Communications Systems Engineer, RF (Satellite, Ground Terminals & Military User Equipment)

Overview

Design, analyze, and integrate RF satellite communication systems for military applications.

Key Responsibilities

• scenario modeling
• architecture design
• requirements management
• system integration
• link budget
• rf design

Tasks

-Scenario Modeling: Create and simulate realistic communication scenarios to evaluate system performance under various conditions, including signal impairments, interference, and atmospheric effects, particularly as they impact deployed user terminals. -Architecture Development: Participate in the definition of system architectures and interfaces, ensuring modularity, scalability, and compatibility across system components, from the space layer to the tactical user. -Collaboration: Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, mission planners, and military end-users, to deliver integrated system solutions. -MILSATCOM/COMSATCOM Expertise: Apply in-depth knowledge of military and commercial SATCOM systems, including specific constellations (e.g., WGS, AEHF, MUOS) and standards, to develop and integrate solutions, particularly with respect to the user terminal segment. -Requirements Development & Management: Elicit, analyze, define, and manage technical requirements for satellite communication systems and ground terminals, translating high-level operational needs into detailed, verifiable system specifications. This includes a deep understanding of warfighter needs related to user equipment. -Anomalies and Troubleshooting: Investigate and resolve system anomalies, performance discrepancies, and technical issues throughout the system lifecycle, often involving user equipment in deployed scenarios. -Ground Terminal Support: Provide technical expertise on ground terminal architecture and design, including antennas, RF front-ends, modems, and data processing, ensuring compatibility with the military user terminal ecosystem. -System Integration and Testing: Support the integration, verification, and validation of communication equipment and software. Develop and execute test plans for lab and field evaluations of ground and space components, including specific tests for military user equipment over satellite systems. -Technical Documentation: Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system specifications, test procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and analysis reports. -Technical Analysis & Trade Studies: Conduct comprehensive technical analyses and trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess performance feasibility, and make data-driven recommendations for optimal system solutions, considering constraints imposed by military user terminals. -RF Systems Design and Analysis: Design and analyze end-to-end RF communication systems, including satellite payloads and ground terminals, to meet mission requirements, with a focus on seamless integration with military user equipment to existing SATCOM solutions. -Link Budget Analysis: Develop and maintain detailed link budgets for satellite communication links, performing margin assessments and optimizing system performance based on modulation schemes, coding, and environmental factors, with specific consideration for user equipment performance. -Military User Equipment Integration: Analyze and evaluate the performance of various military user terminals (airborne, ground, maritime), ensuring interoperability and compatibility within the overall communication architecture.

Requirements

• mbse
• python
• security clearance
• stk
• 12+ years
• satcom

What You Bring

-Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Experience with MBSE tools and methodologies. -Programming: Experience with programming/scripting languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB for data analysis and test automation. -Clearance: Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance. -Link Budget Tools: Proficiency with link budget and RF simulation and modeling tools, such as STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB, or custom scripts. -Experience: 12+ years of experience in communications systems engineering, with a focus on RF satellite communication systems. -Technical Analysis Skills: Demonstrated ability to perform complex technical analysis, trade studies, and generate data-driven recommendations. -Terminal Certifications: Familiarity with the certification processes (e.g., Joint Interoperability Test Command – JITC, MIL-STD-188-164C, MIL-STD-188-165B) for military terminals. -Secure Comms: Familiarity with secure and classified communication systems, cryptographic equipment, and Information Assurance (IA) requirements. -Test Equipment: Hands-on experience with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators. -RF Fundamentals: Strong understanding of RF principles, antenna systems, digital signal processing (DSP), and modulation/demodulation techniques. -Military User Equipment (UE) Experience: Direct experience with military user terminals and ground equipment (e.g., AN/PRC, AN/MRC series, SATCOM On-The-Move systems). -Clearance: Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. -Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field. A Master's degree is preferred. -Systems Engineering Principles: Proven experience with the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements definition, decomposition, verification, and validation. -Technical Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading technical efforts or small teams on complex communications projects. -SATCOM Knowledge: Experience with both MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM systems, protocols, and architectures (LEO, MEO, GEO).

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Benefits

-Collaborative Environment: Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

About Kbr, Inc.

-Designs and builds complex facilities — from LNG plants and refineries to military bases and naval infrastructure. -Operates mission‑critical projects: NASA ISS payload operations, astronaut health research, JWST integration, space‑instrument R&D. -Offers full EPC and life‑cycle services: engineering, procurement, construction, logistics and proprietary tech licensing. -Supports defense and intelligence sectors with systems engineering, base‑operations, C5ISR, cyber, and mission planning. -Has completed landmark acquisitions (BE&K, Wyle, SGT, Centauri, Frazer‑Nash, LinQuest) to expand aerospace, gov‑tech and space capabilities. -Versatile footprint: tackling offshore oil‑&‑gas, chemical processing, sustainable energy and cutting‑edge digital transformation.

Sector Specialisms