Kapta Space

Spaceborne radar systems using metasurface antennas

Principal Radar Engineer - MTI

Electrical EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeRedmond, WA, USA$195k - $250k /yrIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, or a related field is required.
At least 8 years of experience in radar systems and signal processing, including MTI detection and target tracking, is required.
Expertise in waveform design, Doppler processing, detection theory, clutter, tracking, and radar performance is required.
Experience with SAR-based MTI/GMTI algorithms and tracker modeling and evaluation is required.
Strong MATLAB and Python skills for modeling, simulation, algorithms, and data analysis are required.
A strong foundation in estimation theory, probability and statistics, Fourier analysis, and numerical methods is required.
Ability to translate mission needs into requirements, architectures, trade studies, and verification plans in a lean startup environment is required.

Responsibilities

Define requirements and architectures for spaceborne MTI detection, tracking, and performance.
Develop MTI algorithms for Doppler processing, clutter suppression, detection, association, and tracking.
Model radar and tracker performance in MATLAB and Python across representative orbital geometries and target scenarios.
Lead waveform, processing, detection-threshold, and tracker trade studies to optimize mission performance.
Analyze simulated and measured data and define metrics, test cases, and verification methods.
Partner with RF/antenna, FPGA, software, and systems teams to implement and validate algorithms on hardware.
Serve as the MTI radar subject-matter expert, mentor engineers, support customer reviews, and help grow the radar team.

Desired Qualifications

An advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Signal Processing, or a related field is preferred.
Experience with spaceborne radar/SAR, including orbital-geometry impacts on MTI performance, is preferred.
Experience with advanced tracking methods such as Kalman, EKF, UKF, IMM, MHT, track-before-detect, or feature-aided tracking is preferred.
Experience with SAR/MTI clutter suppression using DPCA, STAP, or other multi-channel techniques is preferred.
Familiarity with STANAG 4607/4676, OMS/UCI, or related MTI data standards is preferred.
Experience with phased arrays, electronic beam steering, digital beamforming, and radar calibration is preferred.
Experience with real-time algorithm implementation in C/C++, FPGA, GPU, or embedded processors is preferred.
Experience with radar integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and verification/validation is preferred.
Experience briefing DoD/IC customers as a principal technical representative is preferred.
A current or obtainable Top Secret/SCI security clearance is preferred.

Salary Range: 195000 to 250000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence. Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta Space is seeking a Principal Radar Engineer to lead radar systems engineering and algorithm development for spaceborne MTI, including target detection, tracking, and performance modeling. We are seeking a hands-on radar SME who can translate mission needs into high-performance radar modes and algorithms.

Role

Define requirements and architectures for spaceborne MTI detection, tracking, and performance

Develop MTI algorithms for Doppler processing, clutter suppression, detection, association, and tracking

Model radar and tracker performance in MATLAB/Python across representative orbital geometries and target scenarios

Lead waveform, processing, detection-threshold, and tracker trade studies to optimize mission performance

Analyze simulated and measured data; define metrics, test cases, and verification methods

Partner with RF/antenna, FPGA, software, and systems teams to implement and validate algorithms on hardware

Serve as MTI radar SME, mentor engineers, support customer reviews, and help grow the radar team

Required Qualifications

BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, or related field

8+ years in radar systems/signal processing, including MTI detection and target tracking

Expertise in waveform design, Doppler processing, detection theory, clutter, tracking, and radar performance

Experience with SAR-based MTI/GMTI algorithms and tracker modeling/evaluation

Strong MATLAB/Python skills for modeling, simulation, algorithms, and data analysis

Strong foundation in estimation theory, probability/statistics, Fourier analysis, and numerical methods

Ability to turn mission needs into requirements, architectures, trade studies, and verification plans in a lean startup environment

Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas:

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in EE, Physics, Mathematics, Signal Processing, or related field

Spaceborne radar/SAR experience, including orbital-geometry impacts on MTI performance

Advanced tracking methods: Kalman/EKF/UKF, IMM, MHT, track-before-detect, or feature-aided tracking

SAR/MTI clutter suppression using DPCA, STAP, or other multi-channel techniques

Familiarity with STANAG 4607/4676, OMS/UCI, or related MTI data standards

Phased arrays, electronic beam steering, digital beamforming, and radar calibration

Real-time algorithm implementation in C/C++, FPGA, GPU, or embedded processors

Radar integration, hardware-in-the-loop test, and verification/validation experience

Experience briefing DoD/IC customers as a principal technical representative

Current or ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Concerned you do not meet all the requirements? Not a problem - please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kapta Employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce as applicable.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email [email protected].

About the Company

Kapta Space

Spaceborne radar systems using metasurface antennas

Kapta Space develops spaceborne radar systems for Low Earth Orbit satellites using metasurface antennas to create electronically steerable arrays, enabling high-resolution Earth observation for defense and commercial customers. The sensors mounted on satellites steer beams electronically via the metasurface antenna, providing SAR, InSAR, and GMTI imaging with on-orbit operation that works in all weather and daylight while aiming for lower cost and power than traditional AESAs. It differentiates itself by focusing on metasurface ESAs to reduce cost, complexity, and power, led by veterans from Echodyne, with early DoD funding and a seed round to accelerate on-orbit demonstrations. The company aims to deploy a persistent spaceborne radar constellation that delivers weather-unrestricted geospatial imagery for defense uses and commercial monitoring of infrastructure and land displacement.

Company size: 11-50
Company stage: Series A
Total funding: $29M
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
Founded: 2022

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