Principal Systems Engineer - RF/SATCOM

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Principal Systems Engineer - RF/SATCOM

Summary

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Description

HawkEye 360 is seeking an experienced RF/SATCOM Systems Engineer with a strong background in electrical engineering or telecommunications to design, analyze, and integrate advanced satellite communication systems. This role involves end-to-end RF systems engineering, including link budget development, waveform and antenna optimization, and ground terminal design across GEO, MEO, and LEO architectures. The RF Hardware SME will work hands-on in RF lab environments, leverage SDR and digital IF technologies, and collaborate across network and systems teams to ensure seamless interoperability with terrestrial infrastructures. This position supports mission-critical government and military communications and requires strong technical depth in RF systems, satellite communications, and adaptive networking, along with an active TS/SCI clearance and willingness to travel as needed.

As the Principal Systems Engineer - RF/SATCOM, your main responsibilities will be:

• Perform end-to-end RF and SATCOM systems engineering, including link budgets, propagation analysis, EIRP/G/T calculations, and noise figure optimization.
• Support the design, integration, and validation of SATCOM systems across GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite constellations and waveform technologies.
• Design, develop, and integrate SATCOM ground terminal hardware, including RF front-ends, antennas, modems, BUCs, and LNBs.
• Apply antenna theory and design principles to phased arrays, parabolic reflectors, flat panel antennas, and systems requiring beam steering, polarization control, and precision tracking..
• Utilize Software Defined Radios (SDRs) and digital IF architectures for system development, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct RF testing and analysis using laboratory equipment such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators, and interpret measurement results.
• Collaborate on network protocol integration, ensuring smooth interoperability between SATCOM and terrestrial TCP/IP, VLAN, and QoS-based infrastructures.
• Apply mesh networking and adaptive communications concepts to optimize routing, latency, frequency reuse, and spectrum utilization.
• Support mission-critical government or military communications through hands-on engineering, analysis, and technical problem-solving.

Your skills and qualifications:

Essential education and experience:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Analyze and optimize waveforms including QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, and Forward Error Correction (FEC) schemes for spectral efficiency and link robustness.
• Extensive hands-on experience in RF systems design and SATCOM engineering.
• Familiarity with ground terminal design and satellite communication subsystems.
• Strong working knowledge of modulation schemes, link budgets, and antenna system performance.
• Experience with RF lab measurement tools and SDR platforms
• Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph (polygraph within the last ten (10) years).
• Willingness to travel up to 10%
• Prior experience supporting military or government communication systems.
• Knowledge of mesh networking, advanced waveform optimization, and spectrum management.
• Experience with digital IF, signal processing, and adaptive communications techniques.
• Familiarity with non-traditional RF sensing technologies and methodologies.

Desirable:

• Ability to lead or mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.
• Experience producing system documentation such as architectures, ICDs, and test reports.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across RF, networking, and system integration domains.
• Experience supporting system deployment, fielding, and operational sustainment.
• Ability to perform technical trade studies and make cost/performance design decisions.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity considerations for SATCOM and RF systems.
• Experience collaborating with vendors and external partners on hardware and integration efforts.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new satellite platforms, waveforms, and mission concepts.

Base Salary Range: $170,000 - $200,000 annually

HawkEye 360 offers a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus and benefits. We consider many factors when determining salary offers, such as candidate's work experience, education, training & skills, as well as market and business considerations. We are also open to considering candidates with experience and qualifications at a different level than required in a job posting, which may affect the compensation package offered.

Company Overview:

HawkEye 360 is equipping defense, intelligence, and national security leaders with mission-critical signals intelligence to enable faster, better decision making. By detecting, geolocating, and characterizing radio frequency emissions worldwide, HawkEye 360 delivers trusted domain awareness and early warning indicators to the US Government and allied partners. Our space-based collection, proprietary signal processing, and AI-powered analytics transform knowledge of RF spectrum into a strategic advantage. Proven by operational mission success, HawkEye 360 is redefining how signals intelligence strengthens national and global security.

HawkEye 360 is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

To all recruitment agencies: HawkEye 360 does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, HawkEye 360 employees or any other organization location. HawkEye 360 is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.