SATCOM Systems Engineer

ThinKom Solutions•Hawthorne, CA

2d•$80,000 - $135,000

About The Position

ThinKom is seeking a SATCOM Systems Engineer to lead end-to-end systems engineering for advanced satellite communications antenna platforms, with an emphasis on RF link performance, system architecture, and regulatory and customer compliance. The engineer will define system- and subsystem-level architectures, establish requirements baselines, and guide cross-functional RF, electrical, mechanical, and software teams through design, verification, and certification. Working within an Integrated Product Team under the direction of the Director of Systems Engineering and assigned Program Managers, the engineer will serve as the technical authority for link budgets, RF chain trade studies, compliance matrices, and terminal-level risk management across GEO, MEO, and LEO programs. The role supports multiple concurrent flight, ground, or mobile terminal programs and includes customer and supplier collaboration, design reviews, testing, and certification activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
At least 3 years of direct systems engineering experience in satellite communications.
Proven experience closing satellite link budgets and sizing apertures using satellite EIRP and G/T on operational GEO, MEO, or LEO satellite programs; terrestrial wireless link analysis alone does not meet this requirement.
In-depth working knowledge of SATCOM RF architectures, including SSPAs/BUCs, up/down converters, LNBs, modems, and reference distribution schemes.
Demonstrated competence in cascaded gain, noise figure, linearity (IP3/P1dB), VSWR, and phase noise analysis.
Experience generating system requirements, establishing compliance matrices against customer or operator criteria, and flowing requirements down to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Strong analytical modeling skills using Python, MATLAB, and Excel.
Comfort working in Linux environments and with standard office productivity suites.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to lead technical discussions with suppliers, internal design teams, and external customers.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and occasionally lift equipment or fixtures up to 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Systems Engineering or Communication Systems.
Experience with aeronautical mobile terminals or In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) systems.
Background with phased-array systems, electronically steered antennas (ESAs), or mechanically steered hybrid antennas operating in X, Ku, or Ka bands.
Hands-on familiarity with NGSO constellations and military SATCOM standards such as MIL-STD-188-164/181.
Experience conducting off-axis EIRP spectral density, regulatory compliance, and interference analysis for mobile terminals.
Familiarity with RF laboratory test instrumentation, including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), and signal generators.
Experience managing and qualifying specialized RF hardware suppliers.

Responsibilities

Define system- and subsystem-level SATCOM antenna platform architectures, including sizing and integration of the end-to-end RF chain.
Perform link budget, RF cascade, and adjacent-satellite interference analyses, and benchmark ThinKom platforms against competing terminal architectures.
Conduct engineering trade studies to guide architecture, component selection, and terminal performance optimization.
Identify, assess, and track technical risks, and implement mitigation plans throughout product development.
Author, maintain, and baseline system and subsystem specifications; flow requirements down to hardware, software, and mechanical teams with verification traceability.
Interface with commercial customers, military end-users, and satellite network operators to interpret specifications, resolve interface ambiguities, and demonstrate compliance.
Develop and maintain compliance matrices for commercial and military satellite terminal standards, including applicable MIL-STD-188 series, ARINC, and ITU/FCC regulations.
Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams to transition system concepts into production designs and resolve cross-domain technical issues.
Collaborate with RF and electronic component vendors to evaluate COTS equipment, establish source specifications, and resolve technical queries.
Formulate system-level test, verification, and certification plans for terminal qualification and operator network approvals.
Prepare and present technical design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and trade-study findings to internal leadership, partners, and external customers.
Support multiple concurrent flight, ground, or mobile terminal programs while following company design procedures and configuration management policies.
Travel up to 10% for customer integration meetings, vendor audits, and field or test-range support.