SATCOM Systems Engineer — Impact & Flexible Schedule

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

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

KBR in San Diego, CA is seeking a SATCOM Systems Engineer to support architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. The role requires RF engineering, digital communications, and modem development across RF, IF, baseband, and networking layers.

You will analyze modulation schemes, support SoC/FPGA-based modem implementations, define requirements, and assist with lab and field testing. A DoD SECRET clearance is required.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications system development.
• Experience with modem, waveform, or RF subsystem design or integration.
• Experience with system-level testing and DoD/defense programs.
• Knowledge of RF principles and digital communications theory.
• 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

Link budget analysis

MATLAB

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

SoC/FPGA

Job description

KBR in San Diego, CA is seeking a SATCOM Systems Engineer to support architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. The role requires RF engineering, digital communications, and modem development across RF, IF, baseband, and networking layers.

You will analyze modulation schemes, support SoC/FPGA-based modem implementations, define requirements, and assist with lab and field testing. A DoD SECRET clearance is required.