Radar Test Engineer

Radar Test Engineer (Contract-to-Hire)

Location: El Segundo, CA (Hybrid / Range Deployment)

Employment Type: Full time, Contract to Hire (6 Months, with top performers converting within 90-days)

Travel/Field Work: ~50% (Southern California test ranges)

Clearance: Active Secret Clearance preferred, or Clearable (U.S. Citizenship Required)

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on, field-ready Radar Test Engineer to support the integration, performance validation, and field testing of next-generation radar and RF sensor systems.

Joining an agile field test unit, you will own test execution for prototype and development-stage sensor platforms, bridging laboratory integration, production acceptance, and operational range testing.

Key Responsibilities

• Test Execution & Planning: Develop and run detailed radar test plans, procedures, and checklists aligned with system requirements.
• System Integration & Operation: Configure, operate, and troubleshoot radar sensors, physical antennas, RF processors, timing systems, networks, and data recorders.
• Field & Range Testing: Lead outdoor test setups, range deployments, system checkouts, and teardowns in rugged environments.
• Data Analysis: Monitor system health and evaluate metrics including detection range, track quality, accuracy, latency, and false-alarm rates.
• Troubleshooting & Documentation: Identify technical anomalies, isolate hardware/software issues, collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to resolve bugs, and prepare test summary reports.

Work Environment & Logistics

• 50/50 Split: Split time between facility prep/analysis in El Segundo, CA, and live outdoor testing at Southern California range sites.
• Local Deployments: Test locations are within a 5-hour driving radius (minimal to no air travel). Mileage is fully reimbursed per government standards.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in radar systems, RF technology, or complex sensor system testing.
• Radar & RF Aptitude: Strong working knowledge of radar fundamentals, physical antennas, wave propagation, and signal processing.
• Field Readiness: Comfortable working outdoors in rugged/desert environments to deploy equipment and execute real-world tests.
• Equipment Proficiency: Hands-on experience with spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and power meters.
• Clearance & Driving: U.S. Citizenship required; Active Secret Clearance preferred (or clearable). Valid driver's license required.

Preferred Experience

• Background in military operational testing, defense prime testing, or prior military service specializing in radar/sensors.
• Experience with phased-array systems, C-UAS, passive radar, Linux environments, or Python/MATLAB analysis tools.