---
title: 'Principal Radar Engineer- MTI at Kapta Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-radar-engineer-mti-kapta-space-redmond-06mrkr5btv14'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Principal Radar Engineer- MTI at Kapta Space

- **Company:** Kapta Space
- **Location:** Redmond, WA
- **Compensation:** $195k–$250k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/kapta-space/7190147a-a91a-423d-916f-6f714b250e83

## Job description

Kapta Space, a VC-funded early-stage startup in Seattle, WA, is breaking new ground in Geospatial Intelligence.  Our technology centers around a proven, scalable electronically-steered radar for sophisticated spaceborne applications such as earth observation using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, as well as enabling advanced defense missions such as target tracking on the ground and in the air.

Kapta Space is seeking a Principal Radar Engineer to lead radar systems engineering and algorithm development for spaceborne MTI, including target detection, tracking, and performance modeling. We are seeking a hands-on radar SME who can translate mission needs into high-performance radar modes and algorithms.

## Role

- Define requirements and architectures for spaceborne MTI detection, tracking, and performance
- Develop MTI algorithms for Doppler processing, clutter suppression, detection, association, and tracking
- Model radar and tracker performance in MATLAB/Python across representative orbital geometries and target scenarios
- Lead waveform, processing, detection-threshold, and tracker trade studies to optimize mission performance
- Analyze simulated and measured data; define metrics, test cases, and verification methods
- Partner with RF/antenna, FPGA, software, and systems teams to implement and validate algorithms on hardware
- Serve as MTI radar SME, mentor engineers, support customer reviews, and help grow the radar team

Required Qualifications

- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, or related field
- 8+ years in radar systems/signal processing, including MTI detection and target tracking
- Expertise in waveform design, Doppler processing, detection theory, clutter, tracking, and radar performance
- Experience with SAR-based MTI/GMTI algorithms and tracker modeling/evaluation
- Strong MATLAB/Python skills for modeling, simulation, algorithms, and data analysis
- Strong foundation in estimation theory, probability/statistics, Fourier analysis, and numerical methods
- Ability to turn mission needs into requirements, architectures, trade studies, and verification plans in a lean startup environment

Bonus if candidates have experience and skills in the following areas:

- Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in EE, Physics, Mathematics, Signal Processing, or related field
- Spaceborne radar/SAR experience, including orbital-geometry impacts on MTI performance
- Advanced tracking methods: Kalman/EKF/UKF, IMM, MHT, track-before-detect, or feature-aided tracking
- SAR/MTI clutter suppression using DPCA, STAP, or other multi-channel techniques
- Familiarity with STANAG 4607/4676, OMS/UCI, or related MTI data standards
- Phased arrays, electronic beam steering, digital beamforming, and radar calibration
- Real-time algorithm implementation in C/C++, FPGA, GPU, or embedded processors
- Radar integration, hardware-in-the-loop test, and verification/validation experience
- Experience briefing DoD/IC customers as a principal technical representative
- Current or ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Concerned you do not meet all the requirements? Not a problem - please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria.

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Kapta Employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful U.S. permanent residents (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Commerce as applicable.

Kapta Space is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation, strengthens our team, and broadens our capabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.

Kapta Space does not engage with external recruiters or agencies without prior written agreement. If you are a recruiter (individual or agency) and wish to engage with Kapta Space for talent acquisition, please email hr@kaptaspace.com.

## About Kapta Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Kapta Space develops next-generation spaceborne radar systems using metasurface-based electronically steered antennas to provide persistent geospatial intelligence and defense tracking capabilities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA
- **Founded**: 2023 (company work began in 2022)
- **Founders**: Milton Perque (CEO) and Adam Bily (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Spaceborne radar, geospatial intelligence, defense technology
- **Target customers**: U.S. defense agencies (DARPA, military), satellite operators, commercial data aggregators, and industries such as mining, energy, and transportation
- **Mission**: "Arm our partners with persistent and actionable insights on a global scale."

