SATCOM Senior Systems Engineer (Modem)

KBR, Inc.•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Wideband Anti-Jam Modem (WAM) Systems Engineer will serve as the program’s senior technical authority for modem architecture, waveform integration, and anti-jam system performance supporting the government Lead Engineer. This role carries significant technical responsibility — driving architectural conversations and implementation decisions, establishing systems engineering standards, requirements, and representing the governments technical position to various vendors and other government organizations. The WAM provides wideband protected SATCOM access with integrated anti-jam capability, leveraging both the protected tactical waveform (PTW) and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), frequency hopping, and low probability of intercept and detection (LPI/LPD) waveform techniques to support reliable communications in contested and congested electromagnetic environments. The senior engineer will own the modem technical baseline requirements definition through design, integration, verification, and fielding, applying deep domain expertise in waveform theory, and platform communications architecture. This is a highly visible, technically demanding role requiring the independent ability to evaluate complex modem and RF subsystem performance, lead multi-disciplinary technical trades, and provide technically credible oversight of vendor design and test execution. The ideal candidate brings extensive hands-on experience in protected waveform development, spread spectrum system integration, and DoD ACAT program leadership, and is comfortable engaging senior Government leadership at Flag or SES level.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline; Master of Science or Ph.D. preferred but not required
10+ years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense communications programs, with demonstrated technical depth in modem, waveform, or RF subsystem development
Demonstrated leadership of systems engineering teams or technical working groups on DoD acquisition programs, including direct accountability for technical performance and schedule
Deep working knowledge of spread spectrum techniques including DSSS and frequency hopping, and their application to anti-jam, LPI/LPD operational requirements
Strong foundation in digital communications theory including modulation, coding, synchronization, detection, and interference analysis as applied to protected SATCOM systems
Experience leading or overseeing modem integration into platform communications architectures across RF, IF, baseband, and network interface layers
Experience conducting link budget analysis, jam-to-signal ratio analysis, and Electronic Communication Counter Measures (ECCM) effectiveness assessment for protected wideband waveforms
Direct experience on FPGA or SoC-based modem development programs, including review of hardware/software partitioning and DSP algorithm implementation
Experience leading or independently executing DoD acquisition design reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR), including preparation of contractor technical packages and compliance matrices
Experience preparing and delivering technical briefings to senior Government customers at O-6 equivalent or SES-level
Familiarity with ITAR and export control requirements governing protected communications systems and anti-jam waveform technologies

Nice To Haves

Direct experience on WAM, AC2, A3M, or comparable anti-jam protected wideband modem or waveform development programs
Experience with MILSATCOM protected waveforms, including EHF waveform, Advanced EHF (AEHF) modem architectures, or TRANSEC implementation
Experience interfacing with PEO Space, NAVWAR, or SMC program offices in a senior technical representative capacity
Experience with ECCM test and evaluation methodologies and interference vulnerability assessment in operationally representative environments
Experience reviewing or contributing to FPGA modem implementations in VHDL, Verilog, or equivalent HDL
Familiarity with JITC certification processes and associated test and evaluation requirements for protected Government communications systems

Responsibilities

Lead the definition and maintenance of the WAM system technical baseline, including modem hardware architecture, waveform interface specifications, anti-jam performance requirements, and system-level performance objectives
Direct systems engineering execution across all program phases: requirements analysis and decomposition, design oversight, integration planning, verification, and operational test support
Evaluate the vendors technical position during formal Government design reviews, TRRs, SVRs, and program management reviews, including review of engineering analysis packages and compliance documentation
Evaluate and guide implementation of anti-jam waveform features including DSSS, frequency hopping, assessing performance against jam resistance, LPI/LPD, and operational link margin requirements
Lead link budget development, jam-to-signal ratio analysis, interference margin assessment, and RF chain performance modeling for wideband anti-jam operational scenarios
Provide technical oversight of FPGA-based and SoC-based modem hardware implementation, reviewing hardware/software partitioning decisions and DSP algorithm integration for waveform processing functions
Define and review system and interface specifications governing WAM integration into platform communications architectures, including ICDs for RF, IF, networking, and control plane interfaces
Lead technical risk identification and mitigation planning across waveform, RF, digital baseband, and platform integration domains; brief risk posture and mitigation strategies to program leadership and Government customers
Serve as the primary technical representative for Government program offices; prepare and deliver senior leadership technical briefings to Flag-level and SES-level audiences
Mentor mid-level and junior systems engineers, establish technical review processes, and enforce program engineering standards consistent with the Engineering Management Plan (EMP)