Be an Early Applicant
CesiumAstro creates out-of-the-box communication systems for space and airborne platforms.
The Role
Lead development of space communications architectures and subsystems for satellites and aerospace platforms. Define requirements, CONOPS, link budgets, modem/data-layer configurations, perform trade studies, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage vendor integration, risk reduction, and support proposal development and system engineering processes.
Summary Generated by Built In
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
We are looking to add a Principal Communication System Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge phased arrays for satellites, spacecraft, and aerospace systems, we would like to hear from you.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering, experience in space technology, and the ability to be the technical point of contact for our communication programs. In this position, you will lead the development of space architecture concepts, sub-system design, payload design, requirements development, analysis and decomposition, high-level software and hardware system architecture design, concept of operations (CONOPS) development, and risk assessment. You will coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams, raise issues at the program level, and drive complex programs to success.
The successful candidate will communicate effectively with team members and internal stakeholders, both verbally and through written content.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Evaluate mission needs to define requirements, integrate technical parameters, and assure compatibility of all physical, functional and program interfaces.
- Derive mission ConOps for space vehicle and constellation level architectures.
- Support reviews of requests for proposals to support solution development and response.
- Lead trade studies to optimize system architecture.
- Define and validate space system requirements and interfaces.
- Develop and direct technical concept development in support of proposals.
- Lead development of space architecture concepts, sub-system design, payload design, ground station design, requirements development, analysis and decomposition, hardware system design, Link budget studies, gain line up, cascade analysis, array simulation studies, concept of operations (CONOPS) development, and risk reduction.
- Select and define modem configuration.
- Select and define data layer configuration.
- Participate in developing system engineering processes for requirements management, flow down, and traceability.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
- 11+ years of experience in space communications.
- Very strong background in communication theory.
- Deep understanding of RF concept, impairments, and the resulting impacts.
- Background and practical experience with FPGA & modern vector processing engines.
- Experience with and understanding of satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS).
- Experience with at least one scripting and one programming language (ideally Python & C++).
- Experience working with product/component developers and vendors who provide critical functionality to the overall system.
- Experience working with classified systems and red/black architectures for communications.
- Experience with optical communications systems.
- Ability to hold a security clearance.
- Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
- Ability to define work direction, track milestones, and demonstrate progress on large open-ended projects.
- Sense of urgency, with the ability to work well under pressure.
- The ability to work well in teams, with peers and management.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
Skills Required
- U.S. person status or eligibility to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, or refugee).
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
- 11+ years of experience in space communications.
- Very strong background in communication theory.
- Deep understanding of RF concepts, impairments, and impacts.
- Background and practical experience with FPGA and modern vector processing engines.
- Experience with satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS).
- Experience with at least one scripting and one programming language (ideally Python and C++).
- Experience working with product/component developers and vendors providing critical system functionality.
- Experience working with classified systems and red/black architectures for communications.
- Experience with optical communications systems.
- Ability to hold a security clearance.
- Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
- Ability to define work direction, track milestones, and demonstrate progress on large open-ended projects.
- Ability to work well under pressure and collaboratively in teams.
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
-
Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
CesiumAstro Insights
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
Gallery
