Senior Radar Payload Systems Engineer

About the role

KBR's National Security Solutions team is looking for a Senior Radar Payload Systems Engineer to join its team in Chantilly, Virginia. The engineer contributes to the design, development, implementation, integration, testing and delivery of radar hardware, software and systems solutions for government contracts, with moderate travel (20% to 50%) to contractor facilities, test sites or launch locations.

Key responsibilities

• Radar hardware development: define and document the RF front-end electronics and architecture of an advanced space-based SAR radar, including antenna arrays, receivers and digital electronics.
• Perform engineering tasks to develop systems that meet operational requirements within constraints.
• Support acquisition modeling with link-budget analysis and trade studies for hardware components.
• Support algorithm and analytical development in languages such as Python and MATLAB to process SAR and MTI data.
• Analyze integration and test data at component, subsystem, payload and space vehicle levels, and assess vendor testing and verification.
• Monitor the system provider's performance on interfaces and perform functional analyses.
• Formulate operations and procedures, conduct special studies, and provide technical assistance and project requirements analysis.
• Ensure solutions integrate into complete systems and perform other duties as assigned.

Required profile

• Active TS/SCI clearance (with current polygraph).
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, applied physics or a related STEM discipline; specific contract requirements prevail.
• Demonstrated 8+ years of experience supporting radar space system hardware development, integration and test.
• Knowledge of remote sensing technologies, including active and passive RF sensors and their signal and image processing algorithms.
• Hands-on experience with radar payload systems, interfaces and AI&T activities.
• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly to senior government leadership.

Required skills

• Prototyping software in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Knowledge of U.S. government contracting and federal acquisition regulations.
• Proficiency with MS Office, business management tools and project management software.

Desired: a Master's or Ph.D. in a related STEM field (radar focus preferred), 10+ years of radar hardware experience, and experience across multiple satellite programs or production lines. KBR offers benefits such as a 401K with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending account, paid time off and flexible work schedule, plus professional training and development.