Senior Sensor Systems Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL); Laurel (NE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Strong retirement contributions

Paid time off

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Training and development

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a senior radar and sensing engineer to advance signal processing and sensor architectures within complex system environments. The role emphasizes algorithm development, modeling, testing, and collaboration with sponsors.

You will lead verification, validation, and data analysis while mentoring junior staff and contributing to multi-disciplinary programs across defense sensing capabilities.

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination methods, or sensing architectures.
• Demonstrated expertise in radar signal processing, radar systems engineering, waveform analysis, or detector/estimation theory.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, verification and validation, test data analysis, or performance assessment using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data association.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing sponsors and leadership.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain TS/SCI, US citizenship.
• MS or PhD preferred.
• 7+ years leading radar/sensor system development or analysis.
• Experience in air and missile defense and related programs.
• Leading radar or sensor system development from concept through prototyping and transition.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and leading technical teams.
• Active Top Secret clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and refinement of signal processing, radar, sensing, classification, and sensor performance algorithms in complex environments.
• Support concept development, requirements analysis, and architecture trade studies for radar and sensor solutions.
• Evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance including detection, discrimination, and classification.
• Perform verification, validation, test data analysis, and performance assessments for prototypes and operations.
• Analyze complex sensor systems, radar phenomenology, sensor integration, and resource management.
• Design and execute modeling, simulation, analysis, verification, and validation studies for performance metrics.
• Collaborate with sponsors and external partners to solve challenging problems across signal processing and sensor architectures.
• Develop algorithm prototypes and technical solutions advancing sensing and tracking capabilities.
• Lead studies, shape project direction, and present data-driven briefings to sponsors and leadership.
• Mentor junior staff in a rigorous engineering environment.

Skills

Radar signal processing

Sensor systems

Multi-sensor data fusion

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Communication skills

Education

BS in electrical engineering or related field

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Julia

Job description

Requirements

Must have:

• We require a BS in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a closely related technical discipline.


• We need at least 5 years of experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination methods, or sensing architectures, including resolving complex technical and design issues.


• We look for demonstrated expertise in one or more areas such as radar signal processing, radar systems engineering, waveform analysis, detection and estimation theory, sensor phenomenology, sensor modeling, target characterization or discrimination, electronic sensing systems, resource management, system performance assessment, verification and validation, or radar/EO/IR system analysis.


• We require experience with modeling, simulation, verification and validation, test data analysis, or performance assessment using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or similar scientific programming languages.


• We value familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data association as they relate to end-to-end sensing performance.


• We need strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience working with government sponsors and delivering technical briefings to sponsors, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.


• We require willingness and ability to travel up to 10% as needed.


• We require an active Secret clearance, the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance, and U.S. citizenship.


• Preferred qualifications include an MS or PhD in a related technical field.


• Preferred qualifications include 7+ years of experience leading the development, evaluation, or analysis of advanced radar systems, signal processing algorithms, sensor systems, missile defense sensing capabilities, or multi-domain sensing architectures.


• Preferred qualifications include experience in air and missile defense, Missile Defense Agency programs, integrated air and missile defense, sensor resource management, multi-domain sensing, digital engineering, system-of-systems analysis, or advanced modeling and simulation.


• Preferred qualifications include leading radar or sensor system development from concept definition through algorithm prototyping, performance assessment, test planning, and transition to operational use.


• Preferred qualifications include experience leading technical teams, mentoring junior staff, influencing technical direction, or serving as a technical lead on multidisciplinary projects.


• Preferred qualifications include an active Top Secret clearance and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities:

• We lead the development, assessment, and refinement of advanced signal processing, radar, sensing, classification, and sensor performance algorithms within complex system and system-of-systems environments.


• We support concept development, requirements analysis, and architecture trade studies for advanced radar and sensor solutions.


• We evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance, including detection, discrimination, classification, and operational effectiveness.


• We perform verification, validation, test data analysis, and performance assessment for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.


• We analyze complex sensor systems and architectures, including radar phenomenology, sensor integration, resource management, and system-of-systems interactions.


• We design and execute modeling, simulation, analysis, verification, and validation studies to measure system performance and develop quantitative recommendations for future capabilities.


• We collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, government sponsors, and external partners to identify, analyze, and solve challenging technical problems across signal processing, radar systems, sensor architectures, algorithms, and operational concepts.


• We develop innovative algorithm prototypes, system analyses, and technical solutions that advance sensing, tracking, and classification capabilities.


• We lead technical studies, shape project direction, and present clear, data-driven briefings and recommendations to sponsors, senior leadership, and other key stakeholders.


• We mentor junior staff while contributing to a collaborative, technically rigorous, mission-focused engineering environment.

Company:

We are the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), where we bring world-class expertise to the nations most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. Our Multi-Domain Sensing Architectures and Data Fusion Group works on advanced sensing, signal processing, radar systems, classification, mission analysis, modeling and simulation, systems analysis, algorithm development, and selective data fusion to help deliver next-generation defense solutions. We foster a collaborative culture that values technical excellence, leadership, innovation, and professional growth. At APL, you can bring your authentic self to work, build strong connections with inspiring teammates, and enjoy a welcoming environment with generous benefits, including education assistance, strong retirement contributions, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and training and development.

Benefits:

• education assistance


• strong retirement contributions


• paid time off


• medical


• dental


• vision


• life insurance


• disability coverage


• flexible spending accounts


• training and development

Our campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.