Lead Radar Engineer

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Job Description:

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Lead 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

• Lead comprehensive reverse engineering of radar systems including ground-based and airborne platforms.
• Lead, analyze, and characterize unknown radar waveforms, PRF patterns, and modulation schemes
• Oversee reverse engineering of radar hardware including transmitters, receivers, antenna systems, and signal processing chains
• Oversee reconstruction of radar system architectures, timing diagrams, and operational modes
• Lead signal analysis efforts to identify radar types

Signal Analysis & Characterization

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

Hardware Analysis

• Perform and lead teardown analysis of radar components and subsystems
• Lead the reverse engineering of RF front-end circuits, power amplifiers, and receiver chains
• Analyze and oversee antenna arrays, feed networks, and beamforming architectures
• Oversee identification of components, chipsets, and technology nodes used in radar systems
• Oversee PCB analysis, circuit tracing, and signal flow documentation

Technical Intelligence & Documentation

• Prepare and review comprehensive technical intelligence reports on radar systems
• Document and review radar capabilities, limitations, and operational characteristics
• Oversee creation of detailed technical drawings, block diagrams, and system specifications
• Develop and oversee countermeasure recommendations and vulnerability assessments
• Lead technical teams

​Technical Skills - Radar

• Radar Theory: Expert understanding of radar principles, waveforms, and signal processing
• Radar Types: Experience with pulse-Doppler, SAR, ISAR, phased array systems
• Waveform Analysis: Expert understanding of pulse compression, frequency modulation, phase coding
• Signal Processing: Expert understanding of matched filtering, Doppler processing, CFAR detection, tracking algorithms
• Antenna Systems: Deep 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 Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain/maintain a TS/SCI with CI Polygraph​

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering with 15+ years of relevant experience, OR Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with 12+ years of relevant experience, OR a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently on and lead complex, ambiguous problems
• Strong attention to detail and methodical approach

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

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

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 Secret security clearance is required for this position.​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: $155,600.00 - $280,100.00We 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!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.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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