Sensor Systems Engineer - Radar Signal Processing and Sensor Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Multi-Domain Sensing Architectures and Data Fusion Group develops advanced radar, signal processing, sensor system, classification, discrimination, and mission-analysis capabilities for next-generation defense solutions. The group works with government sponsors and multidisciplinary teams to transition technical concepts into operational capabilities in a collaborative environment that supports technical excellence, hands-on learning, technical ownership, and leadership growth. The Sensor Systems Engineer contributes across the lifecycle of advanced sensing capabilities, including algorithm development, modeling and simulation, system analysis, architecture evaluation, verification and validation, test-data analysis, and technology transition. The role is intended for engineers with approximately 1–2 years of relevant experience who are prepared to develop technical expertise, own focused tasks, and grow toward technical leadership. Work includes developing and evaluating radar and sensing algorithms and systems, assessing end-to-end performance, and producing quantitative, data-driven recommendations. Tracking and data fusion may be applied as supporting elements of broader sensor-system performance objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
At least 1 year of relevant professional experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal-processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination algorithms, sensing architectures, modeling and simulation capabilities, or related technical analyses.
Experience in one or more of radar signal processing, detection and estimation theory, waveform analysis, 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.
Experience using MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or similar scientific programming languages for modeling, simulation, algorithm development, test-data analysis, or performance assessment.
Demonstrated technical ownership or emerging leadership through a project, internship, lab effort, capstone, sponsored project, or multidisciplinary technical task.
Ability to communicate technical results clearly through briefings, technical discussions, written analysis, and data-driven recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% as needed.
Active Secret security clearance and ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for eligibility for access to classified information.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Applied experience in radar systems, missile-defense sensing, air and missile defense, integrated air and missile defense, multi-domain sensing, or related national-security applications.
Experience taking an algorithm, model, or analysis capability from initial concept through prototype implementation, performance evaluation, and recommended next steps.
Experience with measured data, field-test data, high-fidelity simulation data, or hardware/software-in-the-loop evaluation for radar or sensor systems.
Experience coordinating a small technical effort, mentoring peers or interns, leading a student or early-career project team, or serving as a technical point of contact for a project stakeholder.
Familiarity with digital engineering, system-of-systems analysis, sensor resource management, architecture evaluation, or advanced modeling and simulation.
Familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data-association concepts as supporting elements of end-to-end sensing performance.
Experience collaborating with government sponsors, defense laboratories, industry partners, or multidisciplinary technical teams.
Active Top Secret security clearance and ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop, evaluate, and mature signal-processing, radar-system, sensing, classification, and discrimination algorithms within complex system and system-of-systems architectures.
Own focused technical tasks, analyses, prototypes, or modeling efforts from problem definition through results and recommendations.
Support concept development, requirements analysis, architecture trades, and performance assessment for advanced radar and sensor systems.
Evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance, including detection, estimation, discrimination, classification, and operational-effectiveness measures.
Perform verification, validation, test-data analysis, and performance assessment for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.
Analyze radar and sensor systems and architectures, including sensor phenomenology, waveform considerations, 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 technical problems involving signal processing, radar systems, sensor architectures, algorithms, and operational concepts.
Organize technical approaches, coordinate with teammates, communicate risks and findings, and deliver clear, data-driven recommendations.
Develop algorithmic prototypes, system analyses, and technical solutions that advance applied sensing, radar, discrimination, and classification capabilities.
Apply tracking and data-fusion concepts when they support broader sensor-system performance objectives.

Benefits

Robust education assistance program
Retirement contributions
Work/life balance
Retirement plans
Paid time off
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term disability insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Training and development
Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance