We are building, iterating, and getting to space—fast. Our team thrives on action. We leverage deep experience in the space industry with engineering reimagined for speed and agility. We design, test, and deploy real systems that fly. If you want to own critical communications for a satellite mission, keep reading.
We’re looking for builders, problem-solvers, and system thinkers. We are seeking a Senior Communication Engineer II to lead the end-to-end integration and verification of communication functions for our communication payload products. This highly technical role combines deep domain expertise in communication systems with hands-on integration and test execution and technical leadership responsibilities.
You will play a critical role in the architecture definition, execution, and delivery of our communication payload products leading requirement definitions, contributing to algorithm development, driving Special Test Equipment (STE) design, and owning verification and final sell-off. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy and provide technical leadership across integration and verification activities.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the development of Cesium Astro’s Communication System and Subsystems Integration and Tests and validate space systems requirements and interfaces.
- Collaborate with System Engineering processes for requirements management, flow down, and traceability.
- Lead selection and definition modem configuration
- Lead selection and definition of data layer configuration
- Own lab and equipment strategy, including management and optimization, and guiding key equipment purchase decisions.
- Architect and Develop Communication test systems and collaborate with System Engineering developing test plans, and implementation of test plans and procedures.
- Lead execution of verification/validation tests, ensuring completeness, quality, and traceability of results; present findings to key stakeholders.
- Work closely with design teams to verify and evaluate system level performance.
- Independently draw conclusions from test results, debug complex system-level issues, and provide actionable feedback to design and verification teams.
- Adapt and optimize test plans based on evolving hardware/software capabilities and test infrastructure constraints.
- Design and oversee time-synchronized test setups using signal generators and spectrum analyzers to validate timing budgets.
- Thrive in a fast-paced startup environment and take ownership of critical test systems for leading-edge satellite communication systems.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers; establish best practices for integration and verification
- Drive continuous improvement in test methodologies, automation, and lab infrastructure
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree (MS) or higher degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited university or institution, or equivalent experience
- Minimum 5-7 years relevant job experience
- Very strong background in Communication theory.
- Experience with and understanding of satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS).
- Hands-on experience with lab instruments such as digital oscilloscopes, multimeters, source measurement units, RF signal generators, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers (VNAs), and vector signal analyzers
- Hands-on experience in developing hardware and measurement abstraction layers, and test automation setups using basic scripting and SW development with common programming/scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, etc.)
- Good understanding of RF and mixed-signal hardware (e.g. amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas) and its impact on system performance and test design
- Proficient in performing measurements and data analysis including S-parameters, AM/PM, compression, noise figure, harmonics/spurious emission, phase noise, switching speed, bit error rate, adjacent channel power, linearity, EVM and group delay
- Hands-on experience with designing test setups and working in anechoic chambers for antenna systems evaluation
- Proven experience designing and leading complex test setups and integration efforts
- Experience independently debugging complex system-level issues and driving resolution across teams
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of satellite and wireless communication systems and protocols
- Experience in wireless synchronization and parameter sensing techniques
- Familiarity with phased array antenna architectures and array calibration
- Prior experience in technical leadership, mentorship, or leading small engineering teams
Skills Required
- U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, or eligible for required U.S. Department of State authorizations
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline or equivalent experience
- Minimum 5-7 years relevant experience
- Strong background in communication theory
- Experience with satellite-communications standards (NR NTN, DVB-S2x, CCSDS)
- Hands-on experience with lab instruments: digital oscilloscopes, multimeters, source measurement units, RF signal generators, spectrum analyzers, VNAs, vector signal analyzers
- Hands-on experience developing hardware and measurement abstraction layers and test automation using scripting/programming (Python, MATLAB)
- Understanding of RF and mixed-signal hardware (amplifiers, filters, ADCs/DACs, antennas) and impact on system performance
- Proficiency in measurements and data analysis (S-parameters, AM/PM, compression, noise figure, harmonics/spurious emission, phase noise, switching speed, BER, adjacent channel power, linearity, EVM, group delay)
- Hands-on experience designing test setups and working in anechoic chambers for antenna evaluation
- Proven experience designing and leading complex test setups and integration efforts
- Experience independently debugging complex system-level issues and driving cross-team resolution
- Technical leadership and mentorship responsibilities (leading integration/verification activities)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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