Space Radar Engineer

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. **Role and Responsibilities include:** - 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. ### Required Qualifications: - Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph (polygraph within the last ten (10) years). - Master's degree in engineering 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%.