Communications Systems Engineer, RF (Satellite, Ground Terminals & Military User Equipment)

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer with a strong background in RF systems for satellite, ground terminal, and military user equipment applications to join our team in El Segundo, CA. The ideal candidate will have expertise in conducting detailed link budget analyses, developing complex communication scenarios, and working with both MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM systems. You will play a crucial role in the full lifecycle of communication system development, from requirements definition and technical analysis through design, modeling, validation, and integration. This includes a special focus on the integration and interoperability of military user terminals to ensure robust and reliable performance for mission-critical applications.

The MILSATCOM Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (MSEIT) effort provides leading edge Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) for the Air Force’s Space and Missiles System Center. We support the Air Force’s acquisition of state-of-the-art Military Satellite Communications systems, providing global secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation’s warfighters. We seek technical individuals who will thrive in a highly collaborative work environment of small teams, using the most modern tools and methodologies to tackle the challenges of integrating complex space and ground communications systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Requirements Development & Management: Elicit, analyze, define, and manage technical requirements for satellite communication systems and ground terminals, translating high-level operational needs into detailed, verifiable system specifications. This includes a deep understanding of warfighter needs related to user equipment.
• Technical Analysis & Trade Studies: Conduct comprehensive technical analyses and trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess performance feasibility, and make data-driven recommendations for optimal system solutions, considering constraints imposed by military user terminals.
• RF Systems Design and Analysis: Design and analyze end-to-end RF communication systems, including satellite payloads and ground terminals, to meet mission requirements, with a focus on seamless integration with military user equipment to existing SATCOM solutions.
• Link Budget Analysis: Develop and maintain detailed link budgets for satellite communication links, performing margin assessments and optimizing system performance based on modulation schemes, coding, and environmental factors, with specific consideration for user equipment performance.
• Scenario Modeling: Create and simulate realistic communication scenarios to evaluate system performance under various conditions, including signal impairments, interference, and atmospheric effects, particularly as they impact deployed user terminals.
• MILSATCOM/COMSATCOM Expertise: Apply in-depth knowledge of military and commercial SATCOM systems, including specific constellations (e.g., WGS, AEHF, MUOS) and standards, to develop and integrate solutions, particularly with respect to the user terminal segment.
• Military User Equipment Integration: Analyze and evaluate the performance of various military user terminals (airborne, ground, maritime), ensuring interoperability and compatibility within the overall communication architecture.
• System Integration and Testing: Support the integration, verification, and validation of communication equipment and software. Develop and execute test plans for lab and field evaluations of ground and space components, including specific tests for military user equipment over satellite systems.
• Ground Terminal Support: Provide technical expertise on ground terminal architecture and design, including antennas, RF front-ends, modems, and data processing, ensuring compatibility with the military user terminal ecosystem.
• Architecture Development: Participate in the definition of system architectures and interfaces, ensuring modularity, scalability, and compatibility across system components, from the space layer to the tactical user.
• Anomalies and Troubleshooting: Investigate and resolve system anomalies, performance discrepancies, and technical issues throughout the system lifecycle, often involving user equipment in deployed scenarios.
• Technical Documentation: Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system specifications, test procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and analysis reports.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, mission planners, and military end-users, to deliver integrated system solutions.
  
  

Work Environment

• Location: On-site
• Travel Requirements: Minimal
• Working Hours: Standard
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Clearance: Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience: 12 years of experience in communications systems engineering, with a focus on RF satellite communication systems.
• RF Fundamentals: Strong understanding of RF principles, antenna systems, digital signal processing (DSP), and modulation/demodulation techniques.
• Systems Engineering Principles: Proven experience with the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements definition, decomposition, verification, and validation.
• Technical Analysis Skills: Demonstrated ability to perform complex technical analysis, trade studies, and generate data-driven recommendations.
• Link Budget Tools: Proficiency with link budget and RF simulation and modeling tools, such as STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB, or custom scripts.
• SATCOM Knowledge: Experience with both MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM systems, protocols, and architectures (LEO, MEO, GEO).
  
  

Desired

• Military User Equipment (UE) Experience: Direct experience with military user terminals and ground equipment (e.g., AN/PRC, AN/MRC series, SATCOM On-The-Move systems).
• Terminal Certifications: Familiarity with the certification processes (e.g., Joint Interoperability Test Command – JITC, MIL-STD-188-164C, MIL-STD-188-165B) for military terminals.
• Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading technical efforts or small teams on complex communications projects.
• Clearance: Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Programming: Experience with programming/scripting languages like Python, C , or MATLAB for data analysis and test automation.
• Test Equipment: Hands-on experience with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators.
• Secure Comms: Familiarity with secure and classified communication systems, cryptographic equipment, and Information Assurance (IA) requirements.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Experience with MBSE tools and methodologies.
  
  

Compensation: The pay range for this position in California is $149,000/year to $186,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI's internal or external careers site.

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