Sr. Radar Engineer

Roguebeam; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Roguebeam in Seattle seeks a Senior Radar Engineer to own the signal processing chain of our Ku-band phased-array radar, from waveform to track. You will translate MATLAB or Python models into real-time FPGA/SoC implementations with our DSP, FPGA, and RF engineers.

This hands-on role involves writing models, running laboratory and field tests, and collaborating across teams on waveform design, digital beamforming, target tracking, and system performance modeling to drive architecture decisions.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years developing radar signal processing algorithms for fielded or prototype radar systems
• Strong DSP fundamentals: sampling and multirate processing, filter design, spectral estimation, detection and estimation theory, and statistical signal processing
• Hands-on experience with pulse-Doppler and/or FMCW processing: pulse compression, range-Doppler maps, MTI/MTD clutter filtering, and CFAR
• Array signal processing experience: digital or hybrid beamforming, angle-of-arrival estimation, and monopulse
• Fluency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm development and data analysis
• Experience taking algorithms to hardware, including fixed-point conversion, real-time constraints, and verification alongside FPGA or embedded engineers
• Experience collecting and analyzing data from real radar hardware in the lab and field

Responsibilities

• Define radar waveforms and operating modes (FMCW, pulse-Doppler, LFM and phase-coded) and trade range resolution, unambiguous velocity, duty cycle, and search timeline against system requirements
• Develop the end-to-end processing chain: pulse compression, range-Doppler processing, digital beamforming, clutter suppression, CFAR detection, and angle estimation
• Build detection and tracking algorithms for small, slow, low-flying targets in clutter, including track initiation, data association, and state estimation
• Develop target discrimination methods, such as micro-Doppler feature extraction, to separate drones from birds and ground clutter
• Build and maintain radar performance models (range equation, SNR and detection probability, clutter and multipath, array pattern and scan loss) that drive architecture decisions for the array, RFIC, and digital back end
• Partner with DSP and FPGA engineers to partition algorithms across FPGA, SoC, and host; define fixed-point and latency budgets; and verify implementations bit-true against reference models
• Plan and run lab and field tests: collect and analyze data, characterize system performance, and close the loop between model and measurement
• Work with the RF and antenna teams on array calibration and beam-steering strategy

Skills

Radar signal processing

DSP fundamentals

Pulse-Doppler / FMCW processing

Array beamforming

MATLAB/Python

Fixed-point conversion

Real-time processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

HDL/HLS

RFSoC

Job description

About Roguebeam

Roguebeam is an early-stage company building advanced phased-array systems for radar and communications. We design complete systems in-house: RFICs, antenna elements, RF front ends, digital control, and signal processing. Our products serve defense, satellite, and radar applications, and our small team has shipped complex hardware at scale.

The Role

We are hiring a Senior Radar Engineer to own the signal processing chain of our Ku-band phased-array radar, from waveform to track. You will develop the algorithms that turn raw array data into reliable detections and tracks of small, low-RCS targets such as drones, and carry them from models in MATLAB or Python to real-time implementation on FPGA and SoC hardware with our DSP, FPGA, and RF engineers.

This is a hands-on role. You will write the models, run the lab and field tests, and work directly with the data.

Responsibilities

• Define radar waveforms and operating modes (FMCW, pulse-Doppler, LFM and phase-coded) and trade range resolution, unambiguous velocity, duty cycle, and search timeline against system requirements

• Develop the end-to-end processing chain: pulse compression, range-Doppler processing, digital beamforming, clutter suppression, CFAR detection, and angle estimation

• Build detection and tracking algorithms for small, slow, low-flying targets in clutter, including track initiation, data association, and state estimation

• Develop target discrimination methods, such as micro-Doppler feature extraction, to separate drones from birds and ground clutter

• Build and maintain radar performance models (range equation, SNR and detection probability, clutter and multipath, array pattern and scan loss) that drive architecture decisions for the array, RFIC, and digital back end

• Partner with DSP and FPGA engineers to partition algorithms across FPGA, SoC, and host; define fixed-point and latency budgets; and verify implementations bit-true against reference models

• Plan and run lab and field tests: collect and analyze data, characterize system performance, and close the loop between model and measurement

• Work with the RF and antenna teams on array calibration and beam-steering strategy

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field

• 5+ years developing radar signal processing algorithms for fielded or prototype radar systems

• Strong DSP fundamentals: sampling and multirate processing, filter design, spectral estimation, detection and estimation theory, and statistical signal processing

• Hands-on experience with pulse-Doppler and/or FMCW processing: pulse compression, range-Doppler maps, MTI/MTD clutter filtering, and CFAR

• Array signal processing experience: digital or hybrid beamforming, angle-of-arrival estimation, and monopulse

• Fluency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm development and data analysis

• Experience taking algorithms to hardware, including fixed-point conversion, real-time constraints, and verification alongside FPGA or embedded engineers

• Experience collecting and analyzing data from real radar hardware in the lab and field

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related field

• Counter-UAS, short-range air surveillance, or small-target detection experience

• Adaptive beamforming, STAP, or high-resolution direction finding (MUSIC, ESPRIT)

• Experience with MIMO, multistatic, or networked radar architectures and advanced waveform design

• Multi-target tracking (IMM, JPDA, MHT) and sensor fusion across networked radars

• Micro-Doppler analysis or machine-learning-based target classification

• C/C++ for real-time processing; familiarity with HDL, HLS, or AMD RFSoC platforms

• Ku- or Ka-band phased-array experience, including array calibration

• Active U.S. security clearance

Why Roguebeam

This is a rare ground-floor opportunity. Joining a startup at this stage means your work has a direct, visible effect on whether the company succeeds—and a corresponding upside as we grow. Because we build the entire system in-house, you’ll see your software running on real phased arrays and deployed in working systems, not handed off and forgotten. You’ll have real ownership and a seat at the table on technical direction.

Export Control

This position requires access to technology and technical data subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons as defined in 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)).