Satellite Systems Engineer

Leidos; United States; Remote; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a senior Satellite Communications Engineer for the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) with NSF. The role requires hands-on maintenance of satellite terminals, deployment to Antarctica for 4 to 16 weeks, and close collaboration with field teams to ensure uninterrupted scientific data flow.

You will analyze system health metrics, develop lifecycle replacement plans, and mentor seasonal engineers while navigating remote operations and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years experience or Master's with 6+ years.
• Knowledge of satellite communications systems architecture, capabilities, and standards.
• Experience with satellite terminal operations and maintenance.
• Experience in satellite system design including drawings, system overviews, sustainment and decommissioning plans.
• Ability to troubleshoot satellite systems issues, both in person and remotely.
• Proficiency with satellite system related test equipment and test procedures.
• Ability to provide remote support to on-station satellite engineering, network, and system administrator staff.
• Experience creating, updating, and coordinating maintenance procedures and maintenance log documentation.
• Ability to create and analyze link budgets.
• Knowledge of and experience applying safety standards.
• Experience working within a highly matrixed, cross-functional team environment.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to deploy to Antarctica.

Responsibilities

• Annually deploy to Antarctica for 4–16 weeks.
• Maintain satellite earth terminal hardware, software, and related systems.
• Capture and analyze maintenance and system health metrics.
• Advise and advocate for timely system lifecycle replacements, upgrades, and decommissioning.
• Provide training and support to deployed seasonal Satellite Engineers.
• Manage satellite scheduling to meet mission requirements.
• Advise leadership on system risks and opportunities.

Skills

Satellite communications

Terminal operations

System design

Troubleshooting

Remote support

Maintenance procedures

Link budgets

Safety standards

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication skills

Antarctic deployment

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree

Tools

ANSYS Systems Toolkit

Microsoft Office Suite (Visio)

DataPath MaxView

Job description

About the Antarctic Support Contract

Leidos Antarctic Support Contract (ASC) is the prime contractor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Leidos supports the NSF’s Office of Polar Program’s Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics by aligning with their Mission and Vision Statements: Vision: Expanding our scientific reach in Antarctica through increased operational and logistical effectiveness. Mission: To provide the operational and logistical platform necessary for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

Leidos ASC provides science and logistics support for approximately 150 science and technical events across three geographically remote research stations; McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and South Pole Station and several deep field sites across Antarctica. Each station or field site supports world class research across multiple science disciplines. The planning and implementation of science support requirements in Antarctica is a critical part of our mission.

To learn more about the Leidos Antarctic Support contract, click here.

Primary Responsibilities

• Annually deploy to Antarctica for a period of 4 to 16 weeks, as needed
• Maintain satellite earth terminal hardware, software, and related systems
• Capture and analyze maintenance and system health metrics
• Advise and advocate for timely system lifecycle replacements, upgrades, and decommissioning
• Provide training and support to deployed seasonal Satellite Engineers
• Manage satellite scheduling to meet mission requirements
• Advise leadership on system risks and opportunities

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience, or a Masters degree and 6+ years of experience.
• Additional experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Knowledge of satellite communications systems architecture, capabilities, and standards.
• Experience with satellite terminal operations and maintenance.
• Experience in satellite system design to include creating drawings, system overviews, sustainment plans, and decommissioning plans.
• Ability to troubleshoot satellite systems issues, both in person and remotely.
• Proficiency with satellite system related test equipment and test procedures.
• Ability to provide remote support to on-station satellite engineering, network, and system administrator staff.
• Experience creating, updating, and coordinating maintenance procedures and maintenance log documentation.
• Ability to create and analyze link budgets.
• Knowledge of and experience applying safety standards.
• Experience working within a highly matrixed, cross-functional team environment.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to deploy to Antarctica.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with satellite down-time scheduling and user notification processes
• Experience working with third-party subcontracted support entities
• Proficient in use of Ansys Systems Tool Kit
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite resources to include Visio
• Experience working with Project Managers
• Programming and software modification proficiency
• Experience with Satellite Access Request (SAR) scheduling
• ARSTRAT certification process familiarity
• Familiarity with DataPath products such as MaxView

*Please be advised that during the interview, you will be required to keep your camera on, and your interviewer will be taking your picture for identification purposes if an offer letter is extended to you.

*This position is eligible for deployment to Antarctica.

*Per contract and National Science Foundation requirements, candidates must not have been disciplined for, or separated from an employer prior to discipline for, incidents of stalking, sexual assault, or sexual harassment within the past three (3) years.

Eligibility for deployment is also subject to further review, including background investigation and security screening, and NSF retains final authority over deployment eligibility given the sensitive and remote nature of the location.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00 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 (but are not limited to) 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

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.