Engineer Principal - RF Payload Calibration

About the role

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement RF payload calibration approaches including integrated calibration sources, roll-ups of lower-level test data, bias correction, and in-situ calibration techniques and support payload architecture development.
• Evaluate RF payload performance requirements and generate calibration approaches to enable the related design, build, test, verification, and validation activities.
• Develop and utilize expertise in RF sensing missions, payload design, component hardware technologies, calibration techniques, and uncertainty analysis.
• Support activities surrounding pursuit and execution of pathfinder, payload technology, and mission-level opportunities within the RF sensing mission area.
• Create and manage physics-based calibration models, error budgets, and bias corrections.
• Communicate with Architecture & Design, Modeling & Analysis, CONOPS, System Traceability, Integration & Test, and Mission Operations teams as necessary to ensure the calibration approach closes.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (systems, mechanical, electrical, software, test, etc.) in the planning and execution of calibration tasks.
• Contribute to the decomposition and allocation of RF payload requirements to lower-level specifications. Refine requirements as necessary.
• Work alongside AI&T engineers to support the test configurations, verification approaches, and analysis plans necessary for payload verification.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to peers, management, and/or customers, as required.
• Support program gates such as the System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and payload sell-off.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience.
• Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Education must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active Top Secret security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Polygraph.
• Excellent communication skills are essential, including the ability to understand the team's needs, ask insightful questions, and provide clear communication of proposed solutions.
• Flexibility and capacity to work on multiple dynamic problems simultaneously.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Familiarity in remote sensing missions, payload design, component hardware technologies, calibration sources, calibration techniques, and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience in data analysis, signal processing, and algorithm development.
• Experience working with DoW and/or IC technical support contractors and program technical representatives.
• Experience as a technical lead on RF sensing payloads, architectures, and development programs.
• Familiarity in computer application skills, such as Python, Matlab, CAMEO, DOORS, and other analytical tools.