Lead Space Communications Systems Test Engineer

Cesiumastro; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health, dental and vision

HSA/FSA and retirement plans

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Principal Communication System Engineer II to lead the integration, testing, verification, and validation of advanced space communication systems for satellites and airborne platforms. You will own test strategy from development through qualification, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams to ensure performance and readiness for mission operations.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in space communications, RF testing, and hands-on lab work with FPGA and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 11+ years of experience in space communications including strong hands-on testing and verification.
• Deep understanding of RF concepts and link performance.
• Experience with RF and digital test equipment and calibration.
• Experience with scripting and one programming language (Python & C++ preferred).
• Experience with FPGA-based systems and vector processing engines.
• Knowledge of satellite communication standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2X, CCSDS).
• Ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead system integration and test across modules, subsystems, and end-to-end links.
• Develop verification and validation plans linking requirements to test cases.
• Own hands-on system bring-up, troubleshooting, and performance characterization.
• Develop automated test scripts and data-analysis tools for regression testing.
• Characterize RF performance, link budgets, and spectral properties.
• Verify phased-array beam steering, radiation patterns, and frequency response.
• Validate modem and data-layer operations under nominal and degraded conditions.
• Create lab test environments with hardware-in-the-loop and channel emulation.
• Lead failure analyses and corrective-action verification through tests.
• Coordinate environmental qualification and test readiness reviews.
• Define scope, equipment, facilities, schedules, and risks for programs.

Skills

Space communications

Systems engineering

RF testing

Digital communication

Verification & Validation

Test automation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Spectrum Analyzers

Vector Signal Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Network Analyzers

Signal Generators

FPGA development tools

Job description

CesiumAstro is seeking a Principal Communication System Engineer II to lead the integration, testing, verification, and validation of advanced space communication systems for satellites and airborne platforms. You will own test strategy from development through qualification, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams to ensure performance and readiness for mission operations.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in space communications, RF testing, and hands-on lab work with FPGA and