Director, Satellite Communications Engineering

We are seeking a multi-disciplined, solutions-oriented leader and technical expert on the development and implementation of space communications systems.  The leader will help develop the next generation, relay satellite communication system to support an international set of government and commercial customers with space-based resources.

 

You will be responsible for system architecture elements for the design, deployment, and integration of existing and emerging technologies for the SpaceLink relay network. The initial assignment will be to drive the requirements, solutions development, and deployment of User Terminals (UTs) to be integrated onto client satellites and space systems. These UT’s will provide space-to-space communications with the SpaceLink relay satellites. The position will manage the development, manufacture, test, integration, and support of the UT communications systems. The individual will interface with suppliers of the UT equipment – spaceflight transceivers and antennas, as well as with SpaceLink customers to facilitate integration onto their satellites.

 

As a member of the core team, you will play a critical role and work collaboratively with the team to ensure that the SpaceLink network provides the best possible communications system performance for our customers. We are looking for bold thinkers to provide innovative solutions to realize our vision to provide continuous communications coverage for space systems.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Architect system concepts, develop and evaluate RF system requirements for new or modified satellite communications systems
  • Assess emerging technologies for performance, cost, and technical readiness
  • Define functions, features, performance, and design objectives
  • Prepare conceptual system functional and operational block diagrams
  • Evaluate customer requirements and develop engineering requirements and documentation; develop product roadmaps
  • Perform satellite communications systems design, analyses and simulation, including link budgets
  • Generate and flow down RF and modem system specifications for product development, including gain/loss budgets, noise figure, linearity performance, frequency plans, spurious, power consumption, and control functionality
  • Generate supplier performance specifications and statements of work,
  • Participate in the preparation of bid requests (RFPs) and assessment of proposals
  • Oversee systems to ensure implementation is executed and technical, budget and schedule requirements are met for contracted items, including supplier design and test activities
  • Support subcontractor management and manufacturing to drive the procurements
  • Support prototype development, unit integration and test planning, and qualification
  • Maintain system documentation to accurately reflect the configuration baseline
  • Participate in supplier and customer reviews
  • Support business development activities through assessment of customer requirements and system capabilities, as well as the development of new capabilities and solutions in support of market and customer needs
  • Interact with customers regarding technical and programmatic issues; support spacecraft level testing and in-orbit checkout

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE LEVEL

  • A Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or math and 15 years of experience, or a Master’s degree and 10 years of experience

 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

  • The candidate should have experience in developing and implementing architectures for satellite systems
  • Strong knowledge of microwave RF communications systems design, engineering, integration & test
  • Experience in communications systems definition and analysis, including RF link analyses
  • Experience in design and development of antennas, transceivers, power amplifiers, and associated active and passive components
  • Experience in K/Ka-bands
  • Knowledge and understanding of digital communication systems, including various modulation and error correction coding schemes, single and multi-carrier techniques, and multiple access communication systems and protocols used in today’s satellite industry
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of IP network technologies
  • Experience with satellite link optimization tools and techniques; ability to integrate and optimize space segment design requirements into the end-to-end satellite network
  • Must have exemplary communication and interpersonal skills and be able to interact effectively with customers, management, suppliers, and peers
  • Ability to work with others from engineering and non-engineering disciplines in a fast-paced team environment

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with satellite RF/microwave component/system integration & test
  • Knowledge of Digital Signal Processing techniques and Software Defined Radio (SDR) frameworks and associated standards
  • Experience with microprocessors, FPGAs, and ASICs
  • Experience in analysis, design, and integration of frequency converters, full range of microwave power amplifiers, and linearizers RF circulators, power dividers, and signal modems
  • Experience in modeling RF and channel impairments such as multipath, phase noise, group delay, fading and nonlinear distortion
  • Experience in tools for design, modeling, and analyzing RF systems
  • Experience in Qualification and Acceptance Testing and Antenna Verification Testing
  • Familiarity with NASA, DoD, or other agency systems engineering processes
  • Knowledge of the satellite networks – commercial, NASA Space Network, or DOD networks
  • Experience in emerging technologies including phased array antennas
  • Familiar with satellite- and data-level encryption
  • Experience in IP and serial interfacing theory and applications
  • Experience in creating RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and SOWs
  • Knowledge of non-RF aspects of system design, e.g., thermal management, power supplies, monitor and control, at a level sufficient to make system-level design trades
  • Familiarity with MIL-STDs and experience with qualifying products to such standards
  • Experience with project management, and facility with work breakdown structures, schedules, and tools

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