Senior RF Systems Engineer

Myticas LLC; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialized engineering firm in Ottawa is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineering Specialist focused on satellite communications. The role demands a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, significant experience with RF communications, including DVB-S2 standards, and skills in collaboration and communication. The successful candidate will analyze RF link budgets, mentor junior engineers, and assess system performance. Salary range is $110,000 to $140,000, reflecting the seniority of this position.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field with RF and digital communications focus.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in RF or satellite communications engineering.
• Proven experience with digital communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze RF link budgets and model signal impairments.
• Collaborate with engineers to optimize system performance.
• Define and maintain requirements for RF links and subsystems.

Skills

Collaboration in cross-functional teams

Written and verbal communication

Explaining technical concepts

Managing technical challenges

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Senior RF Systems Engineering Specialist – Satellite Communications

This role requires deep technical expertise in satellite RF communications, with a strong focus on physical layer and Layer 2 system design. A solid working knowledge of Layer 3 and higher protocols is also expected. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience with DVB-S2, DVB-S2X, and DVB-RCS2 standards, along with a strong foundation in RF and digital communications theory.

You will have hands-on experience with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) techniques and a strong understanding of modern antenna technologies, including active and phased array systems. This includes digital beamforming, rapid beam hopping, and antenna performance modelling. The role operates within a systems engineering framework, requiring familiarity with requirements management and the full lifecycle from concept through verification.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze and review RF link budgets, conduct system-level trade studies, and model signal impairments to evaluate overall communications performance.

• Collaborate closely with system architects, RF, antenna, and earth station engineers to allocate functionality between hardware and software while optimizing system performance.

• Develop and maintain high-level requirements and specifications for RF links, RF subsystems, and antenna systems, including managing requirement updates as designs evolve.

• Define, review, and assess test plans, procedures, and results to verify compliance with system specifications.

• Perform system performance characterization and analysis, maintaining detailed performance budgets for assigned system elements.

• Provide technical expertise in support of regulatory, spectrum coordination, and market access activities.

• Mentor junior engineers and serve as a technical resource for team members with developing domain expertise.

• Prepare and deliver technical presentations to internal and external engineering audiences as required.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field, with a focus on RF, antenna and microwave engineering, digital communications, or digital signal processing.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience performing system-level RF or satellite communications engineering.

• Proven experience with digital communication systems, including spread-spectrum and single- and multi-carrier architectures.

• Strong background in modulation schemes such as PSK, APSK, and QAM.

• Direct experience with DVB-S2X, DVB-RCS2, and Adaptive Coding and Modulation techniques.

• Demonstrated capability in modelling RF communication systems using advanced tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent environments.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong collaborator who performs effectively in cross-functional engineering teams.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• High standards for technical quality, accuracy, and documentation.

• Capable of managing multiple complex technical challenges concurrently.

Salary Range – $110,000 – $140,000