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Senior Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer II

Open 25d reposted 2×

Summary

Designs and maintains satellite communication systems for space missions, focusing on RF links, encryption, and regulatory compliance to ensure reliable data transmission between spacecraft and ground stations.

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’re looking 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 systems engineering, expertise with both space-based communication payloads and ground terminals, and proven ability 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)
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 to race, 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.

What this application asks

lever

Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, LinkedIn URL

  • As a result of the work performed by CesiumAstro, all eligible candidates must be a U.S. Person or able to obtain an export license. U.S. Persons include U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, conditional residents, asylees, and refugees. Are you a U.S. Person or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State? choose one
  • Do you now or will you in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status? Please select "Yes" if you will require the Company to commence ("sponsor") an immigration or work permit case in order to employ you, either now or at some point in the future. Otherwise select "No". choose one
  • Do you have a family member that is currently employed with CesiumAstro? choose one
  • If yes, please specify the individual(s) and the department or location in which they work: optional
  • Full Legal Name
  • Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. choose one
  • Please select which of the following security clearances and/or access you currently hold. yes / no · optional
  • By submitting your application you hereby certify that the facts set forth in the above employment application are true and complete to the best of your knowledge. I certify that the information on this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and agree to have any of the information verified by CesiumAstro (the “Company”). By my signature below, I authorize any references submitted by me to the Company in support of this application to provide any and all information concerning my previous employment and any other pertinent information that they may have. I understand that I may be required to authorize the Company to obtain a consumer report or investigative consumer report, in accordance with applicable law, which authorization is contained in a separate document. Further, I release the Company and any other parties, agents, or persons from any and all liability or claims arising out of the disclosure or use of references or other information provided to the Company during the process of verifying the statements made in this application. I understand that any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission of information on this application may result in my failure to receive an offer or, if I am hired, will result in my dismissal from employment. Furthermore, if hired, in consideration of my employment I agree to conform to the policies, rules and standards of the Company, including applicable safety rules, and agree that my employment can be terminated “at will” at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, either at my option or at the option of the Company. I understand that no employee or representative of the Company to which I am applying, has the authority to enter into any agreement for employment for any specified period of time, or to enter into any express or implied agreement to the contrary of at-will employment, except for a written agreement signed by me and the Chief Executive Office of the Company. I agree that this shall constitute a final and fully binding integrated agreement regarding the at-will nature of my employment relationship if I am hired. In addition, I understand that, if hired, I may be required as a condition of employment to take and pass drug and alcohol tests during employment to the extent required by policies of the Company consistent with applicable law. I acknowledge that I have personally completed this application, I have read all of the above statements, and understand them and agree to the terms and conditions therein. I confirm that I understand that my application may be subject to security checks under government regulations applicable in the aerospace and defense industry sectors. yes / no · optional
  • I have applied for employment with CesiumAstro, Inc. (the “Company”). In consideration of the Company's accepting and evaluating my application for employment, I hereby agree that I will comply with and be legally bound by the following terms and condition of this Agreement: 1. MAINTAINING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF COMPANY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. I understand that CesiumAstro, Inc. is an innovative company engaged in research and development, and that the Company's innovations and other Proprietary Information (as defined below) provide the Company with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Accordingly, I agree to hold in strictest confidence, and not to disclose or make any use of at any time, any of the Company’s Proprietary Information which I may acquire or learn during my interview(s) or the application process for employment. The term “Proprietary Information” shall mean any and all trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or any other proprietary information pertaining to any business of the Company or any of its customers, vendors, consultants, licensees or affiliates. 2. MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OF FORMER EMPLOYERS OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRED BY ME PRIOR TO MY EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY. I represent and agree that I will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence any third-party proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my application for employment with the Company. I will not improperly use, disclose or bring to the Company, or induce the Company to use, any confidential or proprietary information, documents or materials belonging to any previous employer or third parties. 3. NEW EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTION AGREEMENT. I understand that if I am offered employment by the Company, and as a condition of my new employment, I will be required to enter into an attached New Employee Proprietary Information and Invention Agreement. Prior to any future employment with the Company, I acknowledge the opportunity to consult with legal counsel or other necessary advisors regarding the Agreement. yes / no · optional

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