Radar Payload Systems Engineer

KBR•Chantilly, VA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

KBR National Security Solutions is seeking a Senior Radar Payload Systems Engineer to support Government contracts in the design, development, implementation, integration, testing, and delivery of radar hardware, software, and systems solutions. The role focuses on an advanced space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and contributes to national security and space defense missions. The position includes defining RF front-end electronics and radar architecture, performing engineering analyses and link-budget modeling, supporting algorithm development, evaluating test data, and assessing verification and validation. The engineer will also monitor system-provider performance, conduct functional analyses and special studies, develop operating procedures, provide technical assistance, analyze project requirements, and ensure solutions integrate into complete systems. This is an on-site position in Chantilly, Virginia, with moderate travel (20% to 50%) to contractor facilities, test sites, or launch locations. Working hours are flexible, with support for standard Government work hours and surge support during integration and launch phases. An active TS/SCI clearance with current polygraph is required.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with current polygraph.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, applied physics, or a related STEM technical discipline; specific contract requirements regarding education and experience prevail.
12 or more years of experience supporting radar space-system hardware development, integration, and test.
Knowledge of remote-sensing technologies, including active and passive RF sensor systems, and the concepts, signal and image-processing algorithms, and software architectures that enable them.
Engineering software prototyping experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
Ability to establish and maintain trusted client relationships.
Knowledge of U.S. Government contracting and federal acquisition regulations, spacecraft lifecycle milestones, and review processes, with success operating in this environment.
Hands-on experience with radar payload systems, interfaces, and Assembly, Integration and Test (AI&T) activities.
Ability to use standard business management tools and financial systems, MS Office, and project-management software.
Ability to work both in a team environment and independently.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical issues clearly to senior Government leadership.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a related STEM technical discipline; a radar focus is highly preferred.
10 or more years of experience supporting radar space-system hardware development, integration, and test.
Experience working across multiple satellite programs or production lines.

Responsibilities

Define and document RF front-end electronics and the architecture of an advanced space-based SAR radar system, including antenna arrays, receivers, and digital electronics.
Perform engineering tasks to develop systems capable of meeting operational requirements within imposed constraints.
Perform link-budget modeling and analysis and conduct hardware-component trade studies.
Support algorithm and analytical development using scientific programming languages such as Python and MATLAB to process SAR and MTI data.
Analyze and assess integration and test data at component, subsystem, payload, and space-vehicle levels to identify and resolve hardware design and manufacturing issues.
Assess verification and validation of system-vendor testing at all levels to ensure the radar system meets requirements.
Monitor the system provider’s performance in designing, documenting, and verifying system interfaces.
Perform functional analyses to ensure systems meet performance criteria.
Formulate, recommend, and direct operations and procedures to resolve engineering and technical problems.
Conduct special studies and investigations related to projects.
Provide technical assistance and instruction related to design problems.
Analyze project requirements and provide information and instruction for designing, operating, maintaining, and modifying systems.
Ensure solutions can be integrated into viable, complete systems.
Perform other duties as assigned.