Full-Time
RF Systems Engineer
Space Systems Integration
11-50 employees
Provides engineering services for space systems
Compensation Overview
$180k - $240k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Chantilly, VA, USA
In Person
Willing to travel up to 10%
US Top Secret Clearance Required
Master's
 Electrical Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field and 10 or more years of experience.
- 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 years).
- Willingness to travel up to 10%
- Perform end-to-end RF systems engineering, including link budget analysis, signal propagation studies, 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.
- Apply knowledge of mesh networking concepts such as dynamic routing, frequency reuse, and latency optimization.
- Design, develop, and integrate ground terminal systems including RF front-ends, BUCs, LNBs, antennas, modems, and related hardware.
- Analyze and optimize waveforms including QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, and Forward Error Correction (FEC) schemes for spectral efficiency and link robustness.
- Apply antenna theory and design principles to phased arrays, parabolic reflectors, flat panel antennas, and systems requiring beam steering, polarization control, and precision tracking.
- Collaborate on network protocol integration, ensuring smooth interoperability between SATCOM and terrestrial TCP/IP, VLAN, and QoS-based infrastructures.
- Operate and interpret results from RF lab test equipment, including spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and related diagnostic tools.
- Utilize Software Defined Radios (SDRs) and digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) architectures in both development and troubleshooting roles.
- 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.
Space Systems Integration provides engineering services in Northern Virginia, focusing on space systems and related programs. The company works by offering engineering support, systems integration, and technical services to government and defense projects. It differentiates itself through its emphasis on space systems and its location in the Northern Virginia region, which positions it to work closely with government agencies and defense contractors. The goal is to deliver reliable engineering solutions that help customers plan, build, and integrate space-related systems and programs.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chantilly, Virginia
Founded
2005
Get referred to Space Systems Integration
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- SSI's careers page was updated July 2026, signaling active hiring demand.
- The company website and employee spotlights refreshed in 2026, suggesting ongoing operational momentum.
- A $3.86 million Air Force order in 2025 proves continuing clearance-driven technical relevance.
What critics are saying
- AFRL awarded SSHINE to Vantage Analytical in July 2026, bypassing SSI.
- Federal contracting concentration leaves SSI exposed to recompetes and budget resets each award cycle.
- No recent public funding or product moat exists; losing one prime agency relationship hurts badly.
What makes Space Systems Integration unique
- SSI holds a GSA Multiple Award Schedule, supporting repeat federal engineering sales.
- Its 2026 website emphasizes space systems integration, technical management, and flight experimentation.
- A 2025 Air Force delivery order named SSI office technical agent work.
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