Career Opportunity: Principal SATCOM Systems Engineer (El Segundo Space Corridor)
Our specialist aerospace executive search practice has been exclusively engaged to secure a Principal SATCOM Systems Engineer for a flagship space vehicle and mission payload integrator situated in El Segundo, California. Operating directly adjacent to Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base and the broader South Bay aerospace industrial hub, this role anchors the architectural development, link performance verification, and end-to-end mission integration for next-generation sovereign and enterprise satellite communications programs.
The successful engineer will step into a high-visibility capacity responsible for translating mission imperatives into flight-qualified satellite communications architectures across LEO, MEO, GEO, and cislunar operational envelopes. This is an advanced technical engineering post tailored for an experienced practitioner with deep domain fluency in wideband RF payloads, anti-jam protected tactical waveforms, digital transponders, and phased-array ground-terminal integration.
Aerospace Ecosystem Context and Program Scope
El Segundo represents the historical and contemporary epicenter of the global military satellite communications enterprise. The selected engineer will work within a fast-moving, high-assurance facility driving innovations across Wideband Global SATCOM recapitalization, the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service framework, and hybrid proliferated LEO architectures carrying high-throughput military and commercial payloads. Programs supported include resilient MILSATCOM systems, deep-space crosslinks, and tactical beamformed communications suites operating under hostile electronic warfare conditions.
Core Operational & Engineering Responsibilities
The Principal SATCOM Systems Engineer oversees the complete communications payload and RF link lifecycle, driving end-to-end system design from preliminary concept through on-orbit anomalous resolution. Core duties include:
- Architecting end-to-end satellite communications links across UHF, X, Ku, Ka, Q, and V bands, developing rigorous multi-carrier link budgets accounting for atmospheric attenuation, rain fade, scintillation, polarization mismatch, phase noise, and non-linear amplifier distortion.
- Specifying and sizing analog and digital RF payload chains, including Low Noise Amplifiers, Downconverters, Channelizers, Solid-State Power Amplifiers, Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers, and high-rejection diplexers.
- Executing radio frequency simulation, spectral occupancy evaluation, and adjacent channel interference analysis using MATLAB, Simulink, Systems Tool Kit, and Keysight SystemVue.
- Leading thermal-vacuum, anechoic chamber, and ambient radio frequency integration and test campaigns for space vehicle payloads and earth station systems.
- Directing electromagnetic compatibility and radio frequency hazard mitigations in strict adherence to MIL-STD-461G and MIL-STD-810H environmental qualification regimes.
Space-Ground Segment Architecture & Payload Engineering
The position requires bridging the physical boundaries between space vehicle transponders and distributed user terminals. You will define technical requirements for active electronically steered antennas, multi-beam phased arrays, and digital beamforming networks deployed to support high-capacity, multi-access communications topologies.
Waveform Processing and Anti-Jam Telemetry Controls
You will evaluate advanced digital signal processing techniques designed to maintain link closure in contested electromagnetic environments. This includes low probability of intercept and low probability of detection signaling structures, direct sequence spread spectrum implementations, and frequency-hopping communications links.
Baseline Modulation and Demodulation Standards
Technical governance includes maintaining full alignment with established and emerging military and commercial standards, specifically MIL-STD-188-164C, MIL-STD-188-165B, STANAG 4486, and DVB-S2X forward error correction specifications over diverse channel models.
Customer Interfacing & Defense Stakeholder Dynamics
Beyond isolated bench engineering, this role demands authoritative customer-facing communication. You will present technical baselines at System Requirements Reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, and Critical Design Reviews before technical authorities from Space Systems Command, the Space Development Agency, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and commercial prime contractors. You will author comprehensive Interface Control Documents, link margin justification whitepapers, and operational handover documentation for operational space crews and technical ground station operators.
Candidate Profile & Technical Qualifications
Mandatory Clearance and Baseline Prerequisites
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related applied physics discipline from an accredited institution.
- Active United States Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance with current Single-Scope Background Investigation and active eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information access.
- Minimum of eight continuous years of professional engineering experience within the aerospace, defense, or commercial space sector specifically dedicated to SATCOM payload or ground station systems design.
- Demonstrated mastery of precision RF test and measurement instrumentation, including Keysight PNA-X vector network analyzers, Rohde & Schwarz FSW real-time spectrum analyzers, high-speed digitizers, and noise figure meters.
- Demonstrated authority in link budget generation calculating Carrier-to-Noise density, Effective Isotropic Radiated Power, Gain-to-Noise-Temperature, Bit Error Rate, and Eb/N0 under complex operational constraints.
Preferred Qualifications and Advanced Accreditations
- Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Electromagnetics, Radio Frequency Systems, or Digital Signal Processing.
- Prior direct engineering experience with modern military SATCOM payloads such as AEHF, WGS, MUOS, or commercial constellations such as O3b mPOWER, Telesat Lightspeed, or Starlink commercial gateways.
- Hands-on familiarity with open-standard modem interface protocols, including the Open Space Link Standard and Digital Intermediate Frequency standards like VITA 49.2.
- Proficiency in scripting automated hardware-in-the-loop test sequences in Python or LabVIEW for automated RF payload characterization.
Quantitative Performance Metrics and Key Deliverables
Performance in this seat will be assessed across clear milestones over the first twelve to eighteen months:
- First 90 Days: Assume engineering ownership of active program link budgets, establish operational calibration procedures for cleanroom RF test benches, and clear baseline trade study backlogs.
- First 180 Days: Successfully shepherd RF payload architecture through program Critical Design Review milestones, achieving technical sign-off from defense customer review boards without major action items.
- First 365 Days: Direct the end-to-end integration and anechoic chamber verification of flight communication subsystems, delivering validated margin tables and on-schedule payload delivery.
Total Rewards, Compensation & Hybrid Schedule
The expected base salary band for this El Segundo based position ranges between $170,000 and $225,000 annually, determined by depth of systems design experience, advanced education, and active clearance designations. This compensation is augmented by a comprehensive corporate performance bonus, a long-term equity incentive vehicle, comprehensive premium medical, dental, and vision coverage, an employer-matched 401(k) plan up to six percent, and a flexible 9/80 work schedule accommodating both laboratory commitments and collaborative design blocks.
Agency Engagement & Selection Roadmap
Interested candidates possessing the required clearance level and technical background are encouraged to submit a detailed resume outlining their RF and payload design history. Our recruitment team handles all inquiries with absolute discretion, conducting confidential preliminary technical evaluations prior to formal presentation to the prime hiring panel.