Lead Space Communications System Test Engineer

CesiumAstro, Inc.; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Generous benefits package

Job summary

CesiumAstro, Inc. is seeking a Principal Communication System Engineer II to lead system integration, test, and verification for space communications payloads.

You will own test strategies from development through qualification, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring performance against mission requirements. The role emphasizes hands-on lab bring-up, test execution, debugging, and reporting to leadership, with deep expertise in RF and digital systems and a focus on robust test

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 11+ years in space communications, with hands-on system integration/testing experience.
• Strong understanding of RF concepts and link performance.
• Experience with RF/digital test equipment and calibration.

Responsibilities

• Lead test strategies across components, subsystems, and links.
• Develop verification/validation plans translating requirements into test cases.
• Own hands-on system bring-up and troubleshooting of RF and digital chains.
• Develop automated test capabilities and data-analysis tools.
• Characterize RF and link performance against budgets and models.
• Verify phased-array performance with OTA/ground tests.
• Validate modem and data-layer operation under nominal and degraded conditions.
• Define lab environments and channel-emulation for mission-representative tests.
• Lead failure analysis and corrective-action verification.
• Coordinate environmental qualification and test readiness reviews.
• Drive testability, scope, and schedules with design teams.

Skills

Strong RF theory

Hands-on RF testing

Team collaboration

Pressure-driven delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

C++

Vector Signal Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Network Analyzers

Power Meters

Job description

CesiumAstro, Inc. is seeking a Principal Communication System Engineer II to lead system integration, test, and verification for space communications payloads.

You will own test strategies from development through qualification, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring performance against mission requirements. The role emphasizes hands-on lab bring-up, test execution, debugging, and reporting to leadership, with deep expertise in RF and digital systems and a focus on robust test