Director, Systems Engineering

Vivid Technology; Maryland; On-site; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivid Technology in Rockville, Maryland seeks a Director of Systems Engineering to lead the UT engineering function. You will own system architecture, requirements, and verification for Ku/Ka-band satellite terminals, spanning RF, baseband, and multi-orbit integration.

You will mentor a diverse engineering team and collaborate with hardware, software, RF, and product groups to deliver next‑gen terminal platforms. A strong background in satellite systems and MBSE is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in systems engineering or telecom/satellite systems.
• Proven leadership; experience mentoring engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of satellite communications and RF systems.
• Experience with Ku/Ka-band phased-array antennas.
• Experience with MBSE and SysML methodologies.
• OTA testing and satellite trials experience.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++.
• Familiarity with DOORS, Jama or Jira.
• Experience with 5G NR-NTN and non-terrestrial networks.
• Experience in EAR/ITAR-controlled environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary systems engineering team.
• Own end-to-end User Terminal system architecture and requirements.
• Drive systems engineering across Ku/Ka-band antennas, beamformers and RF front ends.
• Lead RF and system-level trade-offs including link budgets and beamforming.
• Oversee system integration, verification and OTA testing.
• Establish requirements management, verification strategies and test plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage risks and roadmaps.
• Support integration of 5G NR-NTN into terminal platforms.
• Engage with customers and partners on technical strategy.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Satellite communications

RF systems

Ku/Ka-band phased-array antennas

Beamforming

MBSE

SysML

OTA testing

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/CS or related

Postgraduate qualifications preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

DOORS

Jama

Jira

Job description

Vivid Technology is working with a leading global satellite communications and antenna technology business to appoint a Director of Systems Engineering to lead its User Terminal (UT) engineering function in Rockville, Maryland.

This is a senior engineering leadership opportunity for an experienced systems engineering professional with a strong background in satellite communications, phased-array antenna technology and complex RF systems. The successful individual will combine technical expertise with the ability to lead, develop and grow a high-performing engineering team.

The Opportunity

You will take ownership of User Terminal systems engineering, leading architecture, integration, verification and product development across advanced Ku/Ka-band satellite terminal technologies.

Working closely with hardware, software, RF, product and programme teams, you will help deliver next-generation multi-orbit satellite connectivity solutions across LEO, MEO and GEO networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary systems engineering team, including performance management, resource planning and technical development.
• Own end-to-end User Terminal system architecture, requirements definition and technical design decisions.
• Drive systems engineering across Ku/Ka-band phased-array antennas, beamformer chipsets, RF front ends, modems and baseband technologies.
• Lead RF and system-level trade-offs, including link budgets, G/T, EIRP, beamforming and antenna performance.
• Oversee system integration, verification and validation, including OTA testing, satellite trials and field evaluations.
• Establish requirements management, verification strategies, test plans and product release processes.
• Work cross-functionally to manage technical risks, resolve complex engineering challenges and deliver product roadmaps.
• Support the integration of 5G NR-NTN and multi-orbit satellite capabilities into next-generation terminal platforms.
• Engage with customers, partners and senior stakeholders on technical strategy and product delivery.

Experience Required

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related technical discipline; postgraduate qualifications preferred.
• 10+ years' experience in systems engineering, software/hardware development or complex telecommunications and satellite systems.
• Proven engineering leadership experience, including managing, mentoring and developing engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of satellite communications, RF systems and digital communications.
• Experience with Ku/Ka-band phased-array antennas, beamforming, calibration and antenna integration.
• Background in system architecture, requirements management and verification methodologies.
• Practical experience with OTA testing, satellite trials and RF-to-baseband integration.
• Strong programming or modelling experience with MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++.
• Understanding of computer networking, TCP/IP and communications protocols.
• Familiarity with requirements tools such as DOORS, Jama or Jira.
• 3GPP Release 17 or later, 5G NR-NTN and non-terrestrial networks.
• DVB-S2X and multi-orbit satellite user terminals.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML.
• Antenna production testing, calibration and regulatory certification.
• Experience working within EAR/ITAR-controlled environments.