Space-Based Radar System Architect

The Aerospace Corporation • Chantilly, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Future Architectures Department is seeking a Space-Based Radar System Architect for its GEOINT Innovations Office, part of the National Systems Group’s Imagery Programs Division. The office advises the government on future architecture, research, technology development, and commercial data acquisition. The role uses modeling, simulation, image processing, and mission expertise to shape GEOINT solutions and help government customers define future radar architectures, advance capabilities, and develop concepts of operations (CONOPs), informing budget and acquisition decisions for next-generation GEOINT space systems.

As integration leader for a multidisciplinary technical team, the successful candidate will coordinate engineering domain experts, assess system designs and contractor proposals, and communicate technical and programmatic risks and recommendations to Aerospace management, government customers, and contractors. The role also provides oversight of task execution and budgets, responds to urgent technical inquiries, mentors team members and customer representatives, and identifies opportunities to expand the program’s work. The position requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, Virginia.

This is a Senior Project Leader-level role. Applicants must have a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance with a polygraph. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in mathematics, physics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 12 years of experience after earning a bachelor’s degree.
• Technical experience in architecture modeling, orbital mechanics, and space systems.
• Strong understanding of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems.
• Familiarity with remote-sensing radar or RF mission payloads.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and integrate multidisciplinary technical teams and coordinate cross-functional contributors to deliver decision-driving products on large, multi-phase programs.
• Experience acting as a spokesperson or primary technical liaison between a working group and management or customer stakeholders.
• Experience monitoring or contributing to budget development and task-execution oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff, SETA personnel, and customer representatives in technical program execution.
• Current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance with a polygraph; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of GEOINT architectures, SAR, and Moving Target Indication (MTI).
• Experience planning or conducting architectural and optimization trade studies.
• Experience developing visualizations with modeling and simulation software to depict constellations and architectures.
• Program Office experience working directly with contractors, SETA, and government customers.
• Experience working within the intelligence community and advising senior officials.
• Prior experience in an engineering matrix supporting program-office and customer senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience participating in new business development or technical planning, including identifying and securing new tasks or projects for a team or program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate engineering-matrix domain experts performing payload, vehicle, and constellation-level design trades.
• Evaluate future GEOINT architectures for performance, requirements satisfaction, and mission utility.
• Review contractor proposals and independently assess system capabilities against user needs, identifying risks and opportunities for the Government.
• Serve as a working-group spokesperson, communicating technical and programmatic issues and recommendations to Aerospace management, government customers, and contractors.
• Respond to urgent technical inquiries from NRO, NGA, ODNI, DoW, NRO leadership, and Congress.
• Provide daily oversight of task execution and budgets, and communicate status and findings to customers and management.
• Secure technical support from corporate resources to meet mission objectives.
• Mentor SETA, Aerospace, and customer representatives on technical program execution.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and tasks that expand Aerospace’s GEOINT contributions.
• Apply strategy and critical thinking to solve complex technical challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior