Senior SATCOM Systems Engineer

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

• Support the 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

Requirements

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications system development
• Hands-on experience supporting modem, waveform, or RF subsystem design or integration
• Experience supporting integration and system-level testing
• Experience working in DoD or defense communications programs
• Strong foundation in RF engineering principles including non-linear effects, phase noise, filtering, frequency planning, and interference analysis
• Deep understanding of digital communications theory including modulation, coding, synchronization, and detection
• Experience evaluating or implementing ModCod strategies and adaptive coding and modulation
• Experience with multiple access schemes
• Experience performing link budget analysis and system performance modeling
• Experience with FPGA or SoC-based modem architectures
• Experience with modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB or equivalent
• Ability to translate waveform and RF performance analysis into actionable system requirements
• Active DoD SECRET clearance
• MS in Electrical Engineering (Communications, RF, or Signal Processing concentration preferred)
• Experience with MILSATCOM (WGS, AEHF, MUOS) or Commercial SATCOM systems
• Experience with protected waveforms and secure modem architectures
• Experience reviewing or contributing to DSP implementations in C/C++ or HDL
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in satellite communications systems architecture, RF engineering principles, and modem design, with a strong focus on system integration and performance analysis. Capable of mentoring teams and leading technical reviews while interfacing with various stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Satellite Communications Systems Architecture
• RF Engineering Principles
• Modem Design and Integration
• Link Budget Analysis
• DoD SECRET Clearance

Hard Skills

• Modulation and Coding Schemes
• Multiple Access Techniques
• FPGA-Based Modem Architectures
• Digital Communications Theory
• Interference Mitigation Strategies
• System-Level Testing
• Link Budget Analysis
• DSP Implementations in C/C++
• Modeling/Simulation Tools
• Waveform Performance Analysis

Soft Skills

• Mentoring Junior Engineers
• Technical Development Support
• Customer Interface

Certifications & Qualifications

• Active DoD SECRET Clearance
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance

  Industry Keywords

  • DoD Communications Programs
  • MILSATCOM
  • Commercial SATCOM Systems
  • Protected Waveforms
  • Secure Modem Architectures

  Tools & Technologies

  • MATLAB
  • SoC Architectures
  • DSP
  • RF Subsystem Design