## Products & Services
- **Metasurface Electronically Steered Array (ESA) Radar**: A low-cost, energy-efficient spaceborne radar platform that uses ultra-thin metamaterial surfaces to shape electromagnetic waves, enabling synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging and ground moving target indication (GMTI).
- **InSAR Change Detection**: Interferometric SAR data providing millimeter-scale 3D change detection for commercial applications in mining, energy, and transportation.
- **Defense Tracking Solutions**: Spaceborne radar for tracking custody of mobile land and sea targets, moving target indication, and resilience against electronic warfare (EW) threats.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of $5M in seed (2025) plus a $1.8M DARPA SBIR contract; CB Insights lists a total of $5.5M (conflicting reports on total funding amount)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: MetaVC Partners (lead, backed by Bill Gates), Entrada Ventures, Blue Collective; DARPA as a government partner
- **Growth Signals**: Exited stealth mode in February 2025; secured security clearances for classified defense contracts; plans in-orbit demonstration with 2–3 satellites; actively seeking additional private and military investment.

## Competitive Advantages
- Proven, scalable electronically steered metasurface antenna architecture that is cheaper and more energy-efficient than traditional Active Electronically Steered Arrays (AESAs)
- Strong defense credentials: DARPA contract, security clearances, and deep founder expertise from Echodyne, Apple, and Astranis
- Unique capability to maintain continuous tracking of moving targets from space (GMTI), a historically elusive defense challenge
- Operational resilience against electronic warfare threats, enabling effective operations in contested environments

## Strategic Focus
- Rapidly transition technology from ground demonstrations to in-orbit validation
- Build and launch a constellation of at least 2–3 satellites to demonstrate moving-target custody handoff
- Expand into additional defense markets: maritime domain awareness, space-based ballistic missile defense, and space domain awareness
- Form partnerships with mission providers, launch services, and ground operations to accelerate deployment

## Why Work Here
- On-site work environment in Seattle, WA
- Small, focused team (~10 employees) with direct impact on cutting-edge space radar technology
- Opportunity to work on high-stakes defense and national security applications
- Early-stage startup culture with close collaboration between engineering and leadership
- No specific perks or remote policy publicly listed; candidates are encouraged to join the Kapta Talent Community for updates

## Sources
1. [kaptaspace.com](https://www.kaptaspace.com/)
2. [spacenews.com](https://spacenews.com/kapta-space-exits-stealth-mode-with-bold-plans-for-space-based-target-tracking/)
3. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/kapta-space)
4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/kapta-space)
5. [jobs.lever.co](https://jobs.lever.co/kapta-space)

## Other roles at Kapta Space

- [Senior Embedded Firmware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-embedded-firmware-engineer-kapta-space-redmond-vrzwhrz316mk) — Redmond, WA
- [Senior Technical Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-program-manager-kapta-space-redmond-2ekfnxqq1gc2) — Redmond, WA
- [Director of Hardware Engineering – Spaceborne Radar Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-hardware-engineering-spaceborne-radar-systems-kapta-space-redmond-xdxwcbtyvbab) — Redmond, WA
- [Director – Radar Payloads](https://feeny.ai/job/director-radar-payloads-kapta-space-redmond-04k6v82npmj7) — Redmond, WA
- [Senior FPGA Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-fpga-engineer-kapta-space-redmond-gbkfcc21z9v6) — Redmond, WA
- [Senior Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-kapta-space-redmond-9cdppynk9dv9) — Redmond, WA
- [Principal Antenna Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-antenna-engineer-kapta-space-redmond-4etxpxgfqyq1) — Redmond, WA
- [Principal RF/Microwave Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-rf-microwave-engineer-kapta-space-redmond-wwh7hf2d9m4t) — Redmond, WA
- [Director of Manufacturing – Spaceborne Radar Payloads](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-manufacturing-spaceborne-radar-payloads-kapta-space-redmond-7kfkg0kcppk1) — Redmond, WA
- [Senior PCB Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-pcb-designer-kapta-space-redmond-7d8899d9qdnt) — Redmond, WA