Sensor Systems Engineer – Radar Processing

Requirements

• We require a bachelors degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• We require at least 1 year of professional experience developing, evaluating, or assessing signal processing algorithms, radar systems, sensor systems, classification or discrimination methods, sensing architectures, modeling and simulation, or similar technical work.
• We look for experience in areas such as 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 analysis.
• We require proficiency with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Julia, or comparable scientific programming languages for modeling, simulation, algorithm development, test data analysis, or performance assessment.
• We value demonstrated technical ownership or early leadership through a project, internship, lab effort, capstone, sponsored project, or multidisciplinary technical assignment.
• We require strong communication skills with the ability to present technical findings clearly in briefings, discussions, written analysis, and data-driven recommendations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• We require willingness and ability to travel up to 10% as needed.
• We require an active Secret clearance, the ability to ultimately obtain TS/SCI, eligibility for a government security investigation, and U.S. citizenship.
• A masters degree in electrical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, computer science, systems engineering, statistics, mathematics, or a related field is preferred.
• Additional experience in radar systems, missile defense sensing, air and missile defense, integrated air and missile defense, multi-domain sensing, or related national security applications is highly desirable.
• Experience carrying an algorithm, model, or analysis capability from concept through prototype, evaluation, and recommended next steps is preferred.
• Familiarity with measured data, field test data, high-fidelity simulation data, or hardware/software-in-the-loop evaluation for radar or sensor systems is an asset.
• Experience coordinating a small technical effort, mentoring peers or interns, leading an early-career team, or serving as a technical point of contact is beneficial.
• Familiarity with digital engineering, system-of-systems analysis, sensor resource management, architecture evaluation, or advanced modeling and simulation is a plus.
• Familiarity with tracking, state estimation, multi-sensor data fusion, or data association as supporting capabilities is advantageous.
• Experience working with government sponsors, defense laboratories, industry partners, or multidisciplinary technical teams is preferred.
• An active Top Secret clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• We develop, assess, and mature signal processing, radar, sensing, classification, and discrimination algorithms within complex system and system-of-systems environments.
• We take ownership of focused technical assignments, analyses, prototypes, or modeling efforts and carry them from problem definition through conclusions and recommendations.
• We support concept development, requirements analysis, architecture trade studies, and performance evaluation for advanced radar and sensor systems.
• We evaluate end-to-end radar and sensor performance, including detection, estimation, discrimination, classification, and operational effectiveness.
• We perform verification, validation, test data analysis, and performance assessment for prototype and operational sensing capabilities.
• We analyze radar and sensor architectures, including phenomenology, waveform considerations, sensor integration, resource management, and system-of-systems interactions.
• We design and execute modeling, simulation, analysis, verification, and validation studies to measure system performance and inform future capability recommendations.
• We collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, government sponsors, and external organizations to solve challenging technical problems across signal processing, radar systems, sensor architectures, algorithms, and operational concepts.
• We provide technical leadership by organizing our approach, coordinating with teammates, communicating risks and findings, and delivering clear, data-driven recommendations.
• We build algorithmic prototypes, system analyses, and technical solutions that advance applied sensing, radar, discrimination, and classification capabilities.
• We apply tracking and data fusion concepts where they support broader sensor system performance objectives.

Company:

We are the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), where we bring world-class expertise to critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. Our culture is collaborative,…