Communications and RF Payload Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Communications and RF Payload Systems Engineer in its Defense Systems Group (DSG). The role serves as the primary Aerospace point of contact advising the customer on acquisition of communications and RF payloads across the portfolio of space-based space domain awareness systems. The position works within Space Systems Command’s Space-Based Surveillance & Reconnaissance Branch and leads technical teams through the program life cycle, from requirements and acquisition strategy to on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution.

The engineer evaluates payload and system requirements and technical specifications, supports program office systems engineering and acquisition processes, and assesses risk, schedule, and cost trade-offs. The role also works with the program office Architecture and Integration team on communication architectures and provides expertise in communications systems and components, including transmit/receive subsystems, signal processing, and antennas. Technical problem-solving may involve modeling, simulation, prototyping, and experimental measurement.

The selected candidate must work full-time, on-site at the company’s El Segundo, California facility and be willing to travel domestically approximately 10–15%. The position requires a current Top Secret/SSBI/SCI clearance to interview, with the ability to obtain and maintain additional U.S. government security clearances; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution, or a closely related STEM field.
• At least 6 years of relevant RF engineering experience.
• Ability to translate, tailor, and present complex technical concepts in writing and orally to stakeholders with varying levels of knowledge, including non-specialists.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 10–15%.
• Current Top Secret/SSBI/SCI clearance to interview and ability to obtain and maintain additional security clearances issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• For the Senior Project Engineer level: at least 10 years of experience in roles with progressively increasing responsibility.
• For the Senior Project Engineer level: experience with satellite communication hardware and/or digital or analog waveform processing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience architecting, planning, and leading complex RF and antenna payloads.
• Understanding of RF design principles, signal propagation, and electromagnetic field theory.
• Understanding of optical communications design principles and operations, including free-space optical links, laser terminals, and integration with RF communication architectures.
• Familiarity with wireless communication links, including link budget analysis, RF cascade analysis, modulation techniques, and frequency allocations.
• Familiarity with spectrum management and certification processes.
• Experience with one or more space system development program offices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Aerospace point of contact advising the customer, including government leadership, on acquisition of communications and RF payloads across the branch’s portfolio of space-based space domain awareness systems.
• Lead technical teams, including Engineering and Technology Group subject matter experts, through the program life cycle, from requirements and acquisition strategy through on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution.
• Evaluate and verify payload and system requirements and technical specifications, and assist with program office systems engineering and acquisition processes.
• Assess risk, schedule, and cost mission-assurance trade-offs and identify mitigation options to support responsive, cost-effective delivery of space capabilities.
• Collaborate with the program office Architecture and Integration team to develop and evaluate communication architectures for the branch.
• Provide subject matter expertise in communications systems and components, including receive/transmit subsystems, signal processing components such as converters, amplifiers, and filters, and antenna subsystems.
• Solve technically challenging communications and signals-collection problems using modeling, simulation, prototyping, and experimental measurement techniques.
• Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the government customer.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level