Radar Systems Engineer – Phased Array & Beamforming Architecture

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA‑EMS) is looking for a Radar Systems Engineer – Phased Array & Beamforming Architecture to help shape the core architecture of our next‑generation radar apertures and digital beamforming systems.

In this role, you will lead the architecture, design, and system‑level analysis of phased array and digital beamforming (DBF) functions, working across antenna/array design, RF front‑end, digital receiver/exciter, and implementation‑level beamforming on modern processing hardware.

You will be a key member of the Radar Technologies department and report to the Senior Manager of Architecture and Systems Engineering. This role will work under the direction of the Radar Technical Lead and the Senior Manager of Architecture and Systems Engineering. It is responsible for architecture and design within the phased array, antenna, and digital beamforming domain and will collaborate with other subsystem leads (DSP/signal processing, Digital Receiver/Exciter, Resource Management, Tracking, Calibration, Antenna/RF) to define and realize the overall radar system design. You will work closely with the signal processing algorithm lead, and focus on phased array and DBF architecture, implementation, and integration with the RF/array and hardware.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA‑EMS) designs and manufactures first‑of‑a‑kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA‑EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

Highlights Working For GA-EMS:

• Eligible for the Individual Compensation Program (ICP) bonus.
• Outstanding retirement benefits: 401(k) with company match and a company pension.
• Excellent work environment: team-centric, all contributors valued and respected.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the architecture and system‑level design of phased array and digital beamforming for advanced radar systems, including array partitioning, beamforming topologies, and multibeam concepts.
• Collaborate with hardware engineering to ensure the phased array and DBF design is consistent with the array and RF front‑end architectures, including:
  • Element patterns, polarization behavior, and scan angle effects.
  • Mutual coupling, edge effects, and their impact on beam patterns, calibration, and Tx/Rx Module loading.
  • Tx/Rx Module power, thermal, and gain/phase stability considerations.
• Develop beam tapering strategies and beam weight designs to meet coverage, sidelobe, clutter, interference, and electronic protection performance requirements.
• Develop performance models and simulations of beamformed channels (primarily in MATLAB) to assess SNR, beam patterns, sidelobe levels, and sensitivity under realistic scenarios, including hardware non‑idealities.
• Work closely with the calibration team to:
  • Define calibration requirements and strategies that support desired beamforming performance.
  • Analyze the impact of gain/phase errors, array imperfections, mutual coupling, and calibration residuals on beam patterns and system performance.
  • Develop methods to compensate for or mitigate calibration and hardware non‑idealities in the beamforming algorithms and architecture.
• Collaborate with hardware, RF, and the Digital Receiver/Exciter (DREX) team to ensure the DBF design is consistent with:
  • DREX architectures, data paths, and interfaces.
  • Quantization, dynamic range, and timing requirements.
  • Data throughput and processing resource constraints for current and future systems.
• Define DBF data paths and implementation approaches on high‑performance processing architectures, in collaboration with hardware and software teams.
• Support integration and test planning for phased array and DBF functions, including lab, HWIL (hardware‑in‑the‑loop), and field test events.
• Define and decompose system and subsystem requirements related to phased array, DBF, and beam control, including interfaces to RF front‑end, DSP, tracking, and radar resource management.
• Analyze data from simulations, near‑field and far-field range measurements, and field tests to validate phased array and beamforming designs, troubleshoot issues, and develop design updates.
• Develop and maintain phased array and DBF‑related models and documentation to support design reviews and system‑level trades.
• Prepare and present technical material at internal and external technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and customer meetings.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.