RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking

Barrios Technology; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an RF Systems Engineer to join their team in Houston, Texas. This role is crucial for supporting NASA's lunar missions through the development of RF communication systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong engineering background, particularly in RF communications, and will collaborate with a diverse team to tackle exciting challenges in space exploration. If you are passionate about human space exploration and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity offers the chance to contribute to groundbreaking projects that inspire globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 2-5 years of experience required.
• Strong RF communication analytical skills and knowledge of digital modulation.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF communication subsystem Interface Requirements Documents and Verification Requirements.
• Perform RF interference & compatibility analysis for space-based communication systems.

Skills

RF communication analytical skills

Digital modulation

Signal detection

Programming in C/C++

Programming in Python

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Excel

Job description

RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking

Join to apply for the RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking role at Barrios Technology.

Our long-term client relationship with Jacobs has led to a need for an RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking on the Amentum contract at Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX).

Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a diverse team? If yes, we need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire globally. Bring your creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems for space exploration while benefiting Earth. Join us as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s deep space exploration pursuits. As NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working across U.S. centers, we offer an exciting opportunity for an RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking.

Building on over four decades of providing innovative solutions for space programs, Barrios offers engineering, software, and technology integration services supporting the aerospace community. As a woman-owned small business, we focus on professional development and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Our employees actively support the commercial spaceflight industry through partnerships and successful NASA collaborations, supporting missions from the International Space Station to future lunar missions via Orion, Gateway, and the Space Launch System.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an RF Systems Engineer for the Communication and Tracking sub-systems of the Gateway and Exploration programs, critical for lunar missions.
• Develop Radio Frequency communication subsystem Interface Requirements Documents (IRD), Verification Requirements (VRs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for spacecrafts. Review IRDs, ICDs, and component-level requirements (Transponders, Transceivers, baseband processors).
• Review link and network layer protocols based on CCSDS recommendations.
• Determine RF communication link performance, create link budgets using analysis and simulations.
• Participate in Systems Requirements Reviews (SRR), Design Reviews, and Technical Interchange Meetings.
• Perform RF interference & compatibility analysis, Power Flux Density analysis, and spectral analysis for space-based communication systems.
• Support NASA RF communication subsystem management with reviews, meetings, and act as technical Point of Contact.
• Represent JSC and coordinate with other NASA centers, federal agencies, and commercial partners.
• Conduct analysis using software such as MATLAB, Simulink, and Excel.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited school plus 2-5 years of direct engineering experience.
• Or, Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of experience.
• Or, Bachelor's degree plus 15 years of experience.
• College-level RF Communications coursework completed.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong RF communication analytical skills.
• Knowledge of digital modulation, demodulation, encoding/decoding, spread spectrum, signal detection, data formatting, and packetizing.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, team-oriented.
• Experience with NASA processes, antennas, RF propagation, network protocols, CCSDS standards, Pseudo noise Ranging, error correction (LDPC), radiometric calculations, Orbital Dynamics, programming in C/C++ and Python.

Essential Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, successful background check.
• Compliance with drug testing policies.
• Ability to sit for extended periods, lift up to 25 lbs., and mobility to enter test areas.
• Work may involve outside or inside environments, regular attendance, and schedule flexibility.
• Teamwork, professionalism, appropriate grooming, and ability to travel as needed.

Apply now for this exciting opportunity! Barrios Technology is a drug-free workplace and an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.