Wireless Communications Engineer

Amentum•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum is seeking a Wireless Communications Engineer to serve as an RF Communications Systems Engineer on the Communication and Tracking Sub-System Analysis Team supporting ISS, Orion, Moon Base, and Exploration Programs. The role supports NASA space exploration programs, including efforts to return to the Moon, and is based on location with situational telework only. The engineer evaluates RF communication links and systems, reviews communication protocols and requirements, performs interference and compatibility analyses, and supports technical reviews and coordination. The position also serves as a technical point of contact for the NASA RF communication subsystem manager and represents Johnson Space Center in dealings with NASA centers, federal agencies, and commercial partners. The role generally works in an office environment, though tasks may involve indoor or outdoor work. Work may require extended sitting or standing, and lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds. Regular attendance is critical, and the ability to adjust schedules for peak periods and surge requirements is required.

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school; a bachelor's degree in Engineering is typically required, and a related master's degree or higher may be expected.
Normally possess 15 or more years of related experience.
Completed college-level RF Communications coursework, such as digital communications, DSP, microwave, satellite communications, and estimation and detection theory.
Strong analytical skills in RF communications.
Strong knowledge of communication systems, including digital modulation, demodulation, encoding and decoding, spread-spectrum signals, signal detection, data formatting, and packetizing.
Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work in a team environment.
Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident for 3 years and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
Ability to work on location; situational telework only.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and, as needed, lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work outside the normal schedule and adjust the schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with spectrum (frequency) management, including the NTIA spectrum approval process, review of spectrum requests, spectrum sharing, and interference analysis.
Experience with NASA processes.
Knowledge of antennas, RF propagation, and network-layer protocols.
Familiarity with CCSDS communication standards.
Knowledge of pseudo-noise ranging, forward error correction such as LDPC, radiometric range and range-rate calculations, and orbital dynamics.
Programming experience with C/C++ and Python.

Responsibilities

Serve as an RF Communications Systems Engineer for the Communication and Tracking Sub-System Analysis Team supporting ISS, Orion, Moon Base, and Exploration Programs.
Review link- and network-layer protocols implemented on communication systems based on CCSDS recommendations.
Determine RF communication-link performance and create link budgets using analytical methods, analysis, and simulations.
Participate in and contribute to Systems Requirements Reviews, Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews, and Technical Interchange Meetings.
Perform RF interference and compatibility analysis, Power Flux Density analysis, and spectral analysis for space-based communication systems using MATLAB, Simulink, and Excel.
Review RF communication subsystem Interface Requirements Documents, Verification Requirements, Interface Control Documents, and component-level requirements for transponders, transceivers, and baseband processors.
Assist and support the NASA RF communication subsystem manager with reviews and meetings, and serve as the technical point of contact.
Represent JSC and interface with other NASA centers, federal agencies, and commercial partners.
Perform other duties as required.
Maintain regular attendance in accordance with the established work schedule and adjust schedules to meet peak periods and surge requirements.