Space Communications Engineer

Craig Technologies • Huntsville, AL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Craig Technologies is seeking an experienced Space Communications / RF Engineer to join our team in Huntsville, AL, Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL. The candidate will be responsible for the architecture, design, analysis, and verification of complex RF communication subsystems designed to support satellite networks in lunar orbit, cislunar space, and deep-space applications. This role is critical to overcoming the extreme signal attenuation, atmospheric losses, and data routing constraints of multi-body space missions by ensuring highly stable links between spacecraft constellations and ground stations on Earth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical field plus 5-10 years of experience in communications engineering.
• 5-10 years of direct experience developing spacecraft communication subsystem requirements, hardware specifications, and interface definitions (ICDs).
• Experience with communication analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK (Systems Tool Kit), FreeFlyer, GMAT, or equivalent.
• Experience utilizing RF test equipment including spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), signal generators, and high-speed oscilloscopes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills when handling complex RF signals and noise environments.
• Ability to work effectively and pivot dynamically in a fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven team environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with the capability to present link margins and RF architecture designs to internal leads and commercial clients.
• US citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with lunar, deep-space, or satellite communication systems, as well as optical (laser) communications or Software Defined Radios (SDRs), is highly desired.
• Familiarity with international government standards, CCSDS protocols, and spectrum management/licensing activities.
• Experience supporting communication subsystem integration, environmental testing (including EMI/EMC and TVAC verification), and active mission operations.

Responsibilities

• Design space communication architectures to support satellite systems in lunar orbit, deep-space, and other high-reliability mission applications.
• Define comprehensive communication subsystem requirements and allocate requirements seamlessly across spacecraft, payload, and ground system interfaces.
• Develop RF communication subsystem configurations and test frameworks for hardware including directional/omni antennas, transceivers, Software Defined Radios (SDRs), LNAs, SSPAs, filters, and multiplexers.
• Develop, maintain, and execute communication link budgets to prove end-to-end mission performance requirements are achieved under worst-case orbital conditions.
• Define and implement advanced communication waveforms, modulation schemes, forward error correction (FEC) coding techniques, and synchronization methods.
• Perform RF system modeling, software simulation, hardware integration, component testing, and multi-element troubleshooting activities.
• Conduct critical communication performance analyses, including Eb/No, carrier-to-noise ratio, data throughput, orbital coverage, user access windows, and link margin assessments.
• Ensure all communication subsystem designs fully comply with applicable constraints, international spectrum management standards, and government requirements.
• Collaborate across multi-disciplinary engineering teams—including systems, flight software, avionics, GN&C, and ground stations—to ensure successful communications integration and testing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• All candidates selected will be subject to a background investigation and drug screen.
• All candidates selected will be subject to a security background investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

What This Job Offers

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