Senior Radar Systems Engineer

SAIC•Crane, IN

About The Position

SAIC is seeking a highly qualified and experienced RADAR Systems Engineer for an immediate opening with the SENSE + INTERDICTION (SENSEI) Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS)/Counter Unmanned Systems (CUxS) Research and Development (R&D) program in Crane, IN. This position requires technical expertise in the areas of RADAR technology, Radio Frequency (RF) engineering, and the ability to evaluate similar RADAR systems against defined operational and technical parameters. We are looking for a candidate to support the identification, analysis, and technical evaluation of high performance Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RADAR systems. The teammate must be capable of high-level output centered on the identification, assessment, test, and evaluation of RADAR replacement candidates compatible with the SENSEI system. The primary responsibility will be to conduct an Analysis of Alternatives and provide the results to the government customer. You would help ensure success by looking at the major segments and trends by platform, application, and overall technology, while considering the RADAR market size, key growth drivers, and key players. You must have strong analytical and communication skills and work well in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment. This position requires careful analysis of RADAR system capabilities across the RADAR technology market, applying holistic thinking to see the systems as a whole in order to avoid sub-optimal solutions. This position requires a deep understanding of RADAR and RF engineering principles as well as experience in developing and maintaining a RADAR system database that would provide comparison and contrast of existing RADAR systems compatible and interoperable with the SENSEI system. You will provide technical support to facilitate the identification and down selection of the next generation of RADAR systems for integration into the SENSEI system. It is expected that you will work cooperatively with development contractors, vendors, government customers, stakeholders, and mission partners to methodically narrow the replacement candidate list, while actively performing engineering and analysis to ensure the most appropriate capabilities are identified.

Requirements

Bachelors and (5) years or more experience; Masters and three (3) years’ experience.
Knowledge of RADAR taxonomy and RF subsystem engineering (RADAR antennas and phased arrays, transmit/receive modules, and RADAR electronics trades). Experience with detection, tracking, and hemispherical surveillance for small, low-altitude drones and other aerial threats over wide areas and integration into existing CUAS systems.
Familiar with lifecycle cost analysis & estimation, decision analysis and physical configuration analysis (PCA) with the ability to apply it as a metric for system evaluation.
Experience and proficiency with advanced 3D, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RADAR, pulsed Doppler, Software-Defined multi-domain systems, in particular, those for multi-mission use, especially counter-UAS (C-UAS) operations, short-range air defense, and C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar) tasks.
Experience evaluating third-party RADARs from the systems-engineering perspective to perform competitive assessments.
Candidate must be a US Citizen with an active Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Understand object detection algorithms while working with system architecture to ensure performance meets specific requirements for functions such as air defense, counter-drone.
Clearly identify RADAR subsystems and components, determining subsystem implementation characteristics (analog hardware, digital hardware, software, or firmware), and outlining RADAR modes and parameters.
Test and evaluate complex RADAR systems, focusing on integrating RF hardware, signal processing, and software to meet specific performance needs.
Analyze RADAR system architectures, RF hardware solutions, phased array solutions, electronic protection, digital waveform generation, and RADAR signal processing techniques.
Research and identify viable RADAR systems that would be compatible and interoperable with the SENSEI CUAS system.
Assess overall RADAR system performance, integrating RF, digital signal processing (DSP), software, and mechanical aspects to meet mission goals (e.g., detecting aircraft, mapping terrain).
Create and manage a database that provides a complete list of fully operational RADAR systems with specific detection, tracking, and imaging capabilities that meet operational requirements.
Provide specific, detailed information for selection of the most efficient solution to meet operational needs, including present and future capacity requirements.
Create modeling and simulation variable test scenarios and operational analysis for government customers.
Provide technical and cost assessment of vendor proposals, review technical reports, design artifacts and program plans.
Ability to bridge hardware (antennas, transmitters) and software (algorithms, data processing) to provide sound recommendations on functional, high-performing systems.
Assist in the development of the overall RADAR architecture, selecting appropriate technologies, waveforms, and subsystems.