Principal Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer I

CesiumAstro • El Segundo, CA

12d

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 designing, building, and launching 8 new satellites in the next four years. They are BIG and super capable RF payload rideshare SmallSats. Our launches are already secured. Our in-house test facilities are built.If you want to own critical communications for these LEO communications satellites and then have the chance to iterate and improve your design at a rapidly growing tech company, this is your chance.
We’re looking for builders, problem-solvers, and system thinkers. As a Spacecraft 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.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering, expertise with both space-based communication payloads and ground terminals, and proven ability to coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineeringor a related field
• A minimum of 9 years of experience with emphasis on satellite communications, RF system engineering, or related fields
• Expertise 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)

Nice To Haves

• You’re an RF Systems Expert – You understand how to design, analyze, and operate spaceborne communication links.
• You Think in Link Budgets – You can balance power, bandwidth, protocols and noise to ensure reliable space-to-ground connectivity. You can answer “what’s the link budget” with thorough analysis, EbN0, EsN0, or effective data rate given a variety of conditions.
• Extensive and practical experience with crypto—From COMSEC plan development, key management to system trouble shooting you have applied, on the ground experience.
• You Understand Satellites – You know how comms fit into the broader mission, from flight software integration to ground operations
• Independent self-starter – You are comfortable identifying problems and using your expertise to find solutions.
• You Move Fast – You can prototype, test, and iterate quickly, focusing on what’s needed to get a mission off the ground.

Responsibilities

• Own the RF Link – Model, analyze and maintain the satellite’s link budget, modulation and coding, ensuring reliable communications from space to ground for all RF links
• Own End-to-End Encryption—Architect hardware-based crypto solutions for flight hardware, manage pass-throughs and end points for users and operations
• Manage Ground Stations—Strong understanding of ground station and network operations with the ability to troubleshoot issues with commercial providers and on-site terminals
• Develop Operational Concepts – Define how the radios are used in different mission phases, including contingency operations and emergency recovery
• Integrate & Test – Own 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
• Solve Hard Problems – Optimize low-SWaP communications, mitigate interference, and ensure robust, fail-safe links

Benefits

• company stock options
• health
• dental
• vision
• HSA
• FSA
• life
• disability
• retirement plans

What This Job Offers

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