Communications Systems Engineer, RF; Satellite, Ground Terminals & Military User Equipment

Job Overview

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a Communications Systems Engineer with a strong background in RF systems for satellite, ground terminal, and military user equipment applications to join our team in El Segundo, CA. The ideal candidate will have expertise in conducting detailed link budget analyses, developing complex communication scenarios, and working with both MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM systems. You will play a crucial role in the full lifecycle of communication system development, from requirements definition and technical analysis through design, modeling, validation, and integration.

This includes a special focus on the integration and interoperability of military user terminals to ensure robust and reliable performance for mission‑critical applications.

As part of the MILSATCOM Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (MSEIT) effort, you will support the Air Force’s acquisition of state‑of‑the‑art Military Satellite Communications systems, delivering global secure, survivable, and protected communications for our nation’s warfighters. The work will be highly collaborative, within small teams, and will use modern tools and methodologies to address the challenges of integrating complex space and ground communications systems.

• Requirements Development & Management: Elicit, analyze, define, and manage technical requirements for satellite communication systems and ground terminals, translating high‑level operational needs into detailed, verifiable system specifications. This includes a deep understanding of warfighter needs related to user equipment.
• Technical Analysis & Trade Studies: Conduct comprehensive technical analyses and trade studies to evaluate design alternatives, assess performance feasibility, and make data‑driven recommendations for optimal system solutions, considering constraints imposed by military user terminals.
• RF Systems Design and Analysis: Design and analyze end‑to‑end RF communication systems, including satellite payloads and ground terminals, to meet mission requirements, with a focus on seamless integration with military user equipment to existing SATCOM solutions.
• Link Budget Analysis: Develop and maintain detailed link budgets for satellite communication links, performing margin assessments and optimizing system performance based on modulation schemes, coding, and environmental factors, with specific consideration for user equipment performance.
• Scenario Modeling: Create and simulate realistic communication scenarios to evaluate system performance under various conditions, including signal impairments, interference, and atmospheric effects, particularly as they impact deployed user terminals.
• MILSATCOM/COMSATCOM Expertise: Apply in‑depth knowledge of military and commercial SATCOM systems, including specific constellations (e.g., WGS, AEHF, MUOS) and standards, to develop and integrate solutions, particularly with respect to the user terminal segment.
• Military User Equipment Integration: Analyze and evaluate the performance of various military user terminals (airborne, ground, maritime), ensuring interoperability and compatibility within the overall communication architecture.
• System Integration and Testing: Support the integration, verification, and validation of communication equipment and software. Develop and execute test plans for lab and field evaluations of ground and space components, including specific tests for military user equipment over satellite systems.
• Ground Terminal Support: Provide technical expertise on ground terminal architecture and design, including antennas, RF front‑ends, modems, and data processing, ensuring compatibility with the military user terminal ecosystem.
• Architecture Development: Participate in the definition of system architectures and interfaces, ensuring modularity, scalability, and compatibility across system components, from the space layer to the tactical user.
• Anomalies and Troubleshooting: Investigate and resolve system anomalies, performance discrepancies, and technical issues throughout the system lifecycle, often involving user equipment in deployed scenarios.
• Technical…