Freelance Sensor Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. Department Summary: MITRE's Sensors, Electromagnetics and EW Department-within MITRE Labs' Electronic Systems and Technologies Innovation Center is a broad and experienced team focused on designing, prototyping, evaluating, testing and fielding disruptive solutions in the following technology areas: * Antennas and electromagnetics
* Sensors (Radar, EO, IR, Hyperspectral, LiDAR)
* HF sensing and communications * Signal Processing and Algorithm Development * Satellite communications
* Electronic Warfare (EW) for radar
We are looking to grow our team and are seeking highly talented and motivated candidates with strong technical skills in these areas. Roles & Responsibilities: * Foster and develop innovative, transformational solutions to sensing related challenges and capability gaps for both fielded and developmental systems
* Develop and utilize code (MATLAB, Python) for sensor design development, test and evaluation, performance modeling at the system and sub-system level
* Participate in data collections, conduct experiments and perform data analyses
* Evaluate technologies, identify risks, and develop alternate solutions
* Design and prototype sensor algorithms and sensor signal processing solutions,
* Develop and evaluate sensor requirements for both fielded and developmental systems
* Participate in MITRE Labs' presence in peer-reviewed publications, patent submissions, and external conferences/workshops
* Support/lead work shaping and proposal development efforts to expand our work program into new areas
* Engage in personal career and technical growth as well as quickly developing skills to support the growth of others through mentoring, training, and collaboration Basic Qualifications: * Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience
* Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.
* Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance. * Strong technical skills related to sensor technologies and methods
* Demonstrated ability to effectively use programming environments such as MATLAB or Python to develop engineering models and analyze sensor data.
* Experience with signal processing and/or algorithm development
* Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts simply and concisely, making needed connections, and bridging across domains as appropriate
* Proven experience fostering collaboration
* Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly in technical terms with both engineering staff and project leadership
* Strong writing and briefing skills
* This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site or more depending on mission objectives. Preferred Qualifications: * MS or PhD in electrical engineering, math, or physics
* Active Top Secret Security Clearance
* Space-based sensing
* Experience developing tracking algorithms
* Experience with antenna array design and analysis
* Experience with Electronic Warfare (EW) This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
None This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Secret Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$173,200 - $216,500 - $259,800 Annual Work Location Type:
Onsite It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email for general support and for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply. Benefits information may be found here . Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.