Principal Narrowband Communication Systems Engineer II

CesiumAstro • Westminster, CO

112d • $190,000 - $230,000

About The Position

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team. We are building, iterating, and getting to space—fast. Our team thrives on action. We leverage deep experience in the space industry with engineering reimagined for speed and agility. We design, test, and deploy real systems that fly. If you want to own critical communications for a satellite mission, keep reading. We’re looking for builders, problem-solvers, and system thinkers. As a Principal Narrowband Communication Systems Engineer II, you will own the design, configuration, and operation of the satellite’s space-to-ground TT&C systems. You will define how the satellite communicates with the ground in both nominal and off-nominal conditions, ensuring reliable command, telemetry, and fault recovery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 11 years of experience with emphasis on satellite communications, RF system engineering, or related fields.
• Expertise in design and operation of TT&C, S-band, and narrowband satellite communications.
• 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.
• Ability to define and implement communication system CONOPS for nominal and emergency operations.
• Understanding of how communication payloads fit into the broader mission, from flight software integration to ground operations.
• Ability to move fast to prototype, test, and iterate quickly, focusing on what’s needed to get a mission off the ground.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with software-defined radios (SDRs), CCSDS protocols, or regulatory compliance (ITU/FCC).

Responsibilities

• Own the RF Link – Model, analyze and maintain the satellite’s link budget, modulation and coding, ensuring reliable communications from space to ground.
• Select & Configure Hardware – Define and implement the TT&C radios, antennas, and modems best suited for the mission.
• Develop Operational Concepts – Define how the radios are used in different mission phases, including contingency operations and emergency recovery.
• Integrate & Test – Work with flight software and ground teams to validate end-to-end TT&C performance, from antenna to command center.
• Solve Hard Problems – Optimize low-SWaP communications, mitigate interference, and ensure robust, fail-safe links.

Benefits

• Company stock options
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Retirement plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees