Principal Systems Engineer (Ground Station Architect)

CesiumAstro is seeking an experienced Communication Systems Architect to lead the design and evolution of our end-to-end space and ground system architectures. This role is responsible for defining, integrating, and maintaining current and future architectures across satellite platforms, communications payloads, ground stations, and supporting software systems. As a principal-level individual contributor, you will work closely with engineering, product, program management, and business leadership to ensure architectural coherence, scalability, and alignment with customer and mission requirements. The ideal candidate brings deep experience across satellite systems, space communications, ground infrastructure, and software-enabled systems, along with the ability to operate at both strategic and implementation levels., * Design, develop, and maintain CesiumAstro’s end-to-end architecture spanning satellite platforms, communications payloads, ground stations, and associated software systems.

• Provide architectural leadership and frameworks for system definition, development, integration, verification, and lifecycle evolution.
• Translate customer, mission, and business requirements into clear system architectures, interfaces, and engineering specifications.
• Analyze interactions between satellites, payloads, ground infrastructure, networks, and software services, assessing the impact of design changes and new capabilities.
• Define and maintain accurate, complete, and accessible architecture documentation, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), system diagrams, and interface definitions.
• Partner with engineering and product teams to develop technology roadmaps, align development plans, and ensure cohesive integration across space and ground segments.
• Perform system-level analysis using modeling, simulation, data analysis, and trade studies to evaluate performance, cost, risk, and scalability.
• Lead technical evaluations of new capabilities, products, and architectures to deliver cost-effective, high-performance solutions aligned with customer and business objectives.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to solve complex technical challenges and support customer engagements.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical reviews, and strategic planning activities as needed.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team., * Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).

• 15-19 years of relevant experience in space systems, satellite communications, or related aerospace domains.
• Strong expertise in space system architectures, including satellite platforms, communications payloads, ground stations, and networked systems.
• Experience defining system-level requirements, interfaces, and performance metrics across complex, multi-domain architectures.
• Demonstrated experience developing and documenting CONOPS and system architectures for space missions.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in resource-constrained environments.
• U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work on ITAR-regulated programs., * Experience with satellite communications systems, including RF payloads, phased array antennas, and/or ground terminal architectures.
• Familiarity with digital signal processing, networking, and software-defined systems.
• Experience with cloud-based architectures, distributed systems, and virtualized environments.
• Background in modeling and simulation, system optimization, or advanced algorithm development.
• Experience working with government and/or commercial aerospace customers.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Stock options