Contract Communications Systems Architect

Defining the communications subsystem architecture

Defining the communications subsystem architecture for a Mars-compatible satellite bus, driving design decisions through CoDR and PDR.

Preliminary comms performance analyses and deep-space link budgets

Developing preliminary comms performance analyses and deep-space link budgets.

Mars mission link analysis

• Covering both relay and direct-to-Earth concepts, with enough depth to anchor CoDR and PDR decisions.

Candidate architecture trade studies

Leading candidate architecture trade studies and command & telemetry architecture definition.

Owning interface definition

Owning interface definition across complex system boundaries.

Delivering CoDR and PDR data deliverables

• Producing all CoDR and PDR data deliverables to programme schedule milestones.

Requirements

• Proven experience architecting a communications system for a lunar or Mars mission — this is the core requirement.
• Strong RF and satellite comms subsystem design background, including deep-space link budget analysis.
• Experience leading architecture trade studies and interface definition.
• Comfortable with formal design review processes (CoDR, PDR) and the documentation discipline that comes with them.
• Self-directed and delivery-focused — able to operate in a lean, early-stage environment.
• US-based

Nice to have

• Relay vs direct-to-Earth architecture trade experience.
• Command and telemetry architecture design for interplanetary mission profiles.
• Prior contract or interim work — you land and add value fast.