Andrew Dahir

Andrew Dahir, wearing a yellow helmet, stands in front of a radar with the ocean in the backdrop.
With its focus on mission-driven R&D for national security, Lincoln Laboratory was the ideal place to begin my career after graduate school.

What made you decide to pursue a career here?

I was drawn to a career in which I could tackle the most challenging problems facing our nation. With its focus on mission-driven R&D for national security, Lincoln Laboratory was the ideal place to begin my career after graduate school. At the Laboratory, I've expanded my expertise across multiple technical disciplines. I initially focused on orbital analysis and spacecraft systems, and then broadened into laser communications and microelectronics. Most recently, I've transitioned into radar systems, applying and integrating knowledge from all these diverse areas. This evolution has been instrumental in developing my capabilities as a systems engineer and has reinforced the value of cross-disciplinary experience in problem solving.

What does your research focus on?

My long-term research focuses on autonomous satellite navigation. At the Kwajalein Field Site, I've worked on critical projects, including leading the high-voltage power supply upgrade for the TRADEX L-band radar and rebuilding the transmit chain on the TRADEX S-band radar. The opportunity to challenge myself, develop innovative solutions, and resolve complex technical issues under the austere and resource-limited conditions of Kwajalein is both fulfilling and pivotal to my professional growth.

What is a typical day on Kwajalein like?

Most days begin with a bike ride to the airport, followed by an 18-minute flight to Roi-Namur that offers breathtaking views of the entire atoll and surrounding ocean. Once there, I work on unique radar systems dating back to the 1960s. Depending on the day, I'm climbing antenna structures for inspections, running tests proving out new capabilities, or troubleshooting intricate problems related to high-power transmitters and aging systems in preparation for upcoming missions.

What are some of your short- and/or long-term goals?

My long-term goal is to become an astronaut. I'm deeply motivated by the prospect of living and working in space, where I can apply my problem-solving skills to address the unique challenges of that environment.

If you could solve any problem in the world, what would it be and why?

During my undergraduate years, I met physicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who described pulsars as "the lighthouses of the universe." That phrase has stayed with me ever since. I'm passionate about solving the "lost-in-space" problem — enabling position determination in space using only celestial objects. My dissertation solved this problem for a portion of the solar system, but I aspire to extend this research to encompass the entire solar system and Earth's sphere of influence.

What are your hobbies?

Living on Kwajalein offers incredible opportunities. Sea glass hunting with my daughter has become one of my favorite pastimes, as has diving the coral reefs and World War II shipwrecks right from my backyard. I'm also passionate about rock climbing and currently hold four world records, past and present, in indoor rock climbing.