RF Communications Systems Engineer

SES Space & DEFENSE; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense seeks a Principal RF Communications Systems Engineer to lead RF design and analysis for space architectures in a hybrid Reston environment. You will drive link-budget work, RF impairment modeling, and robust end-to-end SATCOM connectivity across space, ground, and network segments.

The role requires developing or integrating advanced waveforms, modems, and RF subsystems, working with U.S.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering or related field.
• Microwave and RF hardware experience.
• Experience owning RF subsystem designs and RF performance verification.

Responsibilities

• Own RF subsystem designs and link performance modeling for space/aerospace systems.
• Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals.
• Validate RF system performance against Eb/N0 margins, throughput, and interference resilience.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure mission readiness and system-level performance.

Skills

RF engineering

Satcom

Link budgets

Waveforms

Field testing

Education

BS degree in Engineering

Tools

Modems

Antennas

Job description

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Principal RF Communications Systems Engineer

Location: Reston, VA, US, 20191

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job ID: 1163

Who We Are:

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real-world impact across today’s most critical missions.

What You’ll Do:

As a Senior RF Communications Engineer, you will lead the design, analysis, and optimization of RF communications performance across SES Space & Defense’s space architectures, assisting in the development of link budgets, modeling RF impairments, and ensuring robust end to ‑end connectivity for mission critical SATCOM operations. You’ll‑ ‑integrate and assist with testing waveforms, modems, antennas, and RF subsystems. You will solve complex interoperability challenges, support advanced waveform and capability development, and drive enhancements that strengthen resilience, throughput, and reliability. You’ll also collaborate across space, systems, and network engineering teams, support operational missions with RF troubleshooting, and contribute to technical governance, readiness assessments, and system level ‑performance decisions.

1. What the person is owning or responsible for

• Own RF communications design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal to‑ ‑network RF behavior.
• Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals.
• Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N₀ margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability.

2. What they are building, solving, or driving

• Build and refine high performance RF links for low‑ latency‑ LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments.
• Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces.

3. Why the role matters

• Ensures mission critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures.
• Enables technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi orbit‑and multi‑vendor environments.
• Accelerate delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes.

4. What makes it interesting or challenging

• Involves advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting-edge LEO and multi‑ orbit‑SATCOM systems.
• Requires working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link layer‑ networking, and integrated ground infrastructure.
• Operates at the intersection of cutting-edge communications technology, real‑ world‑ environmental constraints, and demanding mission needs.

Who You Are:

We are looking for an experienced RF communications engineer with a strong record of owning and delivering complex SATCOM or aerospace communication systems across space, ground, and network segments. They have successfully developed or integrated advanced waveforms, modems, prototypes, or communications architectures, often under demanding mission constraints, and have supported field tests, rapid capability insertions, or operational demonstrations. Their background includes working with U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers, bringing deep familiarity with protected communications, cybersecurity requirements, interference environments, and tactical networking. They stand out through recognized subject matter expertise in RF or multi‑ orbit SATCOM engineering and can translate complex technical challenges into clear, mission‑ aligned‑ strategies.

1. Scope of ownership and accountability in previous roles

• Experience owning RF subsystem designs, link performance modeling, and related engineering documentation for SATCOM or aerospace systems.
• Responsible for baseline management of RF requirements, performance verification, and integration readiness.
• Experience supporting field operations, terminal integration, or on orbit‑ performance assessment environments.

2. Examples of solutions, programs, or capabilities you’ve delivered

• Delivered RF or waveform based capabilities, such as new modem integrations, link optimization algorithms, or interference‑ resilient‑ communications solutions.
• Supported prototype development, system demonstrations, or rapid capability insertion efforts.
• Contributed to terminal interoperability upgrades or RF enhancements that improved mission performance.

3. Exposure to relevant industries, customers, or mission sets

• Experience in SATCOM, RF communications, tactical radios, aerospace systems, or defense networking.
• Past support for U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers conducting mission critical‑ communications.
• Familiarity with protected communications, jamming environments, spectrum policy, and cybersecurity aware‑ RF architectures.

4. Required Education, Experience & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 4 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Microwave, radio frequency, and/or optical telecom hardware experience.
• Excellent customer service, accountability, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.
• Solid critical thinking skills that result in effective decision making and priority setting.
• Team building skills with a player/coach mindset.
• Attention to detail that leads to complete, high-quality engineering products.

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. #LI-Hybrid

An Equal Opportunity Employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.