RF Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Communications
3M Consultancy, Chantilly, VA, United States
RF Systems Engineer – Spacecraft Communications
Chantilly, United States | Posted on 06/11/2025
We’re looking for a passionate and hands-on engineer to help build the communications backbone of our satellite systems. As a Satellite Communications Systems Engineer , you'll work across radio frequencies, electronics, and software to design, test, and integrate advanced space-based communication systems.
This isn’t your typical engineering desk job—you’ll be deep in the lab testing antennas, tuning radios, running link budgets, and occasionally grabbing a soldering iron or configuring a spectrum analyzer. You’ll get to touch nearly every part of the spacecraft communications stack, from early design to launch readiness.
If you love solving unconventional problems, enjoy variety in your day-to-day work, and thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative environment—this role is for you.
What You’ll Do
Help design and refine spacecraft communications systems, including inter-satellite links and direct-to-ground radios
Select radios, antennas, and RF components that meet system needs
Define and support operations concepts for both spacecraft and ground stations
Evaluate ground station options and configure setups that align with mission goals
Build and test communications payloads both in the lab and in orbit
Work with systems engineers to feed real-world performance into broader network design
Run simulations, link budgets, traffic analysis, and RF system dimensioning
Plan antenna layout and placement on spacecraft hardware
Support integration, testing, and launch handover for comms systems
Maintain clear documentation throughout the development cycle
What You Bring
Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field
Hands-on experience with radios, antennas, and SDRs (software-defined radios)
Familiarity with space hardware projects or satellite systems is a big plus
Programming skills in one or more of: Python, C++, C, MATLAB
Experience working in Linux environments
Comfortable with networking and comms protocols (e.g., CCSDS, TCP/IP, Ethernet)
Bonus: experience with microcontrollers, hardware debugging, and RF lab tools
A collaborative mindset, flexibility to pivot when needed, and the initiative to own your work from concept to deployment
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Chantilly, United States | Posted on 06/11/2025
We’re looking for a passionate and hands-on engineer to help build the communications backbone of our satellite systems. As a Satellite Communications Systems Engineer , you'll work across radio frequencies, electronics, and software to design, test, and integrate advanced space-based communication systems.
This isn’t your typical engineering desk job—you’ll be deep in the lab testing antennas, tuning radios, running link budgets, and occasionally grabbing a soldering iron or configuring a spectrum analyzer. You’ll get to touch nearly every part of the spacecraft communications stack, from early design to launch readiness.
If you love solving unconventional problems, enjoy variety in your day-to-day work, and thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative environment—this role is for you.
What You’ll Do
Help design and refine spacecraft communications systems, including inter-satellite links and direct-to-ground radios
Select radios, antennas, and RF components that meet system needs
Define and support operations concepts for both spacecraft and ground stations
Evaluate ground station options and configure setups that align with mission goals
Build and test communications payloads both in the lab and in orbit
Work with systems engineers to feed real-world performance into broader network design
Run simulations, link budgets, traffic analysis, and RF system dimensioning
Plan antenna layout and placement on spacecraft hardware
Support integration, testing, and launch handover for comms systems
Maintain clear documentation throughout the development cycle
What You Bring
Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or a related field
Hands-on experience with radios, antennas, and SDRs (software-defined radios)
Familiarity with space hardware projects or satellite systems is a big plus
Programming skills in one or more of: Python, C++, C, MATLAB
Experience working in Linux environments
Comfortable with networking and comms protocols (e.g., CCSDS, TCP/IP, Ethernet)
Bonus: experience with microcontrollers, hardware debugging, and RF lab tools
A collaborative mindset, flexibility to pivot when needed, and the initiative to own your work from concept to deployment
#J-18808-Ljbffr