Ground Systems & Integration Engineer - Mission Operations

Lynk•Chantilly, VA

50d

About The Position

Lynk is seeking a Senior Ground Systems & Integration Engineer to join our Mission Operations team. This hands-on technical role ensures the operational readiness, performance, and evolution of Lynk’s global network of spacecraft communication ground stations — while also supporting the testing, integration, and validation of Lynk’s RF and radio systems used across both ground and space segments. You’ll monitor and troubleshoot ground site infrastructure, execute integration and test campaigns for new ground and radio systems, and contribute to the automation, reliability, and scalability of Lynk’s communications network. This position bridges traditional ground site operations with RF system testing, lab validation, and integration activities in direct collaboration with the Satellite Engineering and Mission Operations teams.

Requirements

Experience in the operation, integration, and troubleshooting of ground station equipment, RF systems, or satellite communication infrastructure.
Technical knowledge of RF and modem systems, including BUCs, LNAs, HPAs, and antenna controllers.
Working knowledge of networking principles and protocols (TCP/IP, MPLS, routing, switching).
Familiarity with RF link budgets and performance metrics.
Experience in system integration and field deployments, including configuration, testing, and validation.
Proficiency in Python, Bash, or Ansible for automation and test scripting.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose complex technical issues.
Excellent communication and documentation skills; capable of writing clear procedures and communicating with cross-functional teams.
ITIL familiarity or experience operating within structured incident/change processes preferred.
Willingness to provide on-call or off-hours support when needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ground station M&C systems (e.g., Kratos Compass, NetVue, or equivalent).
Experience designing or operating RF testbeds or automated test systems.
Familiarity with satellite payload or telecom hardware testing.
Hands-on experience with Linux-based systems and remote site operations.
Understanding of virtualized or cloud-based ground system architectures

Responsibilities

Monitor the health and performance of all operational ground station sites and associated equipment (antennas, RF chains, modems, networking, timing systems).
Respond to and troubleshoot ground station anomalies and alarms, performing diagnostics and implementing corrective actions to restore normal operations.
Utilize ground station M&C tools and software to assess site status, analyze performance data, and execute operational commands.
Develop and maintain operational documentation and runbooks for monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Coordinate and track scheduled maintenance, configuration changes, and upgrades across ground sites.
Provide on-call operational support as part of a rotating schedule.
Support integration and testing of new ground and radio systems (LynkRadio, relay links, and third-party terminals).
Debug RF, modem, and network issues during lab and field testing.
Build and operate testbeds to validate RF system performance and develop automation scripts to improve efficiency.
Conduct end-to-end integration and performance testing of radios, terminals, and ground equipment.
Contribute to link budget analysis and antenna/radio selection and configuration for future missions and deployments.
Provide technical input on antenna and radio selection, configuration, and integration for both ground and flight systems.
Partner with Satellite Operations, RF Engineering, and Software teams to resolve ground segment issues.
Automate monitoring, diagnostics, and test workflows.