Senior Space Radar Systems Engineer (SETA)

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

Job summary

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is seeking a Space Radar Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to a Government Customer in Chantilly, VA. The role advises on space-based radar payload performance and processing, delivering independent assessments of system design, on-orbit data products, and mission effectiveness.

The candidate will apply deep radar tradecraft to evaluate product quality, troubleshoot anomalies, and guide end-to-end system improvements

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI polygraph within the last ten years.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 12+ years of experience or Master's degree with 10+ years of experience.
• Experience across satellite mission lifecycle from concept through post-launch operations.
• Direct experience with space-based radar systems or closely related ISR platforms.
• Ability to brief senior decision-makers with clear, concise reports.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted, independent advisor to the Government on space-based radar payload performance and processing.
• Provide objective assessments of contractor designs, algorithms, and system performance.
• Assess risks, technical maturity, and performance margins across development and operations.
• Assess collection modes, tasking strategies, and geometry impacts on product performance.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve product quality and operational effectiveness.
• Work with operators, system engineers, and contractors to diagnose and resolve issues.
• Evaluate end-to-end radar signal processing chains, including calibration, image formation, detection, and tracking.
• Analyze interactions between space segment, ground processing, communications, and tasking systems.
• Support development and refinement of radar mission requirements and performance metrics.
• Ensure lessons learned are fed back into system improvements.
• Advise on future enhancements to payload capability and processing algorithms.
• Develop Customer positions, technical assessments, and leadership briefings.

Skills

Space radar payloads

Systems engineering

Technical advisory

Briefings to leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree in engineering

Job description

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is seeking a Space Radar Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to a Government Customer in Chantilly, VA. The role advises on space-based radar payload performance and processing, delivering independent assessments of system design, on-orbit data products, and mission effectiveness.

The candidate will apply deep radar tradecraft to evaluate product quality, troubleshoot anomalies, and guide end-to-end system improvements