Systems Engineer – Communications Architecture

Nokia; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Nokia is seeking a talented Systems Engineer to join their Aerospace Communications Engineering team in Plano, Texas. In this role, you will develop and support communication architectures, ensuring seamless integration across spacecraft and ground systems.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 3-5 years of experience. Skills in communications analysis and a passion for space exploration are essential, along with strong analytical abilities and teamwork.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of engineering experience in aerospace or telecommunications.
• Solid understanding of communication theory and RF fundamentals.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP protocols and routing/switching.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end communication system architectures.
• Create architectural models for spacecraft communications.
• Analyze mission objectives to derive system-level requirements.

Skills

Aerospace, Electrical, or Telecommunications Engineering

System design

Requirements development

Communications analysis

Communication theory

Networking principles

Wireless technologies (LTE, 5G NR)

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering field

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a talented Systems Engineer to join our Aerospace Communications Engineering team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in developing end-to-end communication architectures, ensuring seamless integration across spacecraft, relay nodes, ground systems, and user terminals. Your expertise will contribute to translating mission concepts into tangible system requirements, evaluating architectural trade-offs, and driving the design and validation of cutting-edge communication systems for cis‑lunar, deep‑space, and terrestrial networks.

How You Will Contribute And What You Will Learn

• Support the development of end-to-end communication system architectures, spanning space and terrestrial networks.
• Create architectural models for spacecraft communications, relay networks, ground systems, and user terminals.
• Define system decomposition, subsystem boundaries, and function allocation across various elements.
• Develop architecture views, operational concepts, mission scenarios, and technical roadmaps.
• Participate in system-level design activities, including communications payloads and mission operations.
• Analyze mission objectives to derive system-level requirements and maintain traceability.
• Perform communications system analysis, including link budget, coverage, and network capacity planning.
• Conduct architectural trade studies and evaluate SWaP‑C trade-offs against mission objectives.
• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for seamless integration.
• Create and maintain system architecture documentation, specifications, and technical reports.

Key Skills And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, or Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering.
• 3-5 years of engineering experience in aerospace, telecommunications, or related fields.
• Experience in system design, requirements development, communications analysis, or architecture.
• Solid understanding of communication theory, digital modulation, channel coding, and RF fundamentals.
• Familiarity with networking principles, TCP/IP protocols, routing, switching, and mesh networking.
• Knowledge of wireless technologies, LTE, 5G NR, Wi‑Fi, and satellite communications.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent communication abilities.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex technical solutions.
• Passion for space exploration and a desire to grow into system architecture leadership roles.