Principal RF Ground Systems & Anchor Station Engineer
On-siteReston, Virginia, United States
Job Summary
Principal RF Ground System & Anchor Station Engineer responsible for the design, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment of RF ground systems and anchor stations for a major U.S. Government GEO satellite program in a GOCO environment. Lead RF architecture development, feeder link connectivity, TT&C implementation, and operational readiness across the full ground segment lifecycle. Collaborate with spacecraft providers, network teams, cybersecurity, and mission operators; develop ICDs and technical baselines; coordinate factory, site, and end-to-end testing; lead troubleshooting and root-cause analyses; ensure availability, redundancy, and disaster recovery; provide technical oversight of anchor station reliability and cybersecurity. Requires deep expertise in satellite communications, ground infrastructure, and mission-critical operations; strong leadership and ability to communicate complex solutions to government customers and senior leadership. Active U.S. Secret clearance (Top Secret/SCI preferred) and experience with Ka/X-band and DoD SATCOM architectures are strongly preferred.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, RF Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 12+ years of experience in satellite communications, RF systems engineering, or ground segment development
- Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, testing, or operating satellite RF ground systems
- Extensive experience with GEO satellite communications architectures and associated ground infrastructure
- Active U.S. Secret clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred
- Experience leading technical activities across multiple engineering disciplines and contractor organizations
- Experience with Ka-band, X-band, or other high-capacity satellite communications ground systems
- Experience with DoD SATCOM architectures, gateway operations, and resilient communications networks
- Strong technical leadership and independent problem-solving skills
- Ability to translate operational needs into practical engineering solutions
- Experience supporting launch campaigns, LEOP, and transition to operational service
- Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for space ground systems, including RMF and Zero Trust principles
- Experience with RF test equipment, antenna characterization, PIM testing, and interference mitigation techniques
- Experience with geographically distributed anchor station networks and redundant ground architectures
- Experience with SES/Intelsat RF ground segment architectures, anchor station infrastructure, and operational ground systems supporting GEO satellite command, control, and mission operations
- Familiarity with SES/Intelsat ground control software, satellite fleet management tools, and operational processes used for telemetry monitoring, command operations, mission planning, and on-orbit satellite support
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, RF Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- 12+ years of experience in satellite communications, RF systems engineering, or ground segment development
- Demonstrated experience designing, integrating, testing, or operating satellite RF ground systems
- Extensive experience with GEO satellite communications architectures and ground infrastructure
- Active U.S. Secret clearance required; Top Secret/SCI preferred
- Experience leading technical activities across multiple engineering disciplines and contractor organizations
- Experience with Ka-band, X-band, or other high-capacity satellite communications ground systems
- Experience with DoD SATCOM architectures, gateway operations, and resilient communications networks
- Strong technical leadership and independent problem-solving skills
- Ability to translate operational needs into practical engineering solutions
- Experience supporting launch campaigns, early orbit operations (LEOP), and transition to operational service
- Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for space ground systems, including RMF and Zero Trust principles
- Experience with RF test equipment, antenna characterization, PIM testing, and interference mitigation techniques
- Experience with geographically distributed anchor station networks and redundant ground architectures
- Experience with SES/Intelsat RF ground segment architectures, anchor station infrastructure, and operational ground systems supporting GEO satellite command, control, and mission operations
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