Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer II

Roman Health Pharmacy LLC; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 134,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

CesiumAstro in the United States is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer to own the design, configuration, and operation of the satellite’s space‑to‑ground links.

You will model, analyze, and maintain the link budget, architect crypto solutions for flight hardware, and collaborate with flight software, ground teams, and RF test teams to ensure reliable command, telemetry and fault recovery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of experience with satellite communications and RF system engineering.
• 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, why, and how to fix them before they break.
• Ability to define and implement communication system CONOPS for nominal and emergency operations.
• Experience with satellite communication link licensing and regulatory compliance (ITU/FCC).

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.

Skills

Spacecraft communications

Link budget analysis

Ground station ops

Crypto architecture

Systems engineering

Education

B.S. Electrical Eng

Tools

Ground station equipment

Space-qualified radios

Antenna testing

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 for these LEO communications satellites and then have the chance to iterate and improve your 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‑ground communication 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 to coordinate 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 testing ground station equipment and space‑qualified radios and antennas
• Practical understanding of how space links fail, why, and how to fix them before they break
• Ability to define and implement communication system CONOPS for nominal and emergency operations
• Experience with satellite communication link licensing and 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.