Senior principal radar signals engineer

SAIC is hiring a Senior Principal Radar Signals Engineer to join a mission-driven analysis team in Chantilly, VA supporting multiple satellite programs at the forefront of national innovation. This team is advancing novel satellite missions that directly support national priorities, operating within a highly engaged Government environment with frequent access to senior Government decision-makers. The engineer will lead modeling, simulation, and analysis of satellite-tracking radar systems for satellites in a wide range of Earth orbits, collaborating with experts in propulsion, optics, AI/ML, cloud, GPUs, and astrodynamics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design and analyze satellite-tracking radar signals, waveforms, and signal processing algorithms to support detection, acquisition, tracking, and characterization of space objects.
• Perform antenna design and analysis, including performance modeling and trade studies, to optimize radar system effectiveness against satellite targets in LEO, MEO, GEO, and other orbits.
• Develop and apply modeling and simulation tools to evaluate end-to-end radar performance and mission concepts, leveraging Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar tools and high-performance computing resources.
• Conduct independent trade studies and technical assessments, and review/validate algorithms, models, and analysis results from internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team (astrodynamics, optical sensing, AI/ML, cloud/HPC) to simulate mission operations concepts at scale and provide integrated, actionable insights to customers.
• Develop and present clear, technically rigorous briefings and recommendations to senior Government customers and internal stakeholders.
• (Optional) Perform radar return modeling using 3D satellite models to support characterization and concept-of-operations analyses.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field and 14+ years of relevant experience;
• OR Master’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience;
• OR PhD (or JD with directly relevant technical experience) and 9+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with target-tracking radar signals, including signal design and digital signal processing for detection, tracking, and characterization.
• Strong foundation in electrical engineering, advanced mathematics, and digital signal processing (DSP).
• Proficiency with Python, C++, MATLAB, or similar languages for modeling, simulation, and analysis of radar or RF systems.
• Proven experience conducting independent technical analyses, trade studies, and assessments, and documenting results in technical reports or briefings.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, and to communicate complex technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Clearance Requirements:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Polygraph.
• Must be willing and able to work onsite in Chantilly, VA in a classified environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with space domain awareness (SDA), space surveillance, or satellite-tracking radar systems.
• Background in antenna design, phased arrays, or RF front-end architectures for radar systems.
• Experience modeling radar performance against satellites in varied orbital regimes, including consideration of clutter, interference, and environmental effects.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments, GPU-based processing, or cloud-based modeling and simulation workflows.
• Experience working directly with senior Government customers, including preparing and delivering technical presentations and recommendations.
• Prior experience in a lead, principal, or subject-matter-expert role, including mentoring junior engineers or analysts.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is primarily performed in an office, laboratory, or classified facility environment.
• Ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods, including frequent use of standard office and IT equipment.
• Occasional walking, standing, and movement between offices, conference rooms, and secure areas.
• Ability to participate in on-site meetings and briefings, which may require extended periods of sitting and focus.

SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.