Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems.
 
 All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.
 

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to provide Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS) support to our Government customer at Patrick Space Force Base, FL, supporting the maintenance and sustainment of the COBRA KING radar and the modernization of the X‑Band radar, including the Receiver/Exciter (REX) subsystem and radar front end. Travel to the radar site may occur once or twice per year, with occasional travel to technical meetings as required.

The engineer will deliver technical expertise in requirements development, radar subsystem integration, sustainment and logistics analysis, test planning, and technical refresh and modernization activities. This role focuses on advising, assessing, coordinating, and informing Government decisions, not executing inherently governmental functions.

The ideal candidate brings experience in systems engineering, radar or RF subsystem integration, and technical coordination across Government and contractor teams.

Radar Modernization & Integration

• Provide technical advice and engineering insight to the Government for REX subsystem modernization and radar front‑end upgrades.
• Support system and mission requirements analysis, including requirements development, refinement, allocation, and traceability.
• Assist with system architecture studies, interface definition, and evaluation of subsystem impacts on overall radar performance.
• Support technical refresh projects, including requirements updates, integration planning, test planning, and modernization documentation.

Sustainment, Logistics & Anomaly Support

• Support the Government in assessing sustainment and logistics challenges  
• Participate in investigation and root‑cause analysis of system and software performance anomalies, providing technical considerations and recommended mitigation paths.
• Provide engineering input to maintenance concerns, sustainment planning, and engineering change proposals.

Software & Technical Evaluation

• Support the Government in prioritization, sequencing, and technical evaluation of proposed software modifications.

Test Support & IV&V

• Support test planning, readiness reviews, and execution oversight for subsystem upgrades.
• Assist with Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) activities, including review of test procedures, results, and compliance with requirements.

Documentation & Coordination

• Develop and review technical documentation, including requirements updates, integration plans, test procedures, and modernization planning artifacts.
• Coordinate with Government personnel, contractors, and engineering teams to ensure alignment of modernization objectives and technical requirements.
• Support occasional travel for Government‑directed testing, integration events, or technical reviews.

REQUIRED SKILLS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  
• A minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 3 years with a Master’s degree, a PhD without experience, or equivalent work experience is typically required for an employee at this level.
• Experience in systems engineering, subsystem integration, or technical operations for radar, RF, or mission‑critical systems.
• Familiarity with RF architectures, radar subsystems, or signal‑processing concepts.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical systems and communicate findings clearly.
• Knowledge of engineering and change-management processes
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for modeling, automation, or tool development.
• Experience with Windows, Linux, and AIX Operating Systems 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical briefings.
• Ability to work independently while supporting Government priorities.
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government security clearance  

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting AFTAC, Space Force, or national‑level radar or sensing missions.
• A solid understanding of radar system functionality, radar performance and capabilities
• Experience with radar subsystem modernization, technical refresh, or subsystem‑level redesign.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (DOORS, Jama, Cameo) or MBSE methodologies.
• Expertise with MATLAB and, MATLAB’s distributed processing toolbox 
• Prior team or project leadership roles   
• Experience coordinating with multi‑agency or multi‑contractor technical teams.

Candidate Attributes

The successful candidate will:

• Be a proactive, analytical problem solver.
• Thrive in a mission‑driven, engineering‑focused environment.
• Demonstrate technical curiosity and adaptability.
• Communicate clearly with engineers, contractors, and senior stakeholders.
• Understand and respect the boundaries of A&AS support, providing expert advice without performing inherently governmental functions.

93,000 - 140,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

 
Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring.  Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.