Networking Systems Engineer I

The Networking Systems Engineer is responsible for supporting the integration, test, and flight operation of spacecraft networking and communications systems. You will work directly with networking hardware, payload suppliers, test teams, and spacecraft subsystem engineers to make sure networked payloads and communications systems are understood, integrated correctly, tested thoroughly, and ready to fly. The work is hands-on and execution-focused. You will be expected to learn quickly, identify problems early, communicate clearly, and take ownership of assigned technical work.
This is not a network administration role. You will be involved in spacecraft network architecture, payload and bus interfaces, command and telemetry, data routing, hardware integration, functional testing, environmental test support, verification, launch preparation, and on-orbit operations support.

This role will be fully on-site in our Greenwood Village, Colorado office.

Responsibilities

Support integration of networking and communications systems into spacecraft buses
Develop and maintain understanding of assigned hardware, including operating modes, power requirements, command and telemetry interfaces, data paths, timing, network protocols, thermal limits, and fault responses
Review supplier documentation including ICDs, network interface definitions, drawings, test reports, qualification data, acceptance data packages, user manuals, and nonconformance reports
Support definition and tracking of networking requirements, interfaces, verification methods, risks, and open technical issues
Work with payload, electrical, software, mechanical, thermal, flight software, mission operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and test teams to resolve integration issues
Assist with network interface definition, including power, harnessing, grounding, Ethernet or serial interfaces, packet formats, routing, timing, command and telemetry, data rates, and operational constraints
Develop and execute networking test procedures, test scripts, checkouts, and verification activities
Support vehicle-level functional testing, environmental testing, integrated system testing, mission simulations, and end-to-end network testing. Troubleshoot networking, communications, and data-path issues during integration and test and support root-cause investigations
Participate in technical meetings with suppliers and drive assigned actions to closure
Support hardware acceptance reviews and verification of delivered data packages
Maintain accurate technical documentation, test records, interface definitions, network configurations, and engineering status
Support launch-site preparation, commissioning planning, and on-orbit operations as required.

Position Level

This position is intended for an early-career engineer
You will work alongside experienced networking, payload, and software engineers while taking on increasing responsibility for networking hardware, interfaces, testing, and vehicle integration
Success in this role means networking hardware is integrated correctly, data paths and interfaces operate as intended, technical issues are identified early, test results are well documented, and the system is ready to fly on schedule

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, computer science, physics, or another relevant technical discipline
Engineering internship, academic project, laboratory, student spacecraft, networking, communications, embedded systems, robotics, or early-career experience involving complex hardware systems
Ability to understand and work from engineering drawings, requirements documents, interface control documents, network diagrams, test procedures, and technical reports
Basic understanding of networking concepts such as Ethernet, IP networking, routing, switching, packet-based communications, serial interfaces, or data transport
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environment
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage assigned work independently, raise issues early, and follow tasks through completion
Willingness to work full-time in our Greenwood Village, CO office; this position does not support remote or hybrid work.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with spacecraft networking, RF communications, optical communications, tactical data links, satellite communications, or ground-to-space communications systems
Familiarity with Ethernet, TCP/IP, UDP, VLANs, routing, switching, multicast, QoS, MPLS, SNMP, NETCONF, YANG, or other network-management technologies
Experience with hands-on hardware integration, lab testing, environmental testing, manufacturing, or vehicle assembly
Familiarity with requirements management, verification, configuration management, risk tracking, or technical documentation
Experience with CubeSat, launch vehicle, UAV, defense, telecommunications, robotics, automotive, or other high-reliability hardware programs
Experience using Python, MATLAB, Wireshark, packet-analysis tools, network test equipment, test automation tools, or Linux-based development environments
Familiarity with spacecraft command and telemetry, data handling, time synchronization, network security, encryption devices, or mission operations