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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Anomalies and Troubleshooting:Investigate and resolve system anomalies, performance discrepancies, and technical issues throughout the system lifecycle, often involving user equipment in deployed scenarios.
• Technical Documentation:Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system specifications, test procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and analysis reports.
• Collaboration:Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, mission planners, and military end-users, to deliver integrated system solutions.

• Location:On-site
• Travel Requirements:Minimal
• Working Hours:Standard

• 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.
• Experience:12+ years of experience in communications systems engineering, with a focus on RF satellite communication systems.
• RF Fundamentals:Strong understanding of RF principles, antenna systems, digital signal processing (DSP), and modulation/demodulation techniques.
• Systems Engineering Principles:Proven experience with the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements definition, decomposition, verification, and validation.
• Technical Analysis Skills:Demonstrated ability to perform complex technical analysis, trade studies, and generate data-driven recommendations.
• Link Budget Tools:Proficiency with link budget and RF simulation and modeling tools, such as STK (Systems Tool Kit), MATLAB, or custom scripts.
• SATCOM Knowledge:Experience with both MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM systems, protocols, and architectures (LEO, MEO, GEO).

• 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).
• 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.
• Technical Leadership:Demonstrated experience leading technical efforts or small teams on complex communications projects.
• Clearance:Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Programming:Experience with programming/scripting languages like Python, C++, or MATLAB for data analysis and test automation.
• Test Equipment:Hands-on experience with RF test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators.
• Secure Comms:Familiarity with secure and classified communication systems, cryptographic equipment, and Information Assurance (IA) requirements.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE):Experience with MBSE tools and methodologies.

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  Interesting Work:
  
  
  
  Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.
  
  
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  Values:
  
  
  
  Our first core value is that employees come first. We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry.
  
  
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  100% Employee Owned:
  
  
  
  We have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers. It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.
  
  
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  Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for:
  
  
  




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  Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/year
  
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  Flexible schedules
  
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  6% 401k match with immediate vesting up to $9k annually
  
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  Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and December)
  
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  Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account
  
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  Up to $10,000 in annual educational reimbursement
  
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  Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance
  
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  Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan
  




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  Track Record of Success:
  
  
  
  We have grown every year since our founding in 1993.
  
  

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance

MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.

For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com