Senior Radar Engineer

About the role

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

About the role

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Senior Radar Engineer to join our team! In this role you will get to combine deep radar system knowledge with advanced reverse engineering capabilities to analyze, characterize, and document complex radar architectures.

What You'll Be Doing

Radar System Reverse Engineering

• Conduct comprehensive reverse engineering of radar systems including ground-based and airborne platforms.
• Analyze and characterize unknown radar waveforms, PRF patterns, and modulation schemes
• Reverse engineer radar hardware including transmitters, receivers, antenna systems, and signal processing chains
• Reconstruct radar system architectures, timing diagrams, and operational modes
• Identify radar types (pulse-Doppler, FMCW, phased array, SAR, ISAR, etc.) through signal analysis

Signal Analysis & Characterization

• Analyze radar emissions across multiple frequency bands (HF through mmWave)
• Perform detailed waveform analysis including pulse characteristics, chirp parameters, and coding schemes
• Decode radar signal processing techniques and detection algorithms
• Characterize radar performance parameters (range, resolution, sensitivity, PRF, duty cycle)
• Analyze electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and low probability of intercept (LPI) features

Hardware Analysis

• Perform and lead teardown analysis of radar components and subsystems
• Reverse engineer RF front-end circuits, power amplifiers, and receiver chains
• Analyze antenna arrays, feed networks, and beamforming architectures
• Identify components, chipsets, and technology nodes used in radar systems
• Conduct PCB analysis, circuit tracing, and signal flow documentation

Technical Intelligence & Documentation

• Prepare comprehensive technical intelligence reports on radar systems
• Document radar capabilities, limitations, and operational characteristics
• Create detailed technical drawings, block diagrams, and system specifications
• Develop countermeasure recommendations and vulnerability assessments
• Present findings to technical teams, management, and customers

Technical Skills - Radar

• Radar Theory: Deep understanding of radar principles, waveforms, and signal processing
• Radar Types: Experience with pulse-Doppler, SAR, ISAR, phased array systems, missile-borne seekers
• Waveform Analysis: Deep understanding of pulse compression, frequency modulation, phase coding
• Signal Processing: Deep understanding of matched filtering, Doppler processing, CFAR detection, tracking algorithms
• Antenna Systems: Knowledge of phased arrays, AESA/PESA, monopulse, beamforming

Technical Skills - Reverse Engineering

• RF Analysis: Proficiency with spectrum analyzers, VSAs, ELINT receivers, direction finding equipment
• Signal Intelligence: Experience with radar signal analysis, and characterization
• Hardware Analysis: PCB reverse engineering, component identification, circuit analysis
• Software Tools: Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, GNU Radio, IDA Pro, Ghidra
• Test Equipment: Hands-on experience with high-end RF test equipment

Required Clearance

• Must be a US Citizen
• Candidate must have an active TS/SCI Clearance with the ability to obtain/maintain a CI Polygraph

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience, OR Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years of relevant experience, OR a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with 2+ years of relevant experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently on complex, ambiguous problems
• Strong attention to detail and methodical approach

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Experience in signals intelligence (SIGINT) or electronic warfare (EW) environments
• Background with military radar systems (air defense, fire control, surveillance)
• Knowledge of radar electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic attack (EA)
• Familiarity with radar cross-section (RCS) analysis and stealth technology
• Understanding of space-based radar systems
• Experience with DRFM (Digital RF Memory) and radar jamming techniques

Specialized Knowledge Areas

Radar Waveforms

• Linear FM (chirp), non-linear FM, Barker codes, polyphase codes
• Frequency hopping, pulse compression, intrapulse modulation
• LPI waveforms and spread spectrum techniques

Radar Modes

• Search, track, track-while-scan, spotlight, stripmap
• Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse SAR (ISAR)

Electronic Warfare

• Radar warning receivers (RWR) and ESM systems
• Electronic countermeasures (ECM) and jamming techniques
• ECCM features and anti-jamming capabilities

Security Clearance Requirement

• An active Top Secret SCI security clearance is required to apply, however, the selected candidate must be able to obtain a Top Secret SCI w/Polygraph clearance prior to the start date.
• This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what's next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range

$86,700.00 - $151,700.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

We truly invest and care about our employee's wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest-APPLY TODAY!

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