Senior Systems Engineer, SATCOM and RF Connectivity

About the role

The Senior Systems Engineer, SATCOM and RF Connectivity performs system-level engineering across the lifecycle of the company's satellite communications and In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) products, with a primary technical focus on satellite communications and the end-to-end RF signal chain. Core responsibilities include requirements definition and verification, system and sub-system design and analysis, use-case development, and interface definition spanning the aircraft terminal, antenna, modem, and connecting space and ground segments. The role serves as a senior technical authority and the principal point of reference, both internally and externally, including customers, managed service providers, and service providers.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer and business needs into verifiable system, subsystem, and equipment requirements, and maintain traceability across all requirement levels
• Develop and maintain system architectures, requirements, use cases, and interfaces for SATCOM and IFC solutions across GEO, MEO, and LEO networks and Ka-band operation
• Perform system and subsystem design, analysis, and verification to ensure requirements are met, including RF link budgets and key performance parameters (EIRP, G/T, C/N₀, Eb/N₀, throughput, and capacity)
• Analyze RF chain and antenna performance, including electronically and mechanically steered antennas, beam and satellite handover, pointing/tracking, polarization/skew, and adjacent satellite interference (ASI) and regulatory mask compliance
• Lead SATCOM, RF, networking, and connectivity trade studies and technical evaluations, assessing architecture, hardware, and waveform options (e.g., DVB-S2X) against performance, weight, power, cost, and certification constraints
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, satellite operators, service providers, and cross-functional teams to develop and integrate connectivity solutions
• Participate in technical reviews, risk assessments, and verification activities throughout the product lifecycle
• Prepare and maintain system documentation, including requirements, design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), and interconnect diagrams
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for SATCOM and RF connectivity products
• Mentor junior engineers and promote systems engineering best practices
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including multi-orbit and software-defined networking concepts, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline; equivalent experience considered
• 6+ years of experience in Systems Engineering, preferably supporting aerospace, avionics, SATCOM, wireless communications, or connectivity products
• Experience developing, managing, and verifying system, subsystem, and interface requirements throughout the product lifecycle
• Working knowledge of SATCOM, RF communications, and IFC systems, including satellite link analysis, antenna systems, and modem/RF chain design
• Understanding of IP networking concepts including routing, switching, network protocols, and connectivity architectures
• Experience collaborating with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams on complex technical programs
• Experience with requirements management, Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), and/or Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools such as Cameo is preferred
• Experience managing multi-level requirements sets and requirements traceability is preferred
• Familiarity with aircraft integration concepts, avionics systems, or aerospace certification environments (e.g., DO-160, DO-178C, DO-254, STC) is preferred
• Familiarity with multi-orbit constellations (LEO/MEO), beam/satellite handover, and ground network integration is preferred
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar drafting tools for system and installation documentation is preferred
• INCOSE certification or demonstrated application of Systems Engineering best practices is desired

Benefits

The starting pay range for this position is $97,000 to $117,000 per year however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the level of the position, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location. In addition to a comprehensive package of health benefits that include company contributions, Safran Passenger Innovations offers a variety of additional benefits and perks to enhance your work-life balance experience including but not limited to:

• A home allowance to elevate your home workspace
• Discretionary bonus program
• Future financial security with a 401(k) program with company match
• Paid time off covering vacations, personal time off and sick days, capped off by an exciting year-end holiday shutdown
• Embraced flexibility with our alternative work schedule (9/80) to navigate your workweeks with every other Friday off