RF Communication Engineer II - Blue National Security (Top Secret Clearance required) Verified today

About This Role

This position is part of Blue National Security, focused on designing, developing, and delivering launch and spacecraft systems for national security missions. You will join the In-Space Systems business unit and RF Communications team, working on Blue Ring, a hybrid solar-electric and chemical-propelled spacecraft platform.

As an RF Communication Engineer II, you will have end-to-end ownership of next-generation spacecraft RF and optical communication systems. Your work spans the full lifecycle: analysis and design through manufacturing, test, and on-orbit operations. Your fingerprints will be on specifications, procurement, assembly, integration and test (AI&T), and mission support.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end system performance, including link budget, phase noise, coverage analyses, and requirements verification across all phases of flight
• Design and execute RF test campaigns spanning bench, integrated systems, and field environments to validate hardware against specifications and ensure full interoperability
• Drive procurement support from supplier vetting and selection through ongoing management, ensuring hardware meets rigorous mission requirements
• Maintain system architecture, including sizing, requirements derivation, and performance parameters for next-generation communications solutions
• Coordinate critical interfaces across space relay platforms, ground stations, and internal Command & Data Handling (C&DH) and payload subsystems to ensure seamless end-to-end connectivity
• Own configuration control and documentation, maintaining detailed functional and logical diagrams, asset inventories, and procedures
• Support hardware integration labs, vehicle testing, peer reviews, and sit on-console during Launch and Early Operations

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical subject area
• At least 2+ years of experience in avionics and communication systems development and verification
• Knowledge of communication systems for system design, radios, antennas, RF components, and waveforms
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
• Top Secret clearance required to start

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical subject area
• Experience performing satellite link budget simulations using mission design tools such as ANSYS Systems Tool Kit (STK)
• 3+ years of experience with SATCOM, microwave line-of-sight (LOS), or other RF communications systems
• Experience performing electromagnetic (EM) simulations using tools like HFSS, CST, or TICRA to optimize antenna performance and coverage
• Knowledge of RF circuit design, layout, fabrication, and testing
• Proficiency in waveform design, algorithms development (including Matlab/Simulink simulations), or networking
• Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance desired
• Experience with software tools such as DOORS Next Generation, Cameo, Confluence, JIRA, Git, Creo, and Windchill

Compensation and Benefits

Base Pay Range:

• Colorado applicants: $98,208.00 to $137,491.20 per year
• Washington applicants: $107,136.00 to $149,990.40 per year
• 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%, Education Support Program, stock options (for regular employees working at least 20 hours/week), paid time off up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Additional Information

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 30% of the time
• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until requisition closes