Senior SATCOM Lab Engineer

Mitre Corporation; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE in Bedford, MA seeks a hands-on SATCOM lab specialist to join the Advanced Wireless & SATCOM Department. You will help build, test, and integrate lab systems and translate engineering concepts into working prototypes to support sponsor programs.

The role requires RF/SATCOM experience, ability to read schematics, and on-site work four days a week. U.S. citizenship and a Secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 3 years with a Master’s, or a PhD with relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience supporting engineering, prototyping, electrical, mechanical, or RF activities.
• Experience in SATCOM, RF, electronics, or wireless systems lab environment.
• Knowledge of RF components and electrical/mechanical assembly, test.
• Ability to read drawings, schematics, and specs.
• Experience with RF cabling, connectors, signal paths, measurements.
• Experience with fabrication, soldering, assembly, wiring.
• Troubleshooting across integrated hardware systems.
• Must be able to obtain Secret clearance; U.S. citizen.
• On-site requirement: minimum 4 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain lab-based testbeds and experiments
• Conduct lab and field testing for functionality and compliance
• Research emerging technologies
• Support lab day-to-day operations
• Translate concepts into prototype hardware
• Integrate RF, networking, power, and computers
• Collaborate to analyze and modernize sponsor work programs
• Coordinate with staff to bring in expertise when needed

Skills

SATCOM experience

Lab testing

RF measurements

Engineering drawings

Fabrication/assembly

Troubleshooting

Independent planning

Documentation

Security clearance

On-site presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Master’s degree (preferred)

PhD with relevant experience

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Network analyzers

Soldering tools

3D printing

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

MITRE operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in support of various U.S. Government agencies, including the Department of War, the Intelligence Community, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others. Our sponsors rely on a wide range of wireless communications systems, including commercial radios, cellular technologies, satellite communications, tactical data links, and other mission‑critical systems. We assess, design, analyze, prototype, and test advanced communications technologies to further the public good. As an operator of FFRDCs, MITRE staff are tasked with applying their skills to impact programmatic and technical decisions of highest importance to the nation.

The Advanced Wireless & SATCOM Department, part of MITRE’s Technology and Engineering Infrastructure, Networking, and Communications Division, provides premier communications engineering, wireless networking, SATCOM, spectrum, and technical analysis expertise for our customers at all classification levels. Our teams have expertise in research, design, analysis, modeling and simulation, lab experimentation, field testing, and implementation of networks across a diverse set of communication environments. We are adept at combining research and innovation with practical hands‑on experience to provide risk reduction for our customers.

We seek to expand our department with lab staff capable of performing SATCOM communications tasks. They should have a fundamental understanding of and interest in communications technologies, as well as the desire to further their knowledge in this area.

Roles & Responsibilities

This position combines hands‑on technical work, lab operations, system integration, fabrication, and testing.

• Support building & maintaining lab-based testbeds and proof-of-concept experiments
• Conduct lab and field testing to assess system functionality, performance, and compliance
• Research of emerging technologies
• Support lab day‑to‑day operations
• Translate engineering concepts, requirements, and specifications into prototype hardware
• Support the integration of RF components, networking equipment, power systems, and computers
• Collaborate with MITRE staff in analyzing, modernizing, and advancing sponsor work programs
• If a specific project requires skills or knowledge of technologies with which you are unfamiliar, your responsibilities will also include reaching back to fellow staff across the MITRE corporation to bring their expertise to bear.

Basic Qualifications

• Requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with relevant experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Significant hands‑on experience supporting engineering, prototyping, electrical, mechanical, or RF activities
• Experience working in a SATCOM, RF, communications, electronics, or wireless systems lab environment
• Familiarity with SATCOM equipment: Antennas, modems, RF amplifiers, and associated RF components
• Knowledge of electrical and/or mechanical system assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and testing
• Experience with RF cabling, connectors, signal paths, and basic RF measurements
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and specifications
• Experience using test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, network analyzers, or similar instrumentation
• Experience with fabrication, assembly, soldering, system wiring, and/or mechanical integration
• Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills across integrated hardware systems
• Ability to independently plan and execute technical assignments
• Strong organizational skills and experience maintaining lab equipment, tools, components, and inventory
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week on‑site

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in integrating SATCOM systems with IP networking equipment, and related infrastructure
• Familiarity with relevant SATCOM open standards
• Ability to develop or modify basic software for automation, performing management and control of equipment, and user interfaces
• Experience with 3D printing, machining, rapid prototyping, enclosure fabrication, or other prototype manufacturing techniques
• Familiarity with configuration management, equipment calibration, lab safety, and quality‑control practices
• Experience working with vendors, suppliers, end‑users, and sponsors

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s)

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s)

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$118,000 - $147,500 - $177,000 Annual

Work Location Type

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non‑Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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