Principal RF Communications Engineer Verified today

About the Role

This position is part of Blue National Security (BNS), designing and delivering launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. As Principal RF Communications Engineer, you will have end-to-end ownership of next-generation spacecraft RF and optical communication systems across the full subsystem lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for RF communications systems: mentor junior engineers, review technical products, chair reviews, and author systems documentation
• Architect and deploy mission-critical RF communications systems from concept through mission operations, enabling real-time telemetry, video, and data flows for spacecraft operations
• Own end-to-end system performance including link budget, phase noise, coverage analyses, and requirements verification across all flight phases
• Design and execute RF test campaigns spanning bench, integrated systems, and field environments to validate hardware against specifications
• Drive procurement strategy from supplier vetting through ongoing management to ensure hardware meets mission requirements
• Define and maintain system architecture including sizing, requirements derivation, and performance parameters for next-generation communications
• Coordinate critical interfaces across space relay platforms, ground stations, and internal command and data handling and payload subsystems
• Own configuration control and documentation, maintaining functional and logical diagrams, asset inventories, and procedures
• Support hardware integration labs, vehicle testing, peer reviews, and launch and early operations console support

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical subject area
• Minimum 15 years of experience in avionics and communication systems development and verification
• Knowledge of communication systems for system design, radios, antennas, RF components, and waveforms
• Experience performing electromagnetic simulations using tools such as HFSS, CST, or TICRA to optimize antenna performance and coverage
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Demonstrated leadership of technical teams with emphasis on mentoring junior engineers
• U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications

• 20 or more years of experience with M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or related technical subject area
• Active Top Secret security clearance
• Experience performing satellite link budget simulations using mission design tools such as ANSYS Systems Tool Kit (STK)
• Minimum 10 years of experience with SATCOM, microwave line-of-sight, or other RF communications systems
• Knowledge of RF circuit design, layout, fabrication, and testing
• Proficiency in waveform design, algorithms development (including MATLAB/Simulink simulations), or networking
• Experience with software tools such as DOORS Next Generation, Cameo, Confluence, JIRA, Git, Creo, and Windchill

Compensation and Benefits

Base pay range for Colorado applicants: $173,466.00 to $242,851.35 annually. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and education support program. Stock options available for regular employees working at least 20 hours per week. Paid time off up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Additional Information

• Relocation provided
• Top Secret clearance desired
• Travel expected up to 25% of the time