Principal Space Radiation Survivability Engineer

Remote Principal Radiation Survivability Engineer

Job Description

The Principal Radiation Survivability Engineer will serve as the technical authority for radiation environment definition, analysis, mitigation, and verification across advanced aerospace and defense programs. As a senior member of the engineering organization, this individual will lead radiation survivability strategy for complex, integrated electronic systems-spanning semiconductors, Printed Circuit Card Assemblies (PCAs), sensors, avionics, and spaceborne platforms. The successful candidate will leverage deep expertise in radiation and solid-state physics, and microelectronics reliability to guide design teams, assess mission environments, define test approaches, and ensure hardware survivability.

Responsibilities

+ Define mission radiation environments spectra and perform component and system level effects assessments.

+ Model radiation transport and shielding effectiveness to inform system architecture decisions.

+ Perform worst-case analysis, margin assessments, and susceptibility evaluations.

+ Recommend component selection, shielding strategies, circuit level hardening techniques, and system level architectural approaches.

+ Guide electronic design teams on layout, redundancy, error detection/correction, derating, and other resilience mechanisms.

+ Develop radiation test plans, including TID/ELDRS, DDD/TNID, and SEE testing.

+ Coordinate with external radiation test facilities and oversee execution and data analysis.

+ Document results, maintain compliance evidence, and communicate performance impacts and required mitigations.

+ Partner with design engineering, suppliers, reliability teams, and program management to ensure radiation requirements are met.

+ Identify risks early, recommend corrective actions, and support variance resolution.

+ Provide technical leadership reviews and serve as the subject matter expert during customer engagements.

Essential Skills

+ Minimum 10 years of experience in radiation survivability engineering for aerospace, space, and/or defense electronic systems.

+ Deep technical knowledge of radiation effects for EEE parts and other related materials.

+ Proficiency in radiation modeling tools (e.g., CREME
96, SPENVIS, R-GENTIC, SEAM4, GEANT4, MCNP, FASTRAD, etc.).

+ Demonstrated experience developing and executing radiation test campaigns at accredited facilities.

+ Strong communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Physics, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).

+

Experience with spaceborne electronics, rad hard design, FPGA radiation characterization, and/or EEE parts reliability.

+ Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in radiation physics, EEE parts reliability, or related field.

+ Experience guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams and mentoring junior radiation engineers.

+ Familiarity with aerospace program life cycles, requirements development, and mission environment definition.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfax, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $100.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:  - Medical, dental & vision
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital  - 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)  - Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)  - Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Final date to receive applications

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.

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