SATCOM Systems Engineer

KBR, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR’s SATCOM Systems Engineer role focuses on architecture, analysis, integration, and oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. You will work across RF, IF, baseband, and networking layers to evaluate modems and terminal architectures and carry out link budgets and performance modeling.

The position requires 5+ years of hands-on experience in communications and RF engineering, with DoD program exposure and active SECRET clearance.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications system development.
• Experience supporting modem, waveform, or RF subsystem design or integration.
• Experience supporting integration and system-level testing.
• Experience working in DoD or defense communications programs.
• Knowledge of RF engineering principles including non-linear effects, phase noise, filtering, frequency planning, and interference analysis.
• Understanding of digital communications theory including modulation, coding, synchronization, and detection.
• Experience evaluating or implementing ModCod strategies and adaptive coding and modulation.
• Experience with multiple access schemes.
• Experience performing link budget analysis and system performance modeling.
• Experience with modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB or equivalent.
• Ability to translate waveform and RF performance analysis into actionable system requirements.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and define modem and RF subsystem architectures for SATCOM systems.
• Evaluate modulation and coding schemes (QPSK, 8PSK, APSK variants, LDPC, Turbo, etc.) under operational link conditions.
• Assess and support implementation of multiple access techniques.
• Develop and review link budgets, spectral efficiency analysis, and interference mitigation strategies.
• Support System-on-Chip (SoC) or FPGA-based modem implementations and hardware/software partitioning decisions.
• Define system and interface requirements across RF, IF, baseband, and Layer 2 interfaces.
• Support integration and test of modem and terminal subsystems in laboratory and field environments.
• Identify technical risks and performance trades across waveform, RF, and network layers.

Skills

RF engineering

Digital communications

Modem development

SoC/FPGA

Link budgets

Interference analysis

MATLAB

System-level testing

ModCod strategies

Multiple access

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MATLAB

Job description

SATCOM Systems Engineer

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR!

Why Join Us?

Innovative Projects:

KBR’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

Collaborative Environment:

Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

Impactful Work:

Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

The Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Systems Engineer will support the architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. The role requires technical knowledge in RF engineering, digital communications, and modem development. The engineer will work across RF, IF, baseband, and networking layers to evaluate and develop modem and terminal architectures for satellite communications systems. Responsibilities include analysis of modulation and coding performance, multiple access techniques, waveform optimization, and integration of SoC/FPGA-based communications subsystems.

• Analyze and define modem and RF subsystem architectures for SATCOM systems
• Evaluate modulation and coding schemes (QPSK, 8PSK, APSK variants, LDPC, Turbo, etc.) under operational link conditions
• Assess and support implementation of multiple access techniques
• Develop and review link budgets, spectral efficiency analysis, and interference mitigation strategies
• Support System-on-Chip (SoC) or FPGA-based modem implementations and hardware/software partitioning decisions
• Define system and interface requirements across RF, IF, baseband, and Layer 2 interfaces
• Support integration and test of modem and terminal subsystems in laboratory and field environments
• Identify technical risks and performance trades across waveform, RF, and network layers.

Required Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications system development
• Experience supporting modem, waveform, or RF subsystem design or integration
• Experience supporting integration and system-level testing
• Experience working in DoD or defense communications programs
• Knowledge of RF engineering principles including non-linear effects, phase noise, filtering, frequency planning, and interference analysis
• Understanding of digital communications theory including modulation, coding, synchronization, and detection
• Experience evaluating or implementing ModCod strategies and adaptive coding and modulation
• Experience with multiple access schemes
• Experience performing link budget analysis and system performance modeling
• Experience with modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB or equivalent
• Ability to translate waveform and RF performance analysis into actionable system requirements
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Desired Qualifications:

• MS in Electrical Engineering (Communications, RF, or Signal Processing concentration preferred)
• Experience with MILSATCOM (WGS, AEHF, MUOS) or Commercial SATCOM systems
• Experience with protected waveforms and secure modem architectures
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Basic Compensation: $125-135k

The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

Additional Compensation:

KBR may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short term incentives, long term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re excited about making a significant impact in the field of space defense and working on projects that matter, we encourage you to apply and join our team at KBR. Let’s shape the future together.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.