Senior SATCOM Systems Engineer

About the role

KBR’s National Security Solutions team provides high‑end engineering and advanced technology solutions to intelligence and national security customers. The Senior Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Systems Engineer will support the architecture, analysis, integration, and technical oversight of advanced satellite communications systems. This role requires strong technical depth in RF engineering, digital communications, and modem development, with emphasis on physical‑layer performance and waveform implementation. The engineer will work across RF, IF, baseband, and networking layers to evaluate and develop modem and terminal architectures for military and commercial satellite communications systems.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and define modem and RF subsystem architectures for SATCOM systems.
• Evaluate modulation and coding schemes (QPSK, 8PSK, APSK variants, LDPC, Turbo, etc.) under operational link conditions.
• Assess and support implementation of multiple access techniques.
• Develop and review link budgets, spectral‑efficiency analysis, and interference‑mitigation strategies.
• Support System‑on‑Chip (SoC) or FPGA‑based modem implementations and hardware/software partitioning decisions.
• Define system and interface requirements across RF, IF, baseband, and Layer 2 interfaces.
• Support integration and test of modem and terminal subsystems in laboratory and field environments.
• Identify technical risks and performance trades across waveform, RF, and network layers.
• Serve as subject‑matter expert (SME) for SATCOM systems and technologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and support technical development of project teams.
• Lead technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and customer readiness reviews.
• Interface directly with customers, government stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications system development.
• Hands‑on experience supporting modem, waveform, or RF subsystem design or integration.
• Experience supporting integration and system‑level testing.
• Experience working in DoD or defense communications programs.
• Strong foundation in RF engineering principles, including non‑linear effects, phase noise, filtering, frequency planning, and interference analysis.
• Deep understanding of digital communications theory, including modulation, coding, synchronization, and detection.
• Experience evaluating or implementing ModCod strategies and adaptive coding and modulation.
• Experience with multiple access schemes.
• Experience performing link‑budget analysis and system performance modeling.
• Experience with FPGA or SoC‑based modem architectures.
• Proficiency with modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB or equivalent.
• Ability to translate waveform and RF performance analysis into actionable system requirements.
• Active DoD SECRET clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• MS in Electrical Engineering (Communications, RF, or Signal Processing concentration preferred).
• Experience with MILSATCOM (WGS, AEHF, MUOS) or commercial SATCOM systems.
• Experience with protected waveforms and secure modem architectures.
• Experience reviewing or contributing to DSP implementations in C/C++ or HDL.
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance.

Pay

Basic Compensation: $140‑155 k per year (rate based on knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience). Additional compensation may include bonuses, commissions, sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, short‑term and long‑term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Flexible spending account
• Disability coverage
• Paid time off
• Flexible work schedule
• Career advancement through professional training and development

Schedule

Weekly Hours: 40