Space Radar Engineer

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 a fast-growing engineering company that provides aerospace solutions to a variety of government and commercial customers. Our employees are forward-thinking, self-directed individuals who are committed to solving our customers’ technical challenges.

SSI is seeking a Space Radar Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to our Customer in Chantilly, VA. The role advises on space-based radar payload performance and processing, providing independent assessments of system design, on-orbit data products, and mission effectiveness. The individual applies deep radar tradecraft expertise to evaluate product quality, troubleshoot anomalies, and guide improvements across the end-to-end system from collection through processing and operational use.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted, independent advisor to the Government on all aspects of space-based radar payload performance and processing.
• Provide objective assessments of contractor designs, algorithm implementations, and system performance.
• Assess risks, technical maturity, and performance margins across development and operational systems.
• Assess collection modes, tasking strategies, and geometry impacts on product performance.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve product quality and operational effectiveness.
• Work closely with operators, system engineers, and contractors to diagnose and resolve operational 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 from operations are fed back into system improvements.
• Advise on future enhancements to payload capability, processing algorithms, and product generation.
• Assist in developing Customer positions, technical assessments, and decision briefings for leadership.

Qualifications

• Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph (polygraph within the last ten (10) years).
• Bachelor's degree in engineering and twelve (12) or more years of experience; Master's degree and ten (10) or more years of experience.
• Experience with all phases of the satellite mission lifecycle, from concept development and design through integration, testing, and post-launch operations.
• Direct experience with space-based radar systems or closely related ISR platforms.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building, and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a Government/Contractor team environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics to Senior decision-makers with varying technical backgrounds through clear briefings and written reports.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Space Systems Integration provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.