Lead SATCOM MS&A Engineer

The MITRE Corporation; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

The MITRE Corporation seeks a strong SATCOM candidate to push forward programs that advance commercial and military SATCOM in complex environments. The role involves research, design, analysis, testing, modeling & simulation, and emulation of communications networks to tackle national-level challenges.

Responsibilities include building lab testbeds, developing M&S capabilities, conducting hardware/software experiments, and mentoring junior staff while collaborating with sponsors to define

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years with a Master’s; or PhD with 3 years’ experience.
• Thorough knowledge of RF communications theory, including modulations, link budgets, and coding.
• Understanding of satellite systems operations, orbital dynamics and payload processing.
• Experience with military and commercial satellite systems.
• Ability to collaborate in a team, mentor junior staff, and interact with sponsors.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills with modeling/simulation tools (MATLAB/STK).
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and US citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, analyze, test, and emulate SATCOM networks for complex environments.
• Build and maintain lab-based testbeds and proof-of-concept experiments.
• Develop M&S capabilities to assess SATCOM performance.
• Model network performance in tactical environments and validate with experiments.
• Support sponsor work programs and advance SATCOM capabilities.

Skills

RF communications theory

Satellite systems operations

Analytical skills

Mathematical foundation

Modeling & simulation (MATLAB/STK)

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

MATLAB

STK

Job description

Roles & Responsibilities:

MITRE is seeking a strong candidate in satellite communications (SATCOM) to contribute toward a set of programs that are focused on advancing the understanding and utilization of commercial and military SATCOM in complex environments. This position will provide opportunities for professional growth through development, applied research, and innovation of SATCOM capabilities.

Specific duties will vary by project but will generally include a combination of research, design, analysis, testing, experimentation, modeling & simulation (M&S), and emulation of communications networks to solve our nation’s most complex problems. Those activities will include one or more of following:

• Support building & maintaining lab-based testbeds and conducting proof-of-concept experiments
• Development of M&S capabilities to assess performance of SATCOM systems in complex environments
• Conduct hardware and software experimentation to validate models or techniques
• Model performance and behavior of networks and user links in tactical environments
• Research emerging technologies
• Assist MITRE staff in analyzing, modernizing, and advancing sponsor work programs

Basic Qualifications:

• Requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Thorough knowledge of RF communications theory, including modulations, link budgets, error correction coding, channel effects, communication protocols, etc.
• An understanding of satellite systems operations, including orbital dynamics and typical payload processing.
• Some understanding or experience with military and commercial satellite systems
• Ability to effectively collaborate within a team environment to execute analysis and technical development tasks for SATCOM projects, mentoring junior staff to build team competency and productivity.
• Ability to interact with sponsors, including synthesizing mission challenges into technical tasks, developing analytical conclusions, building consensus on recommendations.
• Strong analytical skills, solid mathematical foundation, and familiarity with modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB and STK.
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills.
• Must have an active Top Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 3 days per week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that would be helpful or needed include an understanding of the following topics:

• Electromagnetic propagation
• Antenna design
• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) experience in MATLAB
• Phased array beamforming and technology capabilities
• Digital signal processing and detection and estimation theory
• Anti-jam (AJ) and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection (LPI/LPD) techniques
• Surveillance and reconnaissance mission systems and capabilities
• Systems engineering for satellite systems
• Experience with testing and evaluation related to SATCOM
• Active Top Secret/SCI Clearance

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Top Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$147,200 - $184,000 - $220,800 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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