> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1795360-principal-spacecraft-communication-systems-engineer-i](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1795360-principal-spacecraft-communication-systems-engineer-i). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Principal Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer I

- **Company:** Cesiumastro Inc
- **Location:** Westminster, CO, United States
- **Experience:** Starter
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Adobe InDesign, Systems Engineering, System Configuration, Radio-Frequency Identification, Computer Networking Systems, Computer Network Operations
- **Published:** July 14, 2026
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/CesiumAstro/bc66d334-b7a5-4f73-b1ff-5db47822182e/apply?lever-origin=applied&lever-source%5B%5D=BuiltInNationwide

## About the Role

* You're an RF Systems Expert - You understand how to design, analyze, and operate spaceborne communication links.
 * You Think in Link Budgets - You can balance power, bandwidth, protocols and noise to ensure reliable space-to-ground connectivity. You can answer "what's the link budget" with thorough analysis, EbN0, EsN0, or effective data rate given a variety of conditions.
 * Extensive and practical experience with crypto-From COMSEC plan development, key management to system trouble shooting you have applied, on the ground experience.
 * You Understand Satellites - You know how comms fit into the broader mission, from flight software integration to ground operations
 * Independent self-starter - You are comfortable identifying problems and using your expertise to find solutions.
 * You Move Fast - You can prototype, test, and iterate quickly, focusing on what's needed to get a mission off the ground., * Bachelor's degree in electrical engineeringor a related field
 * A minimum of 9 years of experience with emphasis on satellite communications, RF system engineering, or related fields
 * Expertise in design, verification, and operation of satellite communication links
 * Strong understanding of link budget analysis, modulation schemes, and ground station interfaces
 * Hands-on experience configuring and testing ground station equipment and space-qualified radios and antennas
 * Practical understanding of how space links fail, why, and how to fix them before they break
 * Ability to define and implement communication system CONOPS for nominal and emergency operations
 * Experience with satellite communication link licensing and regulatory compliance (ITU/FCC)

## Description

We are designing, building, and launching 8 new satellites in the next four years. They are BIG and super capable RF payload rideshare SmallSats. Our launches are already secured. Our in-house test facilities are built.If you want to own critical communications for these LEO communications satellites and then have the chance to iterate and improve your design at a rapidly growing tech company, this is your chance.
We're looking for builders, problem-solvers, and system thinkers. As a Spacecraft Communication Systems Engineer, you will own the design, configuration, and operation of the satellite's space-to-ground communication links. You will define how the satellite communicates with the ground in both nominal and off-nominal conditions, ensuring reliable command, telemetry, and fault recovery.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in systems engineering, expertise with both space-based communication payloads and ground terminals, and proven ability to coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams., * Own the RF Link - Model, analyze and maintain the satellite's link budget, modulation and coding, ensuring reliable communications from space to ground for all RF links

 * Own End-to-End Encryption-Architect hardware-based crypto solutions for flight hardware, manage pass-throughs and end points for users and operations
 * Manage Ground Stations-Strong understanding of ground station and network operations with the ability to troubleshoot issues with commercial providers and on-site terminals
 * Develop Operational Concepts - Define how the radios are used in different mission phases, including contingency operations and emergency recovery
 * Integrate & Test - Own the RF link test campaign and work with flight software and ground teams to validate end-to-end communication link performance, from antenna to command center
 * Solve Hard Problems - Optimize low-SWaP communications, mitigate interference, and ensure robust, fail-safe links, Manage design and delivery of reusable, AI-ready data products for retail-banking portfolios. Develop interoperable data-engineering artifacts, enable self-service analytics, maintain data marketplace, oversee data policies, integrity, budgeting, stakeholder alignment, and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Top Skills, Business IntelligenceData AnalyticsData ArchitectureData GovernanceData ScienceData WarehousingMachine Learning
Spectrum


## Related Videos

- [What I learned as a developer from accidents in space](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/642-what-i-learned-as-a-developer-from-accidents-in-space)
- [Model Based Systems Engineering in an Agile Product Development Process](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/68-model-based-systems-engineering-in-an-agile-product-development-process)
- [Enterprise Linux as Container Images](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1610-enterprise-linux-as-container-images)
- [You’re a great coder? That alone won’t get you far: The soft skills secret in IT success](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1076-you-re-a-great-coder-that-alone-won-t-get-you-far-the-soft-skills-secret-in-it-success)
- [Automated Driving - Why is it so hard to introduce](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/628-automated-driving-why-is-it-so-hard-to-introduce)
- [Beyond Chat: AI Workflows That Actually Investigate Alerts (So You Don't Have To Know Everything)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100308-beyond-chat-ai-workflows-that-actually-investigate-alerts-so-you-don-t-have-to-know-everything)

## Related Articles

- [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing)
- [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)
- [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers)
- [Dev Digest 138 - Are you secure about this?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/486-dev-digest-138-are-you-secure-about-this)
- [Dev Digest 129 - Now that's what I call private data!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/468-dev-digest-129-now-that-s-what-i-call-private-data)
- [7 Important Tips That Every Software Developer Should Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/101-7-important-tips-that-every-software-developer-should-know)