Systems Engineer - AN/SPY-1 Radar System

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Crane (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is seeking a Systems Engineer to support design recovery, sustainment planning, and digital transformation of the AN/SPY-1 radar system.

The role emphasizes requirements analysis, interface definition, integration planning, and MBSE-driven baseline development within an Integrated Program Team (IPT). A strong radar background and active clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years in systems engineering or radar sustainment.
• Proficient in MBSE and toolsets (Cameo, Rhapsody, DOORS).
• Experience with radar or defense electronic systems in legacy environments.
• Active Secret Clearance; TS/SCI preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support system-level requirements decomposition for SPY-1 subsystems.
• Develop traceability to ICDs and test objectives.
• Create digital baseline using MBSE tools and data repositories.
• Define architectures for SPY-1 and subassemblies.
• Support design recovery and reverse engineering of legacy hardware.
• Develop verification and validation plans with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain configuration management and change evaluation.

Skills

System engineering

Requirements analysis

Architecture modeling

Technical writing

Communication

MBSE concepts

Active Secret Clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Cameo

Rhapsody

DOORS

Job description

Kratos is seeking a motivated and technically skilled Systems Engineer to support the design recovery, sustainment planning, and digital transformation of the AN/SPY-1 radar system. The Systems Engineer will play a central role in requirements analysis, interface definition, integration planning, and technical baseline development for a complex legacy radar system transitioning to a modernized sustainment model. This position is part of a cross-functional Integrated Program Team (IPT) focused on restoring and evolving radar capability through prototyping, organic depot stand-up, and data-driven lifecycle engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead or support development and decomposition of system-level requirements for radar subsystems (transmitter, signal processor, antenna).
• Develop and manage requirements traceability to radar weapon specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), and test objectives.
• Support creation of a digital technical baseline leveraging Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and structured data repositories.
• Define and maintain functional, logical, and physical architectures for the SPY-1 system and its subassemblies.
• Participate in design recovery and reverse engineering efforts for GFE hardware and legacy system documentation.
• Analyze subsystem interdependencies and define interface specifications and system constraints.
• Collaborate with test, software, and hardware engineers to develop verification and validation plans.
• Contribute to technical reviews, risk assessments, and system readiness planning across program phases.
• Support technical baseline control through configuration management, change evaluation, and documentation updates.
• Assist with the development of Integrated Data Packages (ITDPs) and depot activation planning documents.

Experience And Skills

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering or radar system development/sustainment.
• Strong understanding of system engineering lifecycle processes, including requirements analysis, design definition, integration, and verification.
• Experience working with complex radar or defense electronic systems, especially in legacy environments with limited technical data.
• Familiarity with MBSE methodologies and tools (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Ability to develop and interpret functional block diagrams, interface specifications, and architecture models.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and technical writing skills.
• Active Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AN/SPY-1 or other complex radar systems.
• Knowledge of Open Systems Architecture (OSA) principles and Navy digital transformation initiatives.
• Prior involvement in DMSMS analysis, sustainment roadmap development, or depot stand-up activities.
• Familiarity with AI/ML integration, digital thread concepts, and configuration-controlled data environments.
• Active TS/SCI Clearance

Travel:

~10-20%, including to government labs, OEM facilities, and Kratos engineering/test sites.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

EEO Is The Law

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Aff... EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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