Principal Radar Systems Engineer

Our client is looking for a Principal Radar Systems Engineer to take a leading technical role in the development of advanced FMCW radar systems from its engineering base in The Hague. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in the Netherlands. International applicants are welcome, with full relocation support available, although candidates must be living in the Netherlands or willing to relocate before starting. Our client develops radar technology for the tracking and classification of small objects in complex environments. Its systems combine purpose-built radar hardware with AI-based software to support applications including aviation safety, wind farm protection, critical infrastructure security and counter-drone defence. The business is growing quickly but remains engineering-led, with a strong focus on technical ownership, practical delivery and getting field-proven sensing products into operation without unnecessary bureaucracy. As the Principal Radar Systems Engineer, you will help define the next generation of the company’s FMCW radar technology, working across radar architecture, RF performance, signal processing, algorithms and real-time embedded implementation. This is not purely an advisory or research position. You will be expected to move between high-level system architecture and hands-on technical development, resolving difficult engineering problems and ensuring that radar performance is carried through from the RF hardware into the digital processing chain. What the role involves You will design and optimise next-generation FMCW radar architectures, with a particular focus on maximising signal-to-noise ratio, improving target detection and strengthening classification performance in complex operating environments. The role will include:

• Defining and optimising FMCW radar system architectures
• Developing advanced radar signal-processing and target-classification algorithms
• Leading the implementation of real-time processing engines using VHDL and C++
• Ensuring processing is efficient, low-latency and suitable for embedded hardware
• Defining RF design parameters and managing the interface between radar hardware and software
• Ensuring the digital processing stack extracts the maximum possible performance from the physical radar system
• Improving radar resilience in congested, contested and challenging RF environments
• Applying experience from defence-grade radar or electronic warfare systems to commercial radar platforms
• Investigating the use of AI and machine-learning models within the signal-processing pipeline
• Improving automated detection, tracking and threat classification
• Identifying technical bottlenecks and challenging existing engineering methods where a better solution is available
• Contributing to technical publications and representing the business within the wider academic and radar engineering community

The Principal Radar Systems Engineer will be given a high level of technical autonomy and will work alongside experienced radar engineers, RF specialists, embedded developers, signal-processing engineers and researchers., This is an opportunity to take real technical ownership of an operational radar platform rather than working within a narrowly defined part of a larger programme. You will be able to influence radar architecture, RF performance, embedded processing and algorithm development, while working on systems used in aviation safety, infrastructure protection, wildlife monitoring and counter-drone applications. The engineering environment is international, with more than 30 nationalities represented, and offers access to experienced specialists across radar science, RF engineering, embedded systems, software and AI. The company is certified as a Great Place to Work and offers a working environment focused on engineering impact, technical autonomy and practical delivery. The benefits package includes:

• Hybrid and remote-working flexibility
• 30 days of paid annual leave
• The option to purchase three additional days of leave
• Holiday allowance
• Commuting allowance
• Comprehensive pension plan
• Laptop, desktop, monitor, headphones and any other equipment required for the role
• Funding for advanced certifications, specialist training and continued technical development
• Full relocation support for international applicants
• Regular company events and Friday social gatherings

Our client is looking for someone with at least 10 years of deep technical experience within radar, defence, electronic warfare or another highly advanced sensing environment. You should have expert-level capability in at least two of the following areas:

• Radar signal processing
• RF hardware design
• VHDL or FPGA-based processing
• Embedded C++
• Radar algorithms and system architecture

You will also need:

• Experience developing complex radar or electronic warfare systems
• A strong understanding of how RF hardware, signal processing and embedded software interact
• Experience taking advanced radar concepts into real-time hardware
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of difficult technical problems
• A practical, hands-on engineering mindset
• The confidence to debate and influence technical strategy with senior radar scientists and engineers
• Fluent English
• The ability to meet the requirements for defence security clearance

Experience working within rigorous defence or aerospace engineering standards would be valuable, although our client is particularly interested in engineers who understand those standards while still being willing to challenge unnecessary process and bureaucracy. The role covers a broad technical area, and candidates are not expected to match every individual requirement. Applications are encouraged from senior radar specialists who can demonstrate deep expertise across the core areas of radar, RF, signal processing or embedded implementation. A Certificate of Conduct, known in the Netherlands as a VOG, will be requested as part of the recruitment process. A background check will also be completed in line with the company’s screening policy.