The Aerospace Corporation · Chantilly, VA

Space-Based Radar System Architect at The Aerospace Corporation — Chantilly, VA

Full-timeChantilly, VA$129,000–$249,600/yearPosted 2026-07-20Apply on Workday
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Full job description

The GEOINT Innovations Office (GIO) under the National Systems Group (NSG) Imagery Programs Division (IPD) serves as technical adviser to the government's future architecture, research, and technology development offices as well as commercial data acquisition. The Future Architectures Department within GIO seeks a Space-Based Radar System Architect (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer – Signal and Image Processing). The department uses modeling and simulation approaches and mission knowledge to provide technical recommendations and solutions for GEOINT systems. As a Space-Based Radar System Architect, you will lead Aerospace activities that help Government customers define future Radar architecture, advance capabilities, and develop CONOPs using Aerospace's modeling and simulation capabilities. Your work will directly influence budget and acquisition decisions for the next generation GEOINT space architecture. You will communicate programmatic and technical risks and opportunities to Aerospace management, Government customers, and contractors. For a Senior Project Engineer role, you must also work within Aerospace and across programmatic boundaries to enable Aerospace contributions to the GEOINT and Future Architectures enterprise.

This position requires 100% on site work in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Lead and coordinate domain experts from Aerospace’s Engineering Matrix organization to perform design trades at the payload, vehicle, and constellation level in the evaluation of future GEOINT architectures for performance, user requirements satisfaction, and mission utility
  • Review contractor concept proposals and independently evaluate system capabilities against user needs to highlight opportunities and risks to the Government
  • Communicate programmatic and technical issues and provide independent recommendations to Aerospace management, the Government customer and other contractors
  • Respond to urgent technical questions originating from multiple agencies (NRO, NGA, ODNI, DoW), NRO Leadership, and Congress
  • Provide daily organization and technical oversight for task execution, managing pertinent budgets, regularly communicate status and findings to customer counterparts and management.
  • Serve as advisor and mentor to SETA, Aerospace, and Customer representatives as they learn technical aspects of program execution
  • Work in a fast-paced environment with many interesting technical challenges that require strategy, critical thinking and collaboration to provide solutions

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the: Project Engineer – Signal and Image Processing

  • Bachelor’s OR Advanced degree in mathematics, physics, electrical engineering or related technical discipline
  • A minimum of 6 years of experience post-bachelor degree
  • Technical experience in architecture modeling, orbital mechanics, and space systems
  • Familiarity with remote sensing radar or RF mission payloads
  • This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance along with a polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer - Signal & Image Process Engineering include:

  • A minimum of 12 years of experience
  • Strong understanding of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems
  • Ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams and integrate their results into decision-driving products

How You Can Stand Out

  • Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related field
  • Strong understanding of GEOINT architectures, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Moving Target Indication (MTI)
  • Experience in planning or conducting architectural and optimization trade-studies
  • Experience developing visualizations using modeling and simulation software to depict constellations and architectures
  • Program Office experience working directly with contractors, SETA, and government customers
  • Experience working within the intelligence community and advising senior officials
  • Prior experience working in an engineering matrix that supports program office and customer senior leadership

(Min - Max)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

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

Ways We Reward Our Employees

  • 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

Equal Opportunity Commitment