Communications Systems Engineer

Lockheed Martin; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Flexible working hours

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Lockheed Martin in Gloucester is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer to design and develop Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems, focusing on architectures, interfaces, protocols and network topography.

You will work across defence, cyber and intelligence programmes, collaborating with hardware and software teams to deliver robust, standards-compliant solutions and to test and validate complex communications networks.

Qualifications

• SDR architectures for comms applications.
• Interfaces, protocols, encodings, and standards.
• Network topographies and link budgets.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize SDR system architectures for comms.
• Develop interfaces and protocols for SDR systems.
• Model network topologies for seamless integration.
• Integrate SDR solutions with hardware and software teams.
• Ensure standards compliance and interoperability.
• Test and validate communication systems.
• Collaborate with multi-discipline teams.

Skills

SDR architectures

Interfaces & Protocols

Network topologies

System integration

Network modelling

Analytical skills

Tools

OpenCPI

GnuRadio

Python

C/C++

GitLab

Job description

About The Role

We're seeking a highly skilled Communications Systems Engineer to join our team at our Gloucester site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the design and development of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems, focusing on system architectures, interfaces, protocols, and network topography. You will play a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions for Defence, Cyber, and Intelligence programmes.

About The Role

We're seeking a highly skilled Communications Systems Engineer to join our team at our Gloucester site. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the design and development of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) systems, focusing on system architectures, interfaces, protocols, and network topography. You will play a pivotal role in delivering innovative solutions for Defence, Cyber, and Intelligence programmes.
At Lockheed Martin, we offer a collaborative environment where you can thrive professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We provide flexible working hours, hybrid work options when possible, and a comprehensive benefits package to support both your career and personal life.
As a Communications Systems Engineer, you’ll be responsible for designing, integrating, and optimizing SDR systems, ensuring they meet the requirements of complex mission environments. You’ll be involved in working with advanced communication architectures, industry protocols, and network topologies, making this role ideal for someone passionate about next-generation communication systems.

Key Responsibilities

• SDR System Architecture – Consult upon the design and optimization of Software-Defined Radio (SDR) system architectures for advanced communications applications, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Interfaces & Protocols – Develop and implement interfaces and communication protocols to support robust, high-performance SDR systems.
• Network Topography – Design and model network topologies, ensuring seamless integration and efficient communication across diverse systems and platforms.
• System Integration – Collaborate with hardware and software teams to integrate SDR solutions into larger mission systems and ensure full system functionality.
• Standards Compliance – Ensure adherence to relevant industry standards and protocols to maintain interoperability and compliance with operational requirements.
• Testing & Validation – Conduct testing and validation of communication systems, verifying the correct operation of interfaces, protocols, and network structures.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration – Work closely with engineers from other disciplines, including software, RF, and payload development teams, to integrate communication systems effectively into broader platforms.

If you’re passionate about designing cutting-edge communication systems and want to contribute to innovative solutions for critical Defence, Cyber, and Intelligence applications, we’d love to hear from you.

Required Skills, Qualifications And Experience

• Strong experience with SDR system architectures for communications applications.
• In-depth knowledge of communication interfaces, protocols, encoding schemes, and standards (e.g., TCP/IP, IEEE 802 standards, cellular mobile network standards, forward error correction schemes etc.).
• Experience in designing network topographies and link budgets to support complex communication systems.
• Familiarity with the integration of SDR systems and associated components.
• Proficiency with network modelling and system design tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on system performance and efficiency.

Desired Skills

• Experience with real-time communication systems and network management tools.
• Knowledge of OpenCPI, GnuRadio, Python, C/C++, and other SDR development tools.
• Experience working in Linux environments and using GitLab or similar version control tools.
• Background in working with Defence or Cyber communications systems.
• Familiarity with interoperability testing and network performance analysis.