RF Communications Systems Engineer

sesengin•Reston, VA

41d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Senior RF Communications Engineer, you will lead the design, analysis, and optimization of RF communications performance across SES Space & Defense’s space architectures, assisting in the development of link budgets, modeling RF impairments, and ensuring robust end to ‑end connectivity for mission critical SATCOM operations. You’ll integrate and assist with testing waveforms, modems, antennas, and RF subsystems. You will solve complex interoperability challenges, support advanced waveform and capability development, and drive enhancements that strengthen resilience, throughput, and reliability. You’ll also collaborate across space, systems, and network engineering teams, support operational missions with RF troubleshooting, and contribute to technical governance, readiness assessments, and system level ‑performance decisions. 1. What the person is owning or responsible for Own RF communications design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal to‑ ‑network RF behavior. Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals. Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N₀ margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability. 2. What they are building, solving, or driving Build and refine high performance RF links for low‑ latency‑ LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments. Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces. 3. Why the role matters Ensures mission critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures. Enables technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi orbit‑ and multi‑vendor environments. Accelerate delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes. 4. What makes it interesting or challenging Involves advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting-edge LEO and multi‑ orbit‑ SATCOM systems. Requires working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link layer‑ networking, and integrated ground infrastructure. Operates at the intersection of cutting-edge communications technology, real‑ world‑ environmental constraints, and demanding mission needs.

Requirements

Experience owning RF subsystem designs, link performance modeling, and related engineering documentation for SATCOM or aerospace systems.
Responsible for baseline management of RF requirements, performance verification, and integration readiness.
Experience supporting field operations, terminal integration, or on orbit‑ performance assessment environments.
Delivered RF or waveform based capabilities, such as new modem integrations, link optimization algorithms, or interference‑ resilient‑ communications solutions.
Supported prototype development, system demonstrations, or rapid capability insertion efforts.
Contributed to terminal interoperability upgrades or RF enhancements that improved mission performance.
Experience in SATCOM, RF communications, tactical radios, aerospace systems, or defense networking.
Past support for U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers conducting mission critical‑ communications.
Familiarity with protected communications, jamming environments, spectrum policy, and cybersecurity aware‑ RF architectures.
BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 4 or more years related experience.
Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience.
Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
Microwave, radio frequency, and/or optical telecom hardware experience.
Excellent customer service, accountability, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.
Solid critical thinking skills that result in effective decision making and priority setting.
Team building skills with a player/coach mindset.
Attention to detail that leads to complete, high-quality engineering products.

Nice To Haves

Strong record of owning and delivering complex SATCOM or aerospace communication systems across space, ground, and network segments.
Successfully developed or integrated advanced waveforms, modems, prototypes, or communications architectures, often under demanding mission constraints.
Supported field tests, rapid capability insertions, or operational demonstrations.
Background includes working with U.S. Government, DoD, or national security customers, bringing deep familiarity with protected communications, cybersecurity requirements, interference environments, and tactical networking.
Recognized subject matter expertise in RF or multi‑ orbit SATCOM engineering.
Can translate complex technical challenges into clear, mission‑ aligned‑ strategies.

Responsibilities

Own RF communications design elements within the overall space architecture, including link budgets, waveform performance, and terminal to‑ ‑network RF behavior.
Lead RF integration and test activities across space, ground, and user terminals.
Validate RF system performance against requirements such as Eb/N₀ margins, throughput, interference resilience, and mission availability.
Build and refine high performance RF links for low‑ latency‑ LEO SATCOM, ensuring robustness across dynamic orbital and tactical environments.
Solve complex interoperability issues involving waveforms, modems, antennas, terminal radios, and networking interfaces.
Ensures mission critical communications reliability for U.S. Government and commercial customers who rely on SES space architectures.
Enables technical clarity and risk reduction through expert RF engineering support across multi orbit‑ and multi‑vendor environments.
Accelerate delivery of advanced, resilient RF capabilities that improve operational performance and mission outcomes.
Involves advanced RF engineering in the context of cutting-edge LEO and multi‑ orbit‑ SATCOM systems.
Requires working across antenna systems, waveforms, modems, link layer‑ networking, and integrated ground infrastructure.
Operates at the intersection of cutting-edge communications technology, real‑ world‑ environmental constraints, and demanding mission needs.