Radar Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Why LeoLabs?

At LeoLabs, we're building the living map of activity in space. Through our proprietary global radar network and AI-enabled analytics platform, we collect millions of measurements daily on more than 25,000 objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). Our radar-powered intelligence protects billions in assets, monitors adversarial behavior, and ensures safe operations for commercial and government missions.

We're not just building technology, we are redefining global security, safety, and transparency in space. As orbital activity accelerates and threats grow more complex, LeoLabs is a trusted partner for Space Domain Awareness, Space Traffic Management, and Satellite Operations for top-tier space operators and allied defense organizations.

If you're looking to work on mission-critical challenges at the forefront of aerospace, national security, and AI, your impact starts here.

LeoLabs is seeking a Radar Systems Engineer to support the design, integration, testing, operation, and sustainment of advanced radar systems supporting space domain awareness (SDA), Space Superiority, and Missile Warning missions. This position will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to optimize radar performance, support system deployments, and ensure reliable operational capability across LeoLabs' radar network and customer programs. 

This role will support the Technical Director of Radar Systems Engineering and support radar modernization, sensor performance analysis, mission demonstrations, modeling and simulation activities, and customer-facing engineering efforts. 

The ideal candidate is technically curious, highly collaborative, and interested in developing expertise across radar systems, space domain awareness, missile warning, and mission engineering. The candidate will possess expertise in radar systems engineering, signal processing, system integration, and technical troubleshooting, with a demonstrated ability to support complex mission-critical systems in operational environments. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Support the design, analysis, integration, and validation of radar systems and subsystems 
• Develop and maintain system requirements, interface documentation, test plans, and engineering analyses 
• Evaluate radar performance and recommend enhancements to improve detection, tracking, and characterization capabilities 
• Collaborate with software, hardware, data, and operations teams to integrate new capabilities and resolve technical issues 
• Support system verification, validation, and acceptance testing activities 
• Analyze operational data and system performance metrics to identify trends, anomalies, and improvement opportunities 
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action efforts for system issues 
• Support deployment, commissioning, and sustainment activities for radar installations and upgrades 
• Contribute to technical documentation, design reviews, and customer-facing deliverables 
• Assist in the development of concepts of operation (CONOPS), engineering studies, and technical proposals 
• Support interface definition and technical documentation 
• Radar Performance Analysis 
• Assist with sensor performance assessments  
• Support detection, tracking, and characterization analyses  
• Analyze radar data and engineering test results  
• Contribute to radar trade studies  
• Mission Analysis Support 
• Support mission modeling and simulation activities  
• Assist with mission performance assessments  
• Develop engineering analyses supporting customer and product needs  
• Technical Documentation 
• Prepare technical reports  
• Develop engineering presentations  
• Support proposal and customer briefing activities 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline 
• 5+ years of experience supporting radar systems, sensor systems, aerospace systems, or related technical programs 
• Knowledge of radar principles, signal processing, RF systems, antenna systems, and sensor performance analysis 
• Experience with systems engineering processes, including requirements development, verification, validation, and configuration management 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Experience working in cross-functional engineering environments 
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences 
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearances 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), missile warning, air defense, or other sensor-intensive missions 
• Experience with phased array radar systems, tracking radars, or surveillance radars 
• Familiarity with RF modeling, signal processing algorithms, or radar performance analysis tools 
• Experience supporting Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, Intelligence Community, or other national security customers 
• Active U.S. security clearance 
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline 

Work Location 

Washington, D.C. metro area preferred. This role requires periodic travel to customer locations, LeoLabs offices, and industry events as required. 

Perks and Benefits

• Global workforce: flexible remote/hybrid opportunities
• Work on complex, meaningful missions with real-world impact
• Unlimited paid time off for most roles
• Competitive salary and equity packages
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Access to the forefront of commercial space operations and defense innovation

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.