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Senior Radar Systems Engineer (SETA) - Spaceborne GEOINT with Security Clearance

SAICChantilly, VA🇺🇸United StatesPosted Oct 14, 2026

Why This Role Stands Out

This on-site role offers a competitive salary range and the chance to significantly impact national security by supporting critical spaceborne GEOINT radar systems. You'll thrive here if you possess a strong background in radar systems engineering and enjoy providing expert technical analysis and guidance to government customers. Apply now to contribute to cutting-edge space technology and advance your career.

Quick Overview

Salary
$120.0k - $160k/yr
Seniority
Mid Senior
Employment type
Employee
Work mode
On Site
Location
Chantilly, VA, United States
Posted
5 days ago
MATLABPython

Job Description

Description SAIC is hiring a Senior Radar Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to a classified Government customer in Chantilly, VA. You will support the development, integration, test, launch, and checkout of a radar-enabled national security space system, providing technical analysis, contractor oversight, test data review, and anomaly resolution across space and ground segments. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Analyze radar payload designs, RF architectures, waveforms, and sensor performance for spaceborne GEOINT missions.
  • Provide independent SETA insight into contractor activities, including design reviews, technical trades, risks, and requirements/schedule compliance.
  • Develop, refine, and trace system- and payload-level requirements across space, ground, and mission-processing segments.
  • Support integration, test, launch, and on-orbit checkout, including test data review, performance assessment, and anomaly resolution.
  • Evaluate end-to-end mission architecture (tasking, collection, downlink, processing, exploitation, dissemination) and recommend technical improvements.
  • Prepare and deliver concise technical briefings and recommendations to government leaders and mission stakeholders. Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM or related discipline and nine (9)+ years of relevant experience; OR
  • Master's degree and seven (7)+ years of relevant experience; OR
  • PhD and four (4)+ years of relevant experience;
  • Additional directly relevant radar/space systems experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree per SAIC policy.
  • Knowledge or experience with radar systems, RF sensing, SAR, GMTI, or radar phenomenology sufficient to evaluate contractor designs and performance.
  • Experience supporting complex space or airborne sensing programs in systems engineering (requirements, architecture, integration/test, or mission operations).
  • Familiarity with government acquisition processes and space/ground integration for ISR, GEOINT, or national security space missions.
  • Experience using analysis/modeling tools such as MATLAB, Python, STK, or similar.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting technical findings to senior stakeholders.

Clearance Requirements

  • Active TS/SCI with a current Poly.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a government polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with a prime contractor, radar payload developer, or FFRDC on spaceborne or airborne radar programs.
  • Hands-on or analytic experience with SAR, GMTI, radar image formation, or radar exploitation algorithms.
  • Experience supporting NRO, NGA, or other IC/DoD space or GEOINT programs in a SETA/acquisition role.
  • Working knowledge of MBSE/SysML or similar digital-engineering tools.
  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Radar/Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related field.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to work onsite full-time in a secure facility in Chantilly, VA.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer or in meetings.
  • Occasional lifting of items such as laptops and documents (up to ~20 lbs). 2026.10.2 Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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