Senior Space Systems Engineer

SES Space & Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense in Reston, VA, is seeking a Senior RF Communications Engineer to lead design, analysis, and optimization of RF performance across space architectures for mission-critical SATCOM operations.

You will integrate waveforms, modems, antennas, and RF subsystems, collaborate with space, ground, and network teams, and provide testing and readiness assessments to ensure reliability for government and commercial customers.

Qualifications

• BS degree or higher in Engineering; 4+ years related experience; MS/PhD may substitute for two years.
• Experience owning RF subsystem designs, link performance modeling, and related engineering documentation for SATCOM or aerospace systems.
• Experience supporting field operations, terminal integration, or on‑orbit performance assessment environments.
• Delivered RF or waveform based capabilities, such as new modem integrations, link optimization algorithms, or interference‑resilient communications solutions.
• Familiarity with protected communications, cybersecurity‑aware RF architectures, and DoD/national security customer contexts.

Responsibilities

• Own RF design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal‑to‑network RF behavior.
• Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals.
• Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N0 margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability.
• Build and refine high performance RF links for low‑latency LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments.
• Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces.
• Ensure mission critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures.
• Enable technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi‑orbit and multi‑vendor environments.
• Accelerate delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes.
• Involve advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting‑edge LEO and multi‑orbit SATCOM systems.
• Require working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link‑layer networking, and integrated ground infrastructure.

Skills

RF engineering

SATCOM systems

Link budgets

Waveforms

Modems

Antenna systems

Network interfaces

Cybersecurity aware

Troubleshooting

Education

BS in Engineering

MS or PhD substitute for experience

Tools

RF test equipment

Job description

Who We Are

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe.

Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission‑critical communications.

We strive to be the only solution when success is critical and recognize our people as our competitive advantage. At SES Space & Defense, you’ll work alongside a mission‑driven team committed to integrity, honor, and accountability, delivering real‑world impact across today’s most critical missions.

SES Space & Defense is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior RF Communications Engineer, you will lead the design, analysis, and optimization of RF communications performance across SES Space & Defense’s space architectures, assisting in the development of link budgets, modeling RF impairments, and ensuring robust end‑to‑end connectivity for mission critical SATCOM operations. You’ll integrate and assist with testing waveforms, modems, antennas, and RF subsystems. You will solve complex interoperability challenges, support advanced waveform and capability development, and drive enhancements that strengthen resilience, throughput, and reliability. You’ll also collaborate across space, systems, and network engineering teams, support operational missions with RF troubleshooting, and contribute to technical governance, readiness assessments, and system‑level performance decisions.

• Own RF communications design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal‑to‑network RF behavior.
• Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals.
• Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N₀ margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability.
• Build and refine high performance RF links for low‑latency LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments.
• Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces.
• Ensure mission critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures.
• Enable technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi‑orbit and multi‑vendor environments.
• Accelerate delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes.
• Involve advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting‑edge LEO and multi‑orbit SATCOM systems.
• Require working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link‑layer networking, and integrated ground infrastructure.
• Operate at the intersection of cutting‑edge communications technology, real‑world environmental constraints, and demanding mission needs.

Who You Are

We are looking for an experienced RF communications engineer with a strong record of owning and delivering complex SATCOM or aerospace communication systems across space, ground, and network segments. They have successfully developed or integrated advanced waveforms, modems, prototypes, or communications architectures, often under demanding mission constraints, and have supported field tests, rapid capability insertions, or operational demonstrations. Their background includes working with U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers, bringing deep familiarity with protected communications, cybersecurity requirements, interference environments, and tactical networking. They stand out through recognized subject matter expertise in RF or multi‑orbit SATCOM engineering and can translate complex technical challenges into clear, mission‑aligned strategies.

• Scope of ownership and accountability in previous roles.
• Experience owning RF subsystem designs, link performance modeling, and related engineering documentation for SATCOM or aerospace systems.
• Responsible for baseline management of RF requirements, performance verification, and integration readiness.
• Experience supporting field operations, terminal integration, or on‑orbit performance assessment environments.
• Delivered RF or waveform based capabilities, such as new modem integrations, link optimization algorithms, or interference‑resilient communications solutions.
• Supported prototype development, system demonstrations, or rapid capability insertion efforts.
• Contributed to terminal interoperability upgrades or RF enhancements that improved mission performance.
• Experience in SATCOM, RF communications, tactical radios, aerospace systems, or defense networking.
• Past support for U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers conducting mission‑critical communications.
• Familiarity with protected communications, jamming environments, spectrum policy, and cybersecurity‑aware RF architectures.
• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 4 or more years related experience.
• Each higher‑level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education.
• Microwave, radio frequency, and/or optical telecom hardware experience.
• Excellent customer service, accountability, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.
• Solid critical thinking skills that result in effective decision making and priority setting.
• Team building skills with a player/coach mindset.
• Attention to detail that leads to complete, high‑quality engineering products.

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.