Ground & Payload Engineer, 53 SOPS

United States Space Force; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Space Force at Schriever SFB, Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a Ground & Payload Engineer to support 53 SOPS, GS 12/13 equivalent, and lead on-orbit and ground-segment test campaigns for cutting-edge satellite constellations.

You will evaluate RF terminals and modems for compliance, design instrumentation to assess spacecraft performance, mentor engineers, and present findings to senior defense leaders to enable new space capabilities.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BS in Electrical/Electronics/Aerospace Engineering; MS/PhD preferred.
• Experience leading on-orbit and ground-segment test campaigns and authoring technical reports.
• Expert knowledge in RF, satellite communications, and test & evaluation programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-orbit and ground-segment test campaigns for satellite constellations.
• Evaluate RF terminals and modems for compliance and performance.
• Design instrumentation to evaluate spacecraft performance under operational loading.
• Mentor team members and present findings to senior defense acquisition leaders.
• Apply military standards to testing and evaluation programs.

Skills

RF link engineering

Satellite communications

Test & evaluation

Instrumentation design

Technical reporting

Leadership

Oral/written communication

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Electrical/Electronics/Aerospace Engineering

MS or PhD in RF/Microwave/Satellite Communications preferred

Tools

RF instrumentation

Satellite link budget analysis

Job description

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Schriever SFB, Colorado Springs, CO is searching for a Ground & Payload Engineer to support 53 SOPS (NH-0855-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:

Are you ready to advance next-generation military space communications and apply your RF expertise to mission-critical systems? As our Senior SATCOM Electronics Engineer, you will serve as a lead technical specialist guiding comprehensive on-orbit and ground-segment test campaigns for cutting-edge satellite constellations while actively contributing to the evolution of military standards. On any given day, you will evaluate advanced user terminals and modems for compliance and high-fidelity link modeling, design custom instrumentation to evaluate spacecraft performance under operational loading, resolve complex RF anomalies, mentor team members, and present substantiated findings to senior defense acquisition leaders to clear new space capabilities for the field. If you thrive on technical curiosity, enjoy solving multidisciplinary engineering puzzles that connect space hardware with operational effects, and want your work to make a tangible national impact, this is the team for you.

Ideal Candidate:

Background:

The ideal candidate is a recognized subject matter expert with a multidisciplinary background integrating satellite radio frequency (RF) link engineering, space and ground segment systems, and cross-functional defense program leadership.

Education:

The candidate holds an ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Electronics, or Aerospace Engineering, with an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in RF/Microwave Systems or Satellite Communications strongly preferred.

Training:

The candidate possesses formalized technical training in satellite link budget analysis, RF instrumentation, and military standards compliance.

Experience:

The candidate brings extensive, progressively responsible engineering experience taking initiative to lead on-orbit and ground-segment test and evaluation campaigns, conceiving novel instrumentation solutions, and authoring rigorous, evidence-based technical reports supporting major defense acquisition programs.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Expert knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the variety of professional, technical, and specialty fields based on professional training in electronics engineering and extensive experience in research and development. For education to be acceptable, the program must lead to a Bachelor’s degree from a school of engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
2. Expert technical knowledge of advanced concepts, principles, and practices of electronics engineering that enables the incumbent to serve as an expert in satellite Radio Frequency (RF) and in the test and evaluation and research and development of evaluation programs for emerging constellations.
3. Experience in testing and evaluation in electronics engineering to make recommendations which result in significant changes to important areas of the test and evaluation programs.
4. Skill in applying advanced electronic engineering concepts, so as to be able to serve as an expert to resolve difficult/novel engineering problems and issues, and plan, design, monitor and evaluate complex engineering programs and projects.
5. Ability to ensure the latest and most desirable developments in RF electronics and related engineering fields, technology, and threats are applied to support testing and training.
6. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
7. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
8. Ability to identify problems and use sound judgment and decisions to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Requirements:

1. Must be a U.S Citizen.
2. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret / SCI security clearance.
3. PCS / Incentive funding is authorized and may be made available.
4. Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
5. May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
6. May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
7. Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
8. Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 65 days per year.
9. This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
10. Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
11. This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.