RF Communications Test Engineer – Satellite Systems

Huntington Ingalls Industries; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 79,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Mission Technologies division, seeks an RF Communications Test Engineer to join our Wright Patterson AFB team in Ohio. The role demands SME leadership for RF test activities, budget analysis, and system evaluation across ground stations, transponders, and user terminals.

The candidate will model RF paths, simulate atmospheric effects, and design test hardware while coordinating with customers to define requirements. A TS/SCI clearance is required; travel is 10-20%.

Qualifications

• 2 - 15+ years relevant experience with Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or a related engineering field OR
• 0 - 13+ years experience with Masters in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or a related engineering field OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 - 19+ years relevant experience
• 3 years of experience relevant to RF test engineering and satellite communications system analysis.
• Strong background in analyzing RF communication systems.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or similar tools for data analysis, modeling, and simulation. MS Excel proficiency.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing skills for writing test reports, and supporting documentation.
• Strong communication skills for effective coordination with customers and team members.
• Minimum Secret clearance required to start
• Applicant must be able to obtain and maintain an active TS/SCI clearance with enhanced security checks

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on RF communication systems, providing technical guidance for test and evaluation activities.
• Conduct independent and detailed satellite communications link budget analysis to predict and validate end-to-end system performance; independently research and estimate relevant performance parameters.
• Analyze RF signal paths and system geometry, with a focus on space vehicle orientation and pointing angles.
• Evaluate the performance of RF communications systems, including components such as satellite ground stations, transponders, and user terminals.
• Model and simulate RF systems and atmospheric effects to forecast performance and support test planning.
• Design and build RF communications systems, associated components and test apparatuses.
• Coordinate directly with customers to exchange data, define clear test requirements, report findings, and ensure system validation meets their needs.
• Travel 10-20%

Skills

RF test engineering

Satellite communications analysis

MATLAB

Excel

Analytical skills

Technical writing

Communication skills

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or related

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or related

High School Diploma with related experience

Tools

C

C++

Python

FPGA

Satellite communications

Job description

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Mission Technologies division, seeks an RF Communications Test Engineer to join our Wright Patterson AFB team in Ohio. The role demands SME leadership for RF test activities, budget analysis, and system evaluation across ground stations, transponders, and user terminals.

The candidate will model RF paths, simulate atmospheric effects, and design test hardware while coordinating with customers to define requirements. A TS/SCI clearance is required; travel is 10-20%.