Senior SATCOM Systems Architect & Modem Lead

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a senior SATCOM systems engineer to support architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced SATCOM systems. You will define modem/RF subsystem architectures, assess modulation schemes, and evaluate access techniques for secure, high-performance communications.

Ideal candidate holds an MS in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years in defense programs, strong RF and digital communications knowledge, and active DoD SECRET/Top Secret clearances.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in communications system development.
• Hands-on modem/ RF subsystem design experience.
• DoD or defense program experience.
• Strong RF engineering foundations.
• Digital communications theory knowledge.
• Experience with ModCod and adaptive coding.
• MILSATCOM or SATCOM systems experience.
• Active DoD SECRET Clearance
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

• Support architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems.
• Analyze and define modem and RF subsystem architectures for SATCOM systems.
• Evaluate modulation and coding schemes under operational link conditions.
• Assess and support implementation of multiple access techniques.
• Develop and review link budgets, spectral efficiency analyses, and interference mitigation strategies.
• Support 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 testing of modem and terminal subsystems in laboratory and field environments.
• Identify technical risks and performance trades across waveform, RF, and network layers.
• Serve as subject matter expert for SATCOM systems and technologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and support technical development of project teams.
• Lead technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer readiness reviews.
• Interface directly with customers, government stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors.

Skills

Satellite communications architecture

RF engineering principles

Modem design & integration

Link budget analysis

Digital communications theory

ModCod strategies

Multiple access techniques

FPGA/SoC modem architectures

DSP in C/C++

System-level testing

Mentoring

Customer interface

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering (Communications/RF/Signal Processing)

Tools

MATLAB

HDL

C/C++

SoC Architectures

FPGA

Job description

Jobtailor is seeking a senior SATCOM systems engineer to support architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced SATCOM systems. You will define modem/RF subsystem architectures, assess modulation schemes, and evaluate access techniques for secure, high-performance communications.

Ideal candidate holds an MS in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years in defense programs, strong RF and digital communications knowledge, and active DoD SECRET/Top Secret clearances.