Senior SAR-Based MTI Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 166,400 - 249,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

401(k) Plan and matching

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks senior SAR engineers to join the Radar Processing and Analysis Department in Chantilly, VA. You will work on MTI-enabled sensing solutions, MTI performance modeling, and integration with national security programs.

Required are a strong math background and 10+ years of experience in related fields; familiarity with SAR MTI; and U.S. citizenship for clearance. On-site work with opportunities for collaboration across disciplines is offered.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical field and 10+ years of experience.
• Strong grasp of advanced mathematics, including Fourier transforms and differential equations.
• Experience with SAR MTI applications and MTI tracker performance modeling.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
• Familiarity with data processing and modeling in SAR MTI contexts.

Responsibilities

• Assess and develop sensor solutions to improve target search-and-track capabilities.
• Characterize MTI performance using simulated and operational data sets for risk reduction.
• Model ground truth scenarios and sensing payload outputs for future space systems.

Skills

SAR MTI applications

MATLAB or Python

Advanced mathematics

Security clearance readiness

Education

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

The Radar Processing and Analysis Department is based in Chantilly, VA. We specialize in SAR image formation processing, SAR system performance modeling and analysis, moving target indications (MTI) find-fix-target-track applications, maritime surveillance techniques, electronic protection applications, complex data processor development, and advanced processing algorithms. Many of our projects are done in collaboration with the Radar and Signal Systems Department, our MPD counterpart in El Segundo, CA.

We are looking for experienced SAR Engineers with MTI (target detection and tracking) expertise to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today to become part of a culture and legacy of engineering innovation, technical excellence, and ground-breaking contributions to our nation’s defense and intelligence capabilities!

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assess and / or develop innovative sensor solutions (tasking, collection, processing) to improve target search-and-track capabilities and support program planning, acquisition, and operations.
• Characterize high-priority target Find-Fix-Track-Target (F2T2) performance using both simulated and operational datasets to support program risk reduction and maturation.
• Architect and model both ground truth scenarios and sensing payload output-data products (e.g., MTI detections) to support evaluation and solicitation of future space systems and downstream applications.
• Modernize existing Aerospace MTI processing code base and develop new capabilities to support future needs.
• Serve as the integration leader and principal technical representative to customers for a portfolio of high-impact projects.
• Engage with other experts across multiple disciplines to explore innovative enterprise solutions to critical national missions.

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Engineering Specialist Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics or related technical discipline and 10 or more years of relevant experience
• Strong grasp of advanced mathematics including Fourier transforms, differential equations, and estimation theory
• Adept at using MATLAB or Python to create or augment engineering code.
• Experience with SAR MTI applications.
• Familiarity with modeling and simulation of SAR MTI tracker performance.
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
• PhD from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, Imaging Sciences or related technical discipline
• Significant experience conducting modeling and simulation of SAR-based MTI performance and/or evaluating MTI trackers (Kalman filter based).
• Familiarity with standardized MTI detection and tracking schema and formats (e.g., STANAG 4607, STANAG 4676, OMS/UCI, UMRS, AMRs)
• Cognizance with advanced target tracking algorithms, applications, and performance characterization (e.g., IMM, MHT, EKF, UKF, feature-aided tracking approaches)
• Demonstrated success as the principal technical representative to a government customer

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $166,400.00 - $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs

An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] .

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.