Principal Communication Systems Engineer II

CesiumAstro; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A space communications firm based in Milton Keynes is seeking a Principal Communication Systems Engineer II to lead the development of advanced satellite communication systems. The ideal candidate will have a Master's or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and over 11 years of experience in space communications, with a strong background in communication theory and RF concepts. This role offers competitive benefits and opportunities for personal growth.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Employer pension contributions

Generous vacation and sick leave

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 11+ years of experience in space communications.
• Very strong background in communication theory.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate customer needs to define requirements and integrate technical parameters.
• Lead trade studies to optimize system architecture.
• Define and validate space system requirements and interfaces.

Skills

Communication theory

RF concepts

FPGA

Python

C++

Education

Master's or Doctorate in Electrical Engineering

Job description

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Principal Communication Systems Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge phased array antennas and radios for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering, experience in space technology, and the ability to be the technical point of contact for our communication programs. In this position, you will lead the development of space architecture concepts, sub-system design, payload design, requirements development, analysis and decomposition, high-level software and hardware system architecture design, concept of operations (CONOPS) development, and risk assessment. You will coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams, raise issues at the program level, and drive complex programs to success.

The successful candidate will communicate effectively with team members and internal stakeholders, both verbally and through written content.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate customer and operational needs to define requirements, integrate technical parameters, and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces.
• Support reviews of requests for proposals to support solution development and response.
• Lead trade studies to optimize system architecture.
• Define and validate space system requirements and interfaces.
• Develop and direct technical concept development in support of proposals.
• Lead development of space architecture concepts, sub-system design, payload design, requirements development, analysis and decomposition, hardware system design, Link budget studies, gain line up, cascade analysis, array simulation studies, concept of operations (CONOPS) development, and risk reduction.
• Lead analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, system security, regulatory, certification, product assurance and other specialties quality factors into a preferred configuration to ensure mission success.
• Participate in developing system engineering processes for requirements management, flow down, and traceability.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or Doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 11+ years of experience in space communications.
• Very strong background in communication theory.
• Deep understanding of RF concept, impairments, and the resulting impacts.
• Background and practical experience with FPGA & modern vector processing engines.
• Experience with and understanding of satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS).
• Experience with at least one scripting and one programming language (ideally Python & C++).
• Experience working with product/component developers and vendors who provide critical functionality to the overall system.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Ability to define work direction, track milestones, and demonstrate progress on large open-ended projects.
• Sense of urgency, with the ability to work well under pressure.
• The ability to work well in teams, with peers and management.

Benefits

• CesiumAstro is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salaries and great benefits including competitive employer pension contributions, company-provided income protection and life insurance cover, an employee assistance program, and generous vacation and sick leave.
• Tremendous scope for personal growth and professional development in a high-growth company.
• A highly talented, passionate, international team that is changing the space industry.
• Modern working environment.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Please be aware that many roles will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including new starter’s nationality, any previous or dual nationalities held, place of birth and country of residence may limit those roles that you can perform for the organisation.

CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.