Principal Deep Space RF Communications Architect

About the role

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, which is focused on addressing two of the most compelling challenges in spaceflight today: space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. The role is also part of the Blue National Security (BNS) business unit, which is focused on delivering advanced space capabilities in support of our nation's most critical exploration & national security missions.

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end RF communications architectures for Mars and cislunar telecommunications programs, including Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), proximity links, relay crosslinks, and mission data links spanning Earth-to-Mars and Earth-to-Moon distances.
• Lead architecture trades and system-level analyses to evaluate deep space frequency bands (S-, X-, Ka-band, and UHF), waveforms, link budgets, modulation and coding schemes, and high-gain antenna configurations optimized for extreme range and signal propagation environments.
• Develop comprehensive deep-space link budgets and performance analyses that account for extreme distances, signal degradation, and latency challenges of interplanetary communications.
• Develop and maintain communications architecture documentation including concept of operations (CONOPS), interface control documents (ICDs), and architecture definition documents (ADDs) aligned with NASA LunaNet, Moon-to-Mars (M2M), and CCSDS interoperability standards.
• Collaborate with mission engineering, systems engineering, payload, and ground systems teams to ensure end-to-end communications compatibility and performance across Martian & cislunar relay network architectures.
• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering teams, including spacecraft design, mechanical, thermal, power systems, and flight software, to ensure seamless integration, verification, and successful operation of deep space communications systems throughout the mission lifecycle.
• Engage with government customers, program offices, commercial partners, and international stakeholders to capture requirements, present architectures, and influence program direction for deep space telecommunications infrastructure.
• Support proposal development, including technical volumes, basis of estimates, and architecture white papers for deep space telecommunications pursuits.
• Identify and assess emerging RF and optical communications technologies, evolving deep space standards (e.g., CCSDS Proximity-1, LunaNet Interoperability Specification), and spectrum coordination frameworks relevant to Mars & cislunar mission environments.
• Lead the technical development of delay/disruption-tolerant networking (DTN) protocols optimized for interplanetary communications.
• Ensure compliance with applicable deep space spectrum regulations, ITU/NTIA frequency coordination requirements, NASA SCaN architecture standards, and ITAR.
• Partner with the Mission Engineering & Architecture leadership team to align deep space communications architectures with broader mission and system-level strategies for Martian and lunar exploration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of experience in RF systems engineering, communications systems design, or closely related disciplines, with a proven track record in the development, integration, and deployment of space-segment communications systems.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and integrating TT&C, proximity link, relay crosslink, and/or mission data link systems for space vehicles or satellites.
• Prominent expertise in RF link budget analysis, waveform design, modulation and coding techniques, and antenna system architecture, design, and performance evaluation for deep space or long-range applications.
• Strong understanding of deep space link budget analysis, accounting for extreme distances, planetary occultations, and solar interference.
• Experience with high-gain antenna systems, including design, pointing requirements, and performance optimization.
• Ability to flow down communication system requirements into RF component-level performance specifications for RFP development and procurement activities.
• Experience working on deep space, cislunar, or planetary exploration programs and familiarity with associated government and commercial customers.
• Strong technical communication skills with the ability to present complex architectures to both technical and executive audiences.
• Experience developing architecture documentation and contributing to proposal efforts.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Direct experience with previous interplanetary mission communications systems.
• Familiarity with NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) interfaces, LunaNet Interoperability Specification, CCSDS Proximity-1 protocol, and Moon-to-Mars (M2M) architecture standards.
• Experience with hybrid RF and optical/laser communications architectures for deep space relay and high-data-rate mission links.
• Knowledge of deep space spectrum management, frequency coordination, and ITU/NTIA/SFCG regulatory processes applicable to cislunar and Mars frequency allocations.
• Experience with Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols and contact graph routing for intermittent deep space link environments.
• Experience with autonomous communications systems and fault management for deep space missions.
• Prior experience in an architect or chief engineer role with cross-functional technical leadership responsibilities.

Skills

• RF systems engineering
• Communications systems design
• Deep space link budget analysis
• High-gain antenna systems
• RF communications testing
• Proprietary and open-source RF communications design, modeling, and simulation tools (Cadence AWR, Ansys HFSS & STK, MathWorks Simulink, and MATLAB)
• Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) protocols
• Spacecraft design, mechanical, thermal, power systems, and flight software
• Government and commercial customers
• Technical communication skills
• Proposal development
• Interoperability standards
• Regulatory processes
• Autonomous communications systems
• Fault management

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Paid Time Off
• Stock Options

Pay

Base Pay Range For CA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25 CO applicants is $160,618.00 - $224,864.85 WA applicants is $169,624.00 - $237,473.25 Other Site Ranges May Differ

Schedule

Up to 25% travel may be required depending on work location and program needs.