Principal RF Communications Engineer, Space

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

Principal RF Communications Engineer, SpaceAnduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a real-time, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.WHY WE'RE HEREAs a Principal Communications Engineer for our Space team, you own the understanding and design of all satellite communications subsystems to include but not limited to bus TT&C, mission data links and inter-satellite links. You will be responsible for possessing deep knowledge on RF and optical systems to include link budget ownership, subsystem design and the integration of NSA approved Type 1 encryption. You will be responsible for authoring space to ground ICD's and become familiar with Anduril's ground software enterprise and orbital flight software systems. The Spacecraft Comms team will work closely with related teams, such as the spacecraft design, ground, and flight software, etc., to help improve both the ground and satellite-based capabilities but above all else will be responsible for the successful design, test and operations of the various communications links onboard Anduril's fleet of spacecraft.This role is directly tied to ongoing, funded programs within Anduril's Space Business Line. The programs require building and fielding a resilient, software-defined spacecraft systems across numerous mission threads. We work with mission partners and customers to deploy reliable and robust capabilities on operationally-relevant fielding timelines to meet complex challenges across the DOD and IC.WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own the spacecraft communications subsystems for various spacecraft programs in all orbital regimes.
• Integrate with legacy systems to unlock 21st-century capabilities.
• Develop modern, software-defined approaches to autonomous spacecraft communications leveraging proliferated constellations of ground and space-based assets.
• Own space-to-ground and space-to-space ICDs and designs for communication subsystems.
• Collaborate across multiple teams to plan, build, and test complex functionality.
• Coordinate with end-users, other operators, and customers to turn needs into features while balancing user experience with engineering constraints.
• Support challenging schedules during ground testing, launch windows, and on-orbit operations of the spacecraft systems.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Strong engineering background from industry or school, ideally in areas/fields such as Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Computer Science, or other engineering degree.
  • Experience conducting spacecraft operations and satellite command and control with an emphasis on system reliability and uptime.
  • Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements.
  • Experience with RF subsystem design for space-space and space-ground in multiple orbital regimes.
  • Experience with optical inter-satellite and optical space-ground systems.
  • Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight.
  • Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material.
  • Must be eligible to obtain and hold a US DoD security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS with SCI).PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
    • Experience with Python, Go, C++ and/or Linux systems.
    • A desire to work on critical software and hardware designs in the space domain.
    • Experience testing comms subsystems in laboratory environments that mimic the space environmental constraints.
    • Experience with testing/validation leveraging FlatSats, Hardware-in-the-Loop testbeds and digital spacecraft simulators through nominal and fault scenarios.
    • Exposure to ground station operations and providers.
    • Exposure to US satellite operations policy and constraints for relevant mission threads in all orbits.BENEFITS
      • Platinum Benefits: We offer top-tier platinum coverage (medical, dental, vision, life) and cover 100 percent of the premiums for you.
      • 16 Weeks paid parental leave for all caregivers.
      • Family planning: We're proud to offer comprehensive family planning support. Fertility planning and treatment, adoption support, gestational carrier support, and fertility preservation are all included.
      • Unlimited Provisions: From breakfast to dinner, our kitchen team has you covered with healthy meals and snacks at every office.
      • Relocation