2025 Radar Signal Processing Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration.   With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions.  Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

We are seeking a Radar Signal Processing Engineer in the Radar and Signal Systems Department for the Sensor Systems Subdivision within MPD.  This group comprises a diverse set of highly respected engineers and scientists, who provide matrix support to a variety of government space programs of national importance. The department utilizes engineering judgment, knowledge of current technology and national systems to advise customers, such as the United States Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and variety of Civil and Commercial organizations, on technical matters relating to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing. Technical challenges cover a broad range of disciplines including antennas, the entire transmit and receive chain, radar system modeling, ground moving target identification, electronic warfare, maritime surveillance, image processing, algorithm development for advanced SAR image products and exploitation.  

Work Model

This position will be a hybrid work model position based in El Segundo, CA that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility, as business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing signal processing and system architecting expertise in the areas of SAR/MTI system modeling and target tracking; work may involve system level analysis such as signal propagation, RF system performance, requirements development and review

• Developing unique solutions and efficient implementations of signal processing algorithms for challenging mission applications

• Using common industry signal processing tools such as IDL, MATLAB, Python or C++ to analyze data and generate algorithms

• Providing oversight, guidance and technical advice on customer projects involving digital signal processing and other real-time computationally-intensive problems

• Verify contractor designs, approaches and overall system performance

• Ability to work with minimal management oversight; ability to coordinate, organize and lead the work of other Aerospace staff

• Generating periodic written reports and presentations to customer and Aerospace management

• Communicating with a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, and senior leadership

• Travel as necessary to support customer needs

What You Need to be Successful –

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited college/university program in mathematics, physics or electrical engineering (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

• 0-1 year of industry work experience

• Familiarity with two or more of the following problems in languages IDL, MATLAB, C/C++, and Python

• Ability to travel domestically occasionally

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need

• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Ph.D. degree in mathematics, physics or electrical engineering

• Exposure to software development including with parallel programming (e.g. Spark, CUDA, MPI)

• Familiarity with various tracking algorithms including radar-based tracking

• Experience or exposure to radar performance modeling and analysis of radar signals processing, encompassing use cases in SAR imaging, MTI and/or resiliency techniques

• Current Top-Secret clearance with SCI access

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Max)

$95,000 - $130,000Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.