providing technical analysis, contractor oversight, test data review, and anomaly resolution across space and ground segments.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Analyze radar payload designs, RF architectures, waveforms, and sensor performance for spaceborne GEOINT missions.
• Provide independent SETA insight into contractor activities, including design reviews, technical trades, risks, and requirements/schedule compliance.
• Develop, refine, and trace system- and payload-level requirements across space, ground, and mission-processing segments.
• Support integration, test, launch, and on-orbit checkout, including test data review, performance assessment, and anomaly resolution.
• Evaluate end-to-end mission architecture (tasking, collection, downlink, processing, exploitation, dissemination) and recommend technical improvements.
• Prepare and deliver concise technical briefings and recommendations to government leaders and menu stakeholders.

Bachelor's degree in a STEM or related discipline and nine (9)+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree and seven (7)+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD and four (4)+ years of relevant experience; Additional directly relevant radar/space systems experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree per SAIC policy.

Knowledge or experience with radar systems, RF sensing, SAR, GMTI, or radar phenomenology sufficient to evaluate contractor designs and performance.

• Experience supporting complex space or airborne sensing programs in systems engineering (requirements, architecture, integration/test, or mission operations).
• Familiarity with government acquisition processes and space/ground integration for ISR, GEOINT, or national security space missions.
• Experience using analysis/modeling tools such as MATLAB, Python, STK, or similar.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical findings to senior stakeholders.

Clearance Requirements:

• Active TS/SCI with a current Poly.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a government polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with a prime contractor, radar payload developer, or FFRDC on spaceborne or airborne radar programs.
• Hands-on or analytic experience with SAR, GMTI, radar image formation, or radar exploitation algorithms.
• Experience supporting NRO, NGA, or other IC/DoD space or GEOINT programs in a SETA/acquisition role.
• Working knowledge of MBSE/SysML or similar digital-engineering tools.
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Radar/Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related field.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work onsite full-time in a secure facility in Chantilly, VA.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or in meetings.
• Occasional lifting of items such as laptops and documents (up to ~20 lbs).

2026.10.2