Senior Sensor Systems Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Multi-Domain Sensing Architectures and Data Fusion Group develops advanced sensing, signal processing, radar system, classification, and mission analysis capabilities that enable next-generation defense solutions. Our team combines expertise in radar and sensor systems, waveform and phenomenology analysis, modeling and simulation, systems analysis, algorithm development, and selective data fusion to solve complex technical challenges for our nation. We work closely with government sponsors and multidisciplinary teams to transition innovative concepts into operational capabilities, while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages technical excellence, leadership, innovation, and professional growth. The successful candidate will contribute across the lifecycle of advanced sensing capabilities, including radar and signal processing algorithm development, modeling and simulation, system analysis, architecture evaluation, verification and validation, test data analysis, and transition of innovative technologies into operational applications.

Requirements

Possess a BS in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Have 5+ years of experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination algorithms, or sensing architectures, including identifying and resolving complex technical and system design challenges.
Have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: radar signal processing, radar systems engineering, waveform analysis, detection and estimation theory, sensor phenomenology, sensor modeling, target characterization or discrimination, electronic sensing systems, resource management, system performance assessment, verification and validation, or radar/EO/IR system analysis.
Have experience conducting modeling, simulation, verification and validation, test data analysis, or performance assessments using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or similar scientific programming languages.
Have familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data association concepts as they relate to end-to-end sensing performance.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience collaborating with government sponsors and developing and delivering technical briefings to sponsors, senior leadership, and other external organizations.
Are willing and able to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed.
Hold an active Secret security clearance and are able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Possess an MS or PhD in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Have 7+ years of experience leading the development, evaluation, or analysis of advanced radar systems, signal processing algorithms, sensor systems, missile defense sensing capabilities, or multi-domain sensing architectures.
Have experience with air and missile defense, Missile Defense Agency programs, integrated air and missile defense, sensor resource management, multi-domain sensing, digital engineering, system-of-systems analysis, or advanced modeling and simulation.
Have experience leading radar or sensor system development efforts from concept development through algorithm prototyping, performance assessment, test planning, and transition to operational applications.
Have experience leading technical teams, mentoring junior staff, influencing technical direction, or serving as a technical lead on multidisciplinary projects.
Have experience collaborating with government sponsors and developing and delivering technical briefings to sponsors, senior leadership, and other external organizations.
Hold an active Top Secret security clearance and are able to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, evaluation, and evolution of advanced signal processing, radar system, sensing, classification, and sensor performance algorithms within complex system and system-of-systems architectures.
Support concept development, requirements analysis, and architecture trades for advanced radar and sensor systems.
Evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor system performance, including detection, discrimination, classification, and operational effectiveness measures.
Perform verification, validation, test data analysis, and performance assessment for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.
Analyze complex sensor systems and architectures, including radar phenomenology, sensor integration, resource management, and system-of-systems interactions.
Design and execute modeling, simulation, analysis, verification, and validation studies to assess system performance and develop quantitative recommendations for future capabilities.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, government sponsors, and external organizations to identify, analyze, and solve challenging technical problems spanning signal processing, radar systems, sensor architectures, algorithms, and operational concepts.
Develop innovative algorithmic prototypes, system analyses, and technical solutions that advance state-of-the-art sensing, tracking and classification capabilities.
Lead technical studies, influence project direction, and communicate results through clear, data-driven briefings and recommendations to sponsors, senior leadership, and other key stakeholders.
Mentor junior staff while contributing to a collaborative, technically rigorous, and mission-focused engineering environment