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Radar Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mentor and guide team members in radar theory, systems engineering, and operational best practices * Support programmatic and business leadership with technical expertise for strategic decision ...

Senior Radar Engineer, Space

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

About The Job Anduril is hiring Senior Radar Engineers to architect and deliver next-generation space-based radar systems that will redefine orbital ISR and tactical sensing. We're building software ...

Staff Radar Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Mentor and guide team members in radar theory, systems engineering, and operational best practices * Support programmatic and business leadership with technical expertise for strategic decision ...

Senior Radar Engineer, Space

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$110K - $152K/yr

About The Job Anduril is hiring Senior Radar Engineers to architect and deliver next-generation space-based radar systems that will redefine orbital ISR and tactical sensing. We're building software ...

Staff Radar Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$191K - $253K/yr

Mentor and guide team members in radar theory, systems engineering, and operational best practices * Support programmatic and business leadership with technical expertise for strategic decision ...

Radar Fusion - Engineer

Edwards, CA · On-site

$110K - $185K/yr

Radar Fusion Engineers must stay current with the latest advancements in radar technology and have a solid understanding of radar principles and related fields. Testing and Validation: Conduct ...

Radar Fusion - Engineer

Edwards, CA · On-site

$110K - $185K/yr

Radar Fusion Engineers must stay current with the latest advancements in radar technology and have a solid understanding of radar principles and related fields. * Testing and Validation: Conduct ...

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Radar Engineer information

See California salary details

$76K

$79.4K

$81.9K

How much do radar engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for radar engineer in California is $79,445.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $80,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Radar Engineer Do?

A radar engineer works to design, enhance, or test the accuracy of radar systems. In this career, your duties vary depending on the industry. You may develop radar for weather forecast or tracking purposes, or you could work for the military or a private company in the defense industry. Regardless of your employer, your responsibilities as a radar engineer focus on the technical aspects of a radar system, such as testing of sensor instrument devices or the creation of an algorithm to continuously ensure accuracy and give users control of how they view the system’s data.

What does a Radar Engineer do?

A Radar Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains radar systems used for detecting and tracking objects such as aircraft, ships, or weather formations. They work with both hardware and software components to ensure radar systems function accurately and reliably. Their responsibilities often include signal processing, system integration, and troubleshooting technical issues. Radar Engineers are employed in industries such as defense, aerospace, meteorology, and automotive safety systems.

What are some typical challenges Radar Engineers face when working on new radar system designs?

Radar Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance requirements with size, weight, and power constraints, especially when designing systems for aerospace or defense applications. Integrating the latest signal processing techniques while ensuring system reliability and meeting strict regulatory standards can also be complex. Additionally, Radar Engineers regularly collaborate with multidisciplinary teams—including software developers, hardware engineers, and project managers—to troubleshoot issues and implement innovative solutions throughout the development cycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Radar Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Radar Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, signal processing, and electromagnetics, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation software (like MATLAB or CST), hardware testing tools, and industry-specific certifications such as those from IEEE are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective teamwork distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting radar systems that meet stringent performance and safety standards.

What is the difference between Radar Engineer vs RF Engineer?

AspectRadar EngineerRF Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, specialized training in radar systemsBachelor's or higher in Electrical or Electronics Engineering, RF design certifications
Work EnvironmentDefense, aerospace, military, or research labsTelecommunications, wireless, consumer electronics industries
Industry UsageDesign and development of radar systems and sensorsDesign and testing of radio frequency components and systems

Radar Engineers focus on designing and developing radar systems used in defense, aerospace, and research. RF Engineers work on radio frequency components for wireless and communication devices. While both roles require knowledge of RF principles, Radar Engineers specialize in radar-specific technologies, whereas RF Engineers have a broader focus on RF systems across various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Radar Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Radar Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Radar Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Radar Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Radar Engineer jobs in CA? For Radar Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Staff Radar Engineer

Staff Radar Engineer

Anduril Industries

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 28 days ago


Anduril rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Radar team at Anduril develops state-of-the-art airborne sensing capabilities for air-to-air surveillance, aerial threat detection, and intelligence gathering missions. Our software-defined radars provide persistent, all-weather detection and tracking of aerial targets and ground threats from airborne platforms, seamlessly integrating with Lattice OS to enable autonomous decision-making and multi-sensor fusion. We're building next-generation airborne radar systems that are rapidly deployable, adaptable across multiple aircraft platforms, and designed for modern air combat operations-from protecting airspace to enabling advanced airborne early warning and fire control capabilities.

 WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Lead systems architecture and mode development for airborne radar systems across manned and unmanned platforms
  • Develop and implement advanced radar processing algorithms with focus on DSP, waveform design, and electronic protection techniques
  • Drive end-to-end radar system design from concept through operational deployment, ensuring operationally-focused solutions
  • Design and refine advanced airborne RF sensing modes and algorithms including SAR, ISAR, GMTI, and air-to-air tracking
  • Conduct rigorous system-level analysis and requirements decomposition for airborne radar subsystems
  • Provide technical leadership in software development for radar mode implementation and real-time processing
  • Engage directly with government customers and operational users to understand mission requirements and translate them into technical solutions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define architectures and concepts of operations for airborne systems-of-systems
  • Create, communicate, and establish consensus for internal development roadmaps for airborne radar capabilities
  • Mentor and guide team members in radar theory, systems engineering, and operational best practices
  • Support programmatic and business leadership with technical expertise for strategic decision-making
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 12+ years of experience & a Bachelor's degree in mathematics, physics, engineering, or other technical field (advanced degree strongly preferred)
  • Proven experience in a Staff or Principal-level technical leadership role developing operational airborne defense radar systems
  • Deep expertise in airborne radar systems engineering, mode development, and software architecture
  • Strong background in algorithm development, digital signal processing, and electronic protection techniques
  • End-to-end radar systems experience spanning hardware, software, and operational deployment
  • Demonstrated ability to work directly with operational customers and translate mission needs into technical requirements
  • Operationally-focused mindset with experience fielding systems in real-world environments (not purely academic/research focused)
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active Secret security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience at Chief Systems Engineer or Technical Fellow level on major radar programs
  • Strong software development skills with proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C++ for real-time radar systems
  • Expertise in digital beamforming, AESA technology, cognitive radar, or adaptive waveform techniques for airborne applications
  • Hands-on experience as a technical contributor in radar algorithm implementation and mode development
  • Direct experience supporting Air Force, Navy, Army, or Special Operations Command on airborne ISR or weapons systems programs
  • Track record of customer-facing technical leadership and program execution
  • Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility or willingness to obtain

What Anduril employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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