Principal Engineer, Level 3 Support

SES Space & Defense; Bristow (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick and personal leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

SES Space & Defense in Virginia is seeking a senior SATCOM engineer to provide Tier III support for GEO/MEO systems across global infrastructure. You’ll work with customers, field teams, and engineering to resolve complex issues and ensure reliable service delivery.

The role requires 8–10 years in SATCOM, strong knowledge of GEO/MEO, and willingness to travel domestically and internationally. A DoD security clearance is preferred; U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8–10 years of SATCOM engineering, field engineering, or satellite communications operations experience
• Strong knowledge of GEO and MEO satellite communications systems, including operational support, integration, and troubleshooting
• Experience supporting fixed and mobile SATCOM systems, antennas, terminals, modems, networking equipment, and associated infrastructure
• Working knowledge of IP networking, routing, and communications technologies; Juniper experience preferred
• Experience conducting system testing, acceptance activities, site surveys, installations, and operational readiness assessments
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally in support of customer operations and system deployments
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance; active clearance preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide Tier III technical support for GEO and MEO satellite communications services, supporting escalated operational and customer issues
• Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT), bench testing, validation, and certification of SATCOM equipment, terminals, and integrated systems
• Support installation, activation, integration, and sustainment of fixed and mobile satellite communications systems in customer environments
• Conduct site surveys and technical assessments, providing recommendations for system design, deployment, and operational readiness
• Troubleshoot complex SATCOM, networking, and system integration issues across customer and SES-operated infrastructure
• Support field service activities, including domestic and international travel for installations, repairs, upgrades, and operational support
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, as-built drawings, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guidance
• Deliver customer and internal training on SATCOM systems, operational procedures, and troubleshooting methodologies
• Support warehouse, RMA, asset management, and equipment lifecycle activities to ensure operational readiness of deployed systems
• Collaborate with Network Operations, Engineering, Service Delivery, and customer stakeholders to improve system performance and service reliability

Job description

Who We Are

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Who We Are

At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will serve as a senior technical authority supporting the deployment, integration, sustainment, and troubleshooting of mission-critical GEO and MEO satellite communications systems. You will provide Tier III engineering support across SES Space & Defense’s global SATCOM infrastructure, working directly with customers, field personnel, network operations teams, and engineering organizations to resolve complex technical issues and ensure reliable service delivery. This position combines hands‑on field engineering, systems integration, operational troubleshooting, and customer engagement across a broad range of satellite communications technologies. You will play a key role in maintaining operational readiness, improving service reliability, and supporting the successful deployment of new capabilities across government and defense customer environments.

• Provide Tier III technical support for GEO and MEO satellite communications services, supporting escalated operational and customer issues
• Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT), bench testing, validation, and certification of SATCOM equipment, terminals, and integrated systems
• Support installation, activation, integration, and sustainment of fixed and mobile satellite communications systems in customer environments
• Conduct site surveys and technical assessments, providing recommendations for system design, deployment, and operational readiness
• Troubleshoot complex SATCOM, networking, and system integration issues across customer and SES-operated infrastructure
• Support field service activities, including domestic and international travel for installations, repairs, upgrades, and operational support
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, as-built drawings, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guidance
• Deliver customer and internal training on SATCOM systems, operational procedures, and troubleshooting methodologies
• Support warehouse, RMA, asset management, and equipment lifecycle activities to ensure operational readiness of deployed systems
• Collaborate with Network Operations, Engineering, Service Delivery, and customer stakeholders to improve system performance and service reliability

Who You Are

You are a highly capable SATCOM engineer with extensive experience supporting operational satellite communications systems in government, military, or mission-critical environments. You possess strong technical expertise across GEO and MEO architectures and are comfortable troubleshooting complex issues spanning RF systems, networking, terminals, antennas, and integrated communications infrastructure. You thrive in environments that require both hands‑on technical execution and direct customer engagement, serving as a trusted resource during system deployments, operational challenges, and critical service restoration efforts. You are equally effective working independently in the field or collaborating with cross‑functional engineering and operations teams to solve difficult technical problems. Ultimately, you bring the technical depth, operational mindset, and customer focus required to maintain reliable communications capabilities supporting global mission operations.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8–10 years of SATCOM engineering, field engineering, or satellite communications operations experience
• Strong knowledge of GEO and MEO satellite communications systems, including operational support, integration, and troubleshooting
• Experience supporting fixed and mobile SATCOM systems, antennas, terminals, modems, networking equipment, and associated infrastructure
• Working knowledge of IP networking, routing, and communications technologies; Juniper experience preferred
• Experience conducting system testing, acceptance activities, site surveys, installations, and operational readiness assessments
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in customer-facing and operational environments
• Experience supporting government, military, or defense communications systems preferred
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally in support of customer operations and system deployments
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance; active clearance preferred

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position’s location, the candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense’s benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.