Communications Systems Engineer - SBG

SBG Technology Solutions, Inc. (SBG), a DSS, Inc. company, offers Systems Engineering, Enterprise Modernization, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and IT Governance innovation to Federal and commercial clients nationwide. The ideal candidates for these positions are experienced individuals who are hard working with the ability to excel in a challenging, fast-paced government contractor environment.

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly skilled Communications Systems Engineer with extensive experience in RF and satellite communications (SATCOM) to support system design, integration, and performance analysis for advanced space and ground communication programs. This position is ideal for an engineer with a strong understanding of MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM architectures and a passion for developing mission-critical solutions that serve the warfighter community.

You will work on-site in a secure environment in El Segundo, CA, collaborating with cross-functional engineering and government teams to design, test, and optimize communication systems that connect space, ground, and tactical user equipment.

The Communications Systems Engineer will:

• Requirements Development & Management: Define, analyze, and manage technical requirements for SATCOM systems and ground terminals, translating operational needs into verifiable system specifications.

• Technical Analysis & Trade Studies: Perform detailed technical analyses and trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, system feasibility, and performance trade-offs.

• RF Systems Design & Analysis: Design and analyze end-to-end RF communication systems (space and ground segments) to meet mission requirements and ensure seamless user equipment integration.

• Link Budget Analysis: Develop and maintain detailed link budgets, perform margin analyses, and optimize system performance considering modulation, coding, and environmental factors.

• Scenario Modeling: Simulate communication scenarios to evaluate system behavior under real-world conditions such as interference and atmospheric effects.

• MILSATCOM/COMSATCOM Expertise: Apply technical knowledge of WGS, AEHF, MUOS, and other constellations to support system development and integration.

• Military User Equipment Integration: Evaluate the performance of airborne, ground, and maritime user terminals to ensure interoperability within the overall communication architecture.

• System Integration & Testing: Develop test plans, execute lab and field evaluations, and verify performance of communication hardware and software components.

• Ground Terminal Support: Provide expertise on ground terminal architectures including antennas, RF front-ends, modems, and data processing systems.

• Architecture Development: Contribute to system architecture definition, ensuring modularity, scalability, and cross-layer compatibility.

• Troubleshooting & Anomaly Resolution: Investigate and resolve technical issues affecting performance, including those impacting deployed user terminals.

• Technical Documentation: Produce system specifications, test procedures, interface control documents (ICDs), and analysis reports.

• Collaboration: Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, mission planners, and government stakeholders to deliver integrated communication solutions.

The preceding functions are examples of the work performed by employees assigned to this job classification.  Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments and make a reasonable accommodation as needed.

• 12+ years of experience in communications systems engineering, with an emphasis on RF and SATCOM systems.

• Strong understanding of RF principles, antenna systems, and digital signal processing.

• Proven experience across the systems engineering lifecycle—requirements, design, verification, and validation.

• Proficiency with link budget tools and simulation environments (e.g., STK, MATLAB, Python).

• Experience with MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM architectures (LEO, MEO, GEO).

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Desired:

• Direct experience with military user terminals (AN/PRC, AN/MRC series, SATCOM On-the-Move).

• Familiarity with terminal certification standards (JITC, MIL-STD-188-164C, MIL-STD-188-165B)

• Experience with RF test equipment (spectrum/network analyzers, signal generators).

• Knowledge of secure communications systems, cryptographic equipment, and IA requirements.

• Experience with MBSE tools and Agile collaboration platforms (Jira, Confluence).

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Education

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

Preferred 

• Master's degree

Compensation

Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $130,000.00 to $170,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of SBG's total compensation package for employees.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

 SBG, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you need an accommodation seeking employment with SBG, Inc., please email recruiting@sbgts.com or call (703) 299-9093. Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.