Radar Modernization Hardware Integration Engineer

SciTec, a wholly owned subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace, is a dynamic non-traditional defense contractor that delivers advanced technologies in support of U.S. National Security and Defense. For the past forty-five plus years, we have supported Department of Defense customers by developing innovative remote sensing algorithms, tools, and techniques to deliver world-class data exploitation capabilities supporting missile defense; intelligence, surveillance, & reconnaissance; space domain awareness; and aircraft survivability missions.

Important Notice: SciTec exclusively works on U.S. government contracts that require U.S. citizenship for all employees. SciTec cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of employee work visas of any type. Further, U.S. citizenship is a requirement to obtain and keep a security clearance. Applicants that do not meet these requirement will not be considered.

SciTec is seeking a Hardware Integration Engineer to support the Ground‑Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) modernization program. In this role, you will focus on the integration of modern radar front‑end hardware—including digitizers, transceivers, timing/synchronization components, and associated control interfaces—into a unified digital backend architecture. You will work across radar hardware teams, RF specialists, systems engineers, and FORGE‑based software‑processing teams to ensure that modern, commercial‑based front‑end hardware integrates seamlessly with mission‑critical backend processing.

You will help retire legacy analog components, validate new digitized hardware flows, resolve integration issues, and ensure the end‑to‑end system behaves reliably for missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, and space domain awareness missions.

Responsibilities 

• Front‑End Hardware Integration
• Integrate modern radar front‑end subsystems (digitizers, transceivers, control electronics, DREX‑style components) with digitized radar back‑end signal‑processing chains.
• Ensure element‑level digitization produces validated, high‑fidelity I/Q data streams suitable for backend processing.
• Collaborate with RF engineers to verify operating characteristics and compatibility with each radar’s unique antenna systems.
• Interface Definition & System Alignment
• Develop and maintain interface specifications between front‑end hardware and the modernized digital backend.
• Ensure alignment with MOSA principles and common GBRD architectural standards.
• Work closely with systems engineers to ensure hardware‑to‑software interactions meet timing, throughput, and synchronization constraints.
• Integration Testing & Troubleshooting
• Support integration in lab environments (SIL/DSIL), performing functional tests, data‑validation checks, and end‑to‑end link testing.
• Diagnose and resolve issues related to hardware configuration, signal integrity, timing alignment, data‑path reliability, and high‑bandwidth throughput.
• Work with backend RSP/RMP teams to ensure hardware‑driven measurements and transmission instructions flow correctly.
• Requirements, Configuration Control & Documentation
• Contribute to requirements decomposition for hardware integration, defining performance, interface, and environmental needs.
• Maintain configuration control of hardware integration artifacts, diagrams, ICDs, test plans, and verification results.
• Support technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) with clear hardware‑integration inputs.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration
• Coordinate with RF engineers, systems engineers, software‑processing teams, mission‑processing teams, and cybersecurity personnel to ensure cohesive system behavior.
• Ensure front‑end hardware integration supports mission‑focused outcomes in alignment with the GBRD common digital baseline.

• Other duties as assigned 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience integrating hardware for radar, RF systems, high‑bandwidth sensor systems, or real‑time mission systems.
• Experience with digitizers, transceivers, RF electronics, timing/synchronization hardware, or data‑acquisition equipment.
• Understanding of signal‑integrity concepts, analog‑to‑digital conversion, and high‑bandwidth data flows.
• Familiarity with lab integration environments (SIL/DSIL) and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing.
• Ability to read and produce interface control documents, wiring diagrams, and system‑integration artifacts.
• Experience collaborating across hardware, software, RF, and systems‑engineering teams.
• Strong communication skills and ability to convey integration status clearly.
• U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Candidates who have any of the following skills will be preferred:

• Experience with radar systems.
• Experience integrating radar front‑end components with digitized backend architectures.
• Familiarity with FORGE, MOSA, or government‑owned mission‑processing frameworks.
• Experience with RF test equipment (spectrum analyzers, VNAs, signal generators), digitizer calibration, or high‑speed data capture systems.
• Experience supporting integration events, mission‑scenario validation, or gated prototyping programs.
• Active DoD security clearance.

*Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications which are generated by AI will not be considered for employment.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Benefits

SciTec offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• 4% Safe Harbor 401(k) match
• 100% company paid HSA Medical insurance, with a choice of 2 buy-up options
• 80% company paid Dental insurance
• 100% company paid Vision insurance
• 100% company paid Life insurance
• 100% company paid Long-term Disability insurance
• Short-term Disability insurance
• Annual Profit-Sharing Plan
• Discretionary Performance Bonus
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Paid Time Off, including Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Pay
• Flexible Work Hours

The pay range for this position is $190,000- $235,000 / year. SciTec considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. This is not a guarantee of compensation.

SciTec is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. VET/Disabled.