Principal ELINT Processing Engineer

Description

The company builds and runs the ground processing systems that turn raw IQ data into ELINT geolocations.

This is a senior technical role that combines deep ELINT knowledge, software systems integration, and experience leading difficult development work.

You will act as the link between ELINT operations and software engineering, shaping how the ground processing systems evolve.

The role calls for strong command of ELINT signal processing, hands-on work with geolocation systems, and skill in finding and fixing hard problems across the whole pipeline.

The company detects, geolocates and characterizes radio emissions worldwide using space-based collection, its own signal processing and AI-driven analytics, serving defense, intelligence and national security leaders and allied partners.

Responsibilities

• Act as the top technical authority on ELINT processing, setting direction for architecture, algorithms and capability upgrades.
• Lead cross-team work to improve geolocation accuracy, precision and operational performance across many signal types and scenarios.
• Own the technical roadmap for ground processing, finding system gaps and designing complete solutions.
• Lead integration of ELINT processing software so data flows cleanly from raw IQ ingestion to geolocation products.
• Find and debug complex faults in processing pipelines, including algorithm anomalies, data quality problems and integration defects.
• Run root cause analysis on accuracy problems, performance drops and processing failures.
• Advise on signal processing algorithms, geolocation methods and emitter characterization techniques.
• Work with stakeholders as the senior expert, turning operational needs into system requirements and technical answers.
• Define test strategies, acceptance criteria and quality gates that support CI/CD.
• Contribute to proposals, technical documentation and strategic planning.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in electrical or computer engineering, computer science, math, physics or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years of progressive ELINT technical analysis in complex signal environments.
• Expert-level work with ELINT ground processing systems that produce geolocations from raw IQ or similar RF collection systems.
• Proven use of signal analysis tool suites such as Sceptre, MARTES, ASPEN or CBET.
• Strong software integration and testing experience, including complex data processing pipelines.
• Proven ability to find, debug and fix issues in signal processing software and geolocation algorithms.
• Solid grasp of CI/CD and experience building testing into continuous deployment pipelines.
• Strong analysis and problem solving across both hardware and software.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including presenting complex technical ideas to varied audiences.
• Completion of SIGE2810, SIGE3810 or SIGE4810 and advanced SIGINT training courses.
• Desirable: an advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in electrical engineering, computer science, signal processing or a related field, which is strongly preferred.
• Desirable: direct experience with the company's space-based RF collection systems or similar systems.
• Desirable: test automation frameworks, scripting in Python, MATLAB or R, and CI/CD tools such as Jenkins or GitLab CI.
• Desirable: background in software development, systems engineering or DevOps practices.
• Desirable: understanding of software quality metrics, test coverage analysis and quality assurance practice.

Conditions

Base salary range: $170,000 to $220,000 USD.

Benefits

• A competitive base salary plus an annual performance bonus, benefits and equity.
• Pay depends on factors such as experience, education, training, skills, and market and business considerations.
• Candidates with experience or qualifications at a different level than the posting describes may be offered a package that differs accordingly.