Principal RF Ground Systems – Anchor Station Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Act as the primary technical authority for the RF Ground System and anchor station responsible for GEO satellite communications operations.

• Oversee engineering initiatives related to the design, development, integration, and deployment of essential RF ground infrastructure, which includes:

• Large aperture antenna systems

• RF chains and related subsystems

• Frequency conversion equipment

• High-power amplification systems

• Low-noise receive systems

• Modems and waveform processing systems

• Monitoring and control systems

• RF monitoring and spectrum management capabilities

• Create and sustain RF ground segment architecture, requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical baselines.

• Assist the Ground Segment IPT Lead in coordinating technical execution across spacecraft, ground segment, network, cybersecurity, and operational teams.

• Supervise engineering activities that facilitate satellite feeder link connectivity, which includes:

• Link budget development and validation

• RF performance analysis

• Carrier planning

• Spectrum coordination

• Assessments of availability and resiliency

• End-to-end communications performance verification

• Deliver technical leadership for TT&C ground system implementation, covering command path design, telemetry reception, tracking support, and operational interfaces.

• Aid in the development and execution of ground segment integration and testing activities, which encompass:

• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)

• Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)

• RF performance testing

• End-to-end satellite-to-ground testing

• Operational readiness demonstrations

• Direct RF troubleshooting, anomaly resolution, and root cause analysis during integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations.

• Collaborate with satellite manufacturer teams to ensure compatibility between spacecraft RF payload, TT&C systems, and ground infrastructure.

• Assist in the creation of operational procedures, maintenance plans, configuration documentation, and sustainment processes.

• Provide technical oversight regarding anchor station reliability, redundancy, availability, and disaster recovery capabilities.

• Support cybersecurity implementation efforts for RF ground infrastructure, focusing on the protection of command and control pathways.

• Engage in customer technical reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, and program milestone assessments.

• Mentor junior engineers and offer technical guidance across the RF ground engineering team.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, RF Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.

• Over 12 years of experience in satellite communications, RF systems engineering, or ground segment development.

• Proven experience in designing, integrating, testing, or operating satellite RF ground systems.

• Extensive background with GEO satellite communications architectures and the corresponding ground infrastructure.

• Solid understanding of:

• Satellite feeder link architectures

• TT&C systems

• RF link budgets

• Antenna systems

• High-power RF systems

• Modulation and coding techniques

• Spectrum management

• RF interference analysis

• Experience supporting large aperture antenna systems and mission-critical gateway or anchor station operations.

• Familiarity with government or defense satellite communications programs.

• Experience leading technical activities across various engineering disciplines and contractor organizations.

• Capability to develop and articulate complex technical solutions to government clients and senior leadership.

• Active U.S. Secret clearance is required; Top Secret/SCI is preferred.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Retirement plans

• Paid time off

• Flexible work arrangements

• Professional development

• Cybersecurity implementation efforts