RF Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Communications

3M Consultancy; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology consulting firm is seeking an RF Systems Engineer in Chantilly to design and refine spacecraft communication systems. The role involves selecting RF components, conducting simulations, and building/testing communication payloads. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, hands-on experience with RF technologies, and programming skills in languages such as Python and C++. A collaborative mindset and the ability to work in dynamic environments are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant engineering field is required.
• Hands-on experience with communications technology is crucial.
• Familiarity with satellite systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine spacecraft communication systems.
• Select radios and antennas that meet system needs.
• Build and test communication payloads in the lab and in orbit.

Skills

Hands-on experience with radios

Programming skills in Python, C++, C, MATLAB

Familiarity with space hardware projects

Comfortable with networking and comms protocols

Experience working in Linux environments

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Software-defined radios (SDRs)

RF lab tools

Job description

RF Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Communications

Chantilly, United States | Posted on 06/11/2025

We’re looking for a passionate and hands-on engineer to help build the communications backbone of our satellite systems. As a Satellite Communications Systems Engineer, you'll work across radio frequencies, electronics, and software to design, test, and integrate advanced space-based communication systems.

This isn’t your typical engineering desk job—you’ll be deep in the lab testing antennas, tuning radios, running link budgets, and occasionally grabbing a soldering iron or configuring a spectrum analyzer. You’ll get to touch nearly every part of the spacecraft communications stack, from early design to launch readiness.

If you love solving unconventional problems, enjoy variety in your day-to-day work, and thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative environment—this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Help design and refine spacecraft communications systems, including inter-satellite links and direct-to-ground radios
• Select radios, antennas, and RF components that meet system needs
• Define and support operations concepts for both spacecraft and ground stations
• Evaluate ground station options and configure setups that align with mission goals
• Build and test communications payloads both in the lab and in orbit
• Work with systems engineers to feed real-world performance into broader network design
• Run simulations, link budgets, traffic analysis, and RF system dimensioning
• Plan antenna layout and placement on spacecraft hardware
• Support integration, testing, and launch handover for comms systems
• Maintain clear documentation throughout the development cycle

What You Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with radios, antennas, and SDRs (software-defined radios)
• Familiarity with space hardware projects or satellite systems is a big plus
• Programming skills in one or more of: Python, C++, C, MATLAB
• Experience working in Linux environments
• Comfortable with networking and comms protocols (e.g., CCSDS, TCP/IP, Ethernet)
• Bonus: experience with microcontrollers, hardware debugging, and RF lab tools
• A collaborative mindset, flexibility to pivot when needed, and the initiative to own your work from concept to deployment