Lead Systems Engineer - Passive RF Sensing

Lead Systems Engineer - Passive RF Sensing

Helsing

Munich, Germany

The role

As the Lead Engineer for Passive RF Sensing, you will own the end-to-end integration and performance of the aircraft's electronic surveillance systems, such as the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR/ESM), from requirements through to flight test. Your primary focus will be on translating mission threats into sensor requirements, defining the antenna architecture for optimal direction-finding, and managing the emitter library data. A critical aspect of your role is leading the co-site coordination to protect the sensitive receivers from onboard transmitters and driving the verification campaign to deliver a fully qualified sensor system.

The day-to-day

• Own day-to-day integration and performance of passive RF sensors (ESM/ELS/RWR functions as applicable) from requirements through flight test.
• Translate mission threat scenarios into sensor requirements.
• Define antenna/array architecture, placement and baseline geometry for DF, and RF distribution.
• Lead DF performance work.
• Specify and validate sensor performance.
• Own library and classification support (as required): emitter parameter sets, mode/PRI/PW/frequency agility handling, confidence metrics, and update process.
• Drive co-site/EMC coordination with onboard transmitters (radar, datalinks, IFF): desense protection, blanking/inhibit timing, filtering/limiting, and test validation.
• Plan and execute verification & test with a special focus on installed senor performance.
• Coordinate with software/avionics teams on data interfaces.
• Manage supplier technical control: review specs, acceptance tests, algorithm releases, and change requests; track issues to closure with objective evidence.
• Define and maintain interfaces/ICDs to avionics and mission systems.
• Produce program artifacts: requirements, verification matrices, test plans, performance reports, and flight readiness inputs.

You should apply if you

• Hold a relevant degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Have experience in working on passive RF sensors (ESM/ELS/RWR) for airborne or similarly complex platforms.
• Understand threat radar phenomenology (PRI/PW/Frequency agility, scanning, modes) and can convert scenarios into measurable sensor requirements.
• Have hands-on experience with DF architectures (phase/amplitude interferometry, correlative DF, multi-channel arrays) and DF error budgeting/calibration.
• Can specify and validate receiver performance (sensitivity/NF, dynamic range, IP3/compression, spurious response) and interpret lab/flight data.
• Have delivered co-site/EMC mitigation on platforms with strong transmitters (radar, datalinks, IFF): desense protection, blanking/inhibit, filtering/limiting.
• Have experience with emitter libraries/classification workflows (parameter sets, confidence scoring, update/version control) or can ramp quickly.
• Can own interfaces/ICDs to mission computer/avionics (timing/time sync, message formats, health/BIT, recorder/telemetry).
• Have led verification & test (stimulus/injection, chamber/range, flight test support) and can drive issues to objective closure with suppliers.