Senior Communication Systems Engineer - Spacecraft Verified today

About CesiumAstro

CesiumAstro develops communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We are designing, building, and launching 8 new satellites in the next four years. They are large, highly capable RF payload rideshare SmallSats with launches already secured and in-house test facilities built.

The Role

As Senior 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.

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.
• Demonstrate strong understanding of ground station and network operations with 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.

Required Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field
• Minimum 5 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)
• Extensive practical experience with crypto, including COMSEC plan development, key management, and system troubleshooting
• Understanding of how comms fit into the broader mission, from flight software integration to ground operations

Employment Details

Full-time position based in Westminster, CO. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

Clearance and Eligibility

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.