Satellite Communications Engineer

Leidos Inc; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 131,300 - 237,350; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

Leidos Inc. seeks a communications engineer to support national security SATCOM operations. You will research, develop innovative solutions, analyze systems, and enable secure data, voice, or video transmissions.

Responsibilities include field testing, documentation, and collaboration with government and contractor teams to ensure mission success. An active TS/SCI with polygraph is required; sponsorship is not offered.

Qualifications

• bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of satellite communications engineering experience, preferably in defense/intelligence.
• Lead R&D of satellite comm technologies for national security.
• Perform system-level analysis, link budgets, and simulations to optimize performance.
• Integrate SATCOM with ground stations, mobile platforms, and defense assets.
• Prepare technical documentation and compliance records.
• Active TS/SCI with polygraph required; no sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and develop innovative SATCOM solutions for national security.
• Analyze advanced satellite systems and enable design, development, and integration.
• Perform field testing, validation, and deployment of SATCOM hardware/software.
• Provide technical briefings and training to stakeholders and end-users.
• Collaborate with government and contractor teams to ensure mission success.

Skills

Satellite engineering

Link budget calculations

System analysis

RF/microwave design

Team collaboration

Technical briefings

Field testing

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Master's degree (desired)

Tools

Defense/DoD acquisition knowledge

Job description

Description

We're seeking a communications engineer to support mission-critical communications for national security and intelligence operations. You will conduct research, develop innovative solutions, and analyze advanced satellite communication systems to enable design, development, and integration for secure, reliable data, voice, or video transmissions.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• At least 12 or more years of experience in satellite communications engineering, preferably supporting defense or intelligence programs.
• Lead research and development of novel satellite communication technologies for national security applications.
• Perform system‑level analysis, link budget calculations, and simulations to optimize performance under operational constraints.
• Integrate satellite communications with ground stations, mobile platforms, and other defense assets.
• Analyze and resolve technical issues in deployed systems, including RF interference and encryption challenges.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including government and contractor personnel, to ensure mission success.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, system architectures, and compliance records.
• Support field testing, validation, and operational deployment of satellite communications hardware and software.
• Provide technical briefings and training to stakeholders and end‑users.
• An active TS/SCI with a polygraph security clearance is required to be considered for this position. This position does not offer clearance sponsorship.

Desired Experience

• Master's degree in electrical engineering, satellite communications, or related discipline.
• Expertise in RF and microwave system design, signal processing, and satellite network engineering.
• Experience in investigating and documenting existing system architectures for defense platforms.
• Subject matter expertise in advanced system concepts related to aerospace, spacecraft, or military communications.
• Experience with DoD acquisition processes and documentation.

Pay Range

$131,300.00 - $237,350.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.