Digital Communications Space Systems Engineer 4

CHIPTON-ROSS Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Chipton-Ross is seeking a Digital Communications Space Systems Engineer (Level 4) for a contract opportunity in El Segundo, CA.

In this role, you will perform waveform, link, and capacity analyses, conduct system-of-systems trade studies, and apply digital communications expertise to optimize advanced space architectures. The position is full-time, on-site in El Segundo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant engineering experience in satellite communications, constellation design, systems engineering, or MS&A.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for scientific computing and data analysis.
• Strong foundation in digital communications and DSP fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience using modeling and simulation tools for RF and digital communications analysis.
• Familiarity with space system design concepts, link budgets, coverage analysis, beam pattern synthesis, and orbital visibility assessments.
• Demonstrated experience conducting system-of-systems trade studies and technical evaluations.
• Proven ability to synthesize and present complex technical results clearly.

Responsibilities

• In this role, you will perform waveform, link, and capacity analyses, execute system-of-systems trade studies, and apply digital communications and satellite mission operations expertise to evaluate and optimize advanced space architectures.
• Duties may include: Space Communications Design & Analysis – model, design, and analyze end-to-end communications systems using purpose-built simulation tools and DSP principles.
• System-of-Systems Trades & Resource Scheduling – conduct constellation-level trade studies and optimize dynamic allocation of resources.
• Subsystem Integration & Requirements Analysis – translate multi-subsystem constraints into actionable engineering trades.
• Software Quality & Configuration Management – review, validate, and document simulation models and codebases with Git/GitLab.
• Technical Visualization & Communication – build visualizations and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Satellite communications

DSP fundamentals

Python/MATLAB

System-of-Systems

Trade studies

Presenting results

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical/Computer/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Git/GitLab

Modeling/simulation tools

Job description

Chipton-Ross is seeking a Digital Communications Space Systems Engineer (Level 4) for a contract opportunity in El Segundo, CA

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS (REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE):

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: 2–5 years of relevant engineering experience in satellite communications, constellation design, systems engineering, or MS&A.
• Programming: Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for scientific computing and data analysis.
• Domain Knowledge: Strong foundation in digital communications and digital signal processing (DSP) fundamentals.
• Analytical Tooling: Hands-on experience using modeling and simulation tools for RF and digital communications analysis.
• Space Systems & Analysis: Familiarity with space system design concepts, link budgets, coverage analysis, beam pattern synthesis, and orbital visibility assessments.
• Trade Studies: Demonstrated experience conducting system-of-systems trade studies and technical evaluations.
• Communication: Proven ability to synthesize and present complex technical results clearly..

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

In this role, you will perform waveform, link, and capacity analyses, execute system-of-systems trade studies, and apply digital communications and satellite mission operations expertise to evaluate and optimize advanced space architectures. Duties may include (but are not limited to):

• Space Communications Design & Analysis
  Model, design, and analyze end-to-end communications systems, including waveforms, terminal networks, and ground/space hubs using purpose-built simulation tools.
  Apply Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and digital communications principles, including modulations, Forward Error Correction (FEC), and standard waveform families for MILSATCOM and commercial systems (e.g., PTW, DVB-S2/S2X, W-CDMA).
  Perform detailed link budget and closure analyses accounting for nonlinear distortion, adjacent-channel/self-interference, intentional jamming, and advanced threat environments.
• System-of-Systems Trades & Resource Scheduling
  Conduct constellation-level trade studies and performance analyses across multi-vehicle space architectures.
  Evaluate multi-variable trade-offs (cost, priority, coverage, throughput) for constellation mission operations.
  Optimize dynamic allocation and scheduling of constellation resources, including time, RF bandwidth, transmit power, and onboard data storage.
• Subsystem Integration & Requirements Analysis
  Translate multi-subsystem constraints into actionable engineering trades and optimization models.
  Partner with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-fidelity system representations and drive architecture decisions.
• Software Quality & Configuration Management
  Review, validate, and document simulation models and analytical codebases.
  Maintain version control and collaborative development workflows using modern configuration management tools (e.g., Git/GitLab).
• Technical Visualization & Communication
  Build high-impact visualizations, including interactive dashboards, dynamic data graphics, and mission concept videos.
  Present simulation findings and technical trade-offs clearly to stakeholders to inform critical program decisions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (DESIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE):

• Experience developing custom FPGA IP, working with High-Level Synthesis (HLS), or interfacing with custom hardware peripherals.
• Experience with high-speed serial protocols and network communications (10GbE, PCIe, Aurora, SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553).
• Experience building real-time data streaming and command-and-control (C2) visualization tools for space or aerospace test systems.
• Familiarity with CI/CD build pipelines, automated testing, and containerized workflows (Docker) for embedded targets.
• Demonstrated technical leadership during complex hardware/software integration campaigns.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline (e.g. Bachelor's and 9 or more years' experience, Master's with 7 or more years' experience or PhD with 4 or more years' experience). In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

TRAVEL:

Domestic travel, less than 10%.

WORK HOURS:

FULL TIME/FIRST SHIFT; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ADDITIONAL:

Applicants responding to this position will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements by currently possessing the ability to view classified government information.