Mission Systems Engineer

The Mission Systems Engineer designs and optimizes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) missions by translating user needs into robust technical solutions for payloads, processors, and ground software. This role focuses on performance modeling, system-level trade studies, and calibration to ensure high-quality imaging and mission success for space-based or airborne radar platforms. It offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced satellite and radar programs within an international space-focused environment.

• Collaborate with users and stakeholders to understand application needs and translate them into clear system and mission requirements.
• Develop detailed specifications for SAR payloads and processors, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and user applications.
• Perform performance modeling of SAR systems, including payload, processor, and ground segments, to predict and optimize system behavior.
• Conduct system-level trade studies between SAR theory, payload design, processor architecture, and ground software to achieve optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Define and support calibration strategies for SAR systems to ensure accurate and consistent image quality.
• Analyze and improve SAR image quality by applying deep knowledge of SAR theory and system behavior.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams involved in applications, payload, processor, and space mission design to ensure system integration and mission readiness.
• Contribute to the design and validation of space missions that incorporate SAR payloads, including consideration of end-to-end system performance.
• Support technical reviews, documentation, and presentations related to mission concepts, system specifications, and performance analyses.

• Mastery of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) theory, including principles of SAR imaging and system performance.
• Proven experience with SAR applications, processors, and payloads, with the ability to connect user needs to technical solutions.
• Hands-on experience with satellite-based SAR systems or airborne radar systems performing SAR functions.
• Strong background in space mission design, particularly missions that include SAR payloads.
• Demonstrated ability to perform performance modeling for SAR systems, including payload, processor, and ground software components.
• Experience conducting trade studies between theoretical models, hardware payloads, processors, and ground software implementations.
• Expertise in SAR calibration and image quality assessment.
• Ability to write clear, detailed technical specifications for payloads and processors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a systems engineering mindset.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

• Experience with multifunctional radar systems, including radar platforms where SAR is one of several modes.
• background in airborne radar systems that implement SAR capabilities.
• Familiarity with end-to-end space mission architectures involving radar payloads.
• Ability to bridge theoretical concepts with practical implementation in hardware and software.
• Comfort working in an international, space-focused environment supporting satellite and radar programs.

This role is fully remote, with quarterly travel to British Columbia, Canada for team collaboration, reviews, and on-site activities. You will work with international teams focused on satellite and radar missions, engaging in advanced SAR and space mission design projects. The position involves a modern, technology-driven environment with extensive collaboration across applications, payload, processor, and ground…