Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer II

CesiumAstro; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 134,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

CesiumAstro is actively seeking a Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer to own the design, configuration, and operation of space-to-ground links. You will define how the satellite communicates with the ground in nominal and off-nominal conditions, ensuring reliable command, telemetry, and fault recovery.

The ideal candidate has strong systems engineering background with space-based payloads and ground terminals, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in satellite communications and RF systems.
• Experience in design, verification, and operation of satellite communication links.
• Strong understanding of link budget analysis, modulation schemes and ground station interfaces.
• Hands-on experience configuring and testing ground station equipment and space-qualified radios and antennas.
• Practical understanding of how space links fail and how to fix them.

Responsibilities

• Model, analyze and maintain the satellite’s link budget, modulation and coding for reliable space-to-ground communications.
• Architect crypto solutions for flight hardware and endpoints; manage pass-throughs.
• Troubleshoot ground station networks with providers and on-site terminals.
• Define radios usage across mission phases, including contingency operations and emergency recovery.
• Contribute to RF link test campaigns and validate end-to-end performance.
• Optimize low-SWaP communications and ensure robust, fail-safe links.

Job description

_ Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State._

At CesiumAstro , we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are designing, building, and launching 8 new satellites in the next four years. They are BIG and super capable RF payload rideshare SmallSats. Our launches are already secured. Our in-house test facilities are built. If you want to own critical communications forthese LEO communications satellitesand then have the chance to iterate and improveyour design at a rapidly growing tech company, this is your chance.

We’relooking for builders, problem-solvers, and system thinkers.As a Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer ,you will own the design, configuration, and operation of the satellite’s space-to-groundcommunication links. You will define how the satellite communicates with the ground in both nominal and off-nominal conditions, ensuring reliable command, telemetry, and fault recovery.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systemsengineering,expertisewith both space-based communication payloads and ground terminals, andprovenability tocoordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Model, analyze and maintain the satellite’s link budget, modulation and coding, ensuring reliable communications from space to ground for all RF links.
• Architect hardware-based crypto solutions for flight hardware, manage pass-throughs and end points for users and operations.
• Strong understanding of ground station and network operations with the ability to troubleshoot issues with commercial providers and on-site terminals.
• Define how the radios are used in different mission phases, including contingency operations and emergency recovery.
• Contribute to the RF link test campaign and work with flight software and ground teams to validate end-to-end communication link performance, from antenna to command center.
• Optimize low-SWaP communications, mitigate interference, and ensure robust, fail-safe links.

WHAT A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE LOOKS LIKE

• You understand how to design, analyze, and operate spaceborne communication links.
• You can balance power, bandwidth, protocols and noise to ensure reliable space-to-ground connectivity. You can answer “what’s the link budget” with thorough analysis, EbN0, EsN0, or effective data rate given a variety of conditions.
• Extensive and practical experience with crypto—From COMSEC plan development, key management to system trouble shooting you have applied, on the ground experience.
• You know how comms fit into the broader mission, from flight software integration to ground operations
• You are comfortable identifying problems and using your expertise to find solutions.
• You can prototype, test, and iterate quickly, focusing on what’s needed to get a mission off the ground.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field
• A minimum of 6 years of experience with emphasis on satellite communications, RF system engineering, or related fields
• Experience in design, verification, and operation of satellite communication links
• Strong understanding of link budget analysis, modulation schemes and ground station interfaces
• Hands‑on experience configuring and testingground station equipment andspace-qualified radiosandantennas
• Practical understanding of how space links fail, why, and how to fix thembefore they break
• Ability to define and implementcommunication systemCONOPS for nominal and emergency operations
• Experience withsatellite communication linklicensingand regulatory compliance (ITU/FCC)

$134,000 - $161,000 a year

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.