Sensor Systems Engineer – Radar Processing

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL); Laurel (NE); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Strong retirement contributions

Paid time off

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Training and development

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a technically skilled professional to develop, assess, and mature signal processing and radar algorithms within complex system environments.

You will own technical assignments end-to-end, collaborate with sponsors and teams, and deliver data-driven recommendations for advanced radar and sensing capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, or related field.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in signal processing, radar, sensor systems, or related technical work.
• Experience in radar signal processing, waveform analysis, sensor modeling, or related areas is valued.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia or similar languages for modeling and analysis.
• Strong communication skills for briefings, analyses, and data-driven recommendations.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, assess, and mature signal processing, radar, sensing, and discrimination algorithms within complex environments.
• Own technical assignments from problem definition through conclusions and recommendations.
• Support concept development, requirements analysis, and performance evaluation for radar and sensor systems.
• Evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance including detection, estimation, and classification.
• Perform verification, validation, and test data analysis for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and sponsors to solve technical problems.
• Provide technical leadership by organizing approaches, communicating risks, and delivering data-driven recommendations.
• Build algorithmic prototypes and modeling studies to advance sensing capabilities.

Skills

Signal processing

Radar systems

Communication

Travel up to 10%

Leadership potential

Security mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE / Math / Physics / CS / Systems Eng

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Julia

Job description

Requirements

Must have:

• We require a bachelors degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• We require at least 1 year of professional experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination methods, sensing architectures, modeling and simulation, or similar technical work.
• We look for experience in areas such as radar signal processing, detection and estimation theory, waveform analysis, sensor phenomenology, sensor modeling, target characterization or discrimination, electronic sensing systems, resource management, system performance assessment, verification and validation, or radar/EO/IR analysis.
• We require proficiency with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or comparable scientific programming languages for modeling, simulation, algorithm development, test data analysis, or performance assessment.
• We value demonstrated technical ownership or early leadership through a project, internship, lab effort, capstone, sponsored project, or multidisciplinary technical assignment.
• We require strong communication skills with the ability to present technical findings clearly in briefings, discussions, written analysis, and data-driven recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• We require willingness and ability to travel up to 10% as needed.
• We require an active Secret clearance, the ability to ultimately obtain TS/SCI, eligibility for a government security investigation, and U.S. citizenship.
• A masters degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related field is preferred.
• Additional experience in radar systems, missile defense sensing, air and missile defense, integrated air and missile defense, multi-domain sensing, or related national security applications is highly desirable.
• Experience carrying an algorithm, model, or analysis capability from concept through prototype, evaluation, and recommended next steps is preferred.
• Familiarity with measured data, field test data, high-fidelity simulation data, or hardware/software-in-the-loop evaluation for radar or sensor systems is an asset.
• Experience coordinating a small technical effort, mentoring peers or interns, leading an early-career team, or serving as a technical point of contact is beneficial.
• Familiarity with digital engineering, system-of-systems analysis, sensor resource management, architecture evaluation, or advanced modeling and simulation is a plus.
• Familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data association as supporting capabilities is advantageous.
• Experience working with government sponsors, defense laboratories, industry partners, or multidisciplinary technical teams is preferred.
• An active Top Secret clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• We develop, assess, and mature signal processing, radar, sensing, classification, and discrimination algorithms within complex system and system-of-systems environments.
• We take ownership of focused technical assignments, analyses, prototypes, or modeling efforts and carry them from problem definition through conclusions and recommendations.
• We support concept development, requirements analysis, architecture trade studies, and performance evaluation for advanced radar and sensor systems.
• We evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance, including detection, estimation, discrimination, classification, and operational effectiveness.
• We perform verification, validation, test data analysis, and performance assessment for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.
• We analyze radar and sensor architectures, including phenomenology, waveform considerations, 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 inform future capability recommendations.
• We collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, government sponsors, and external organizations to solve challenging technical problems across signal processing, radar systems, sensor architectures, algorithms, and operational concepts.
• We provide technical leadership by organizing our approach, coordinating with teammates, communicating risks and findings, and delivering clear, data-driven recommendations.
• We build algorithmic prototypes, system analyses, and technical solutions that advance applied sensing, radar, discrimination, and classification capabilities.
• We apply tracking and data fusion concepts where they support broader sensor system performance objectives.

Company:

We are the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), where we bring world-class expertise to critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. Our culture is collaborative, inclusive, and supportive, with an emphasis on creativity, bold ideas, hands-on growth, and strong team connections. Our campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and compensation may include bonuses, relocation support, locality allowances, or other discretionary payments depending on role and circumstances.

• robust education assistance
• strong retirement contributions
• healthy work/life balance
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• disability coverage
• flexible spending accounts
• education assistance
• training and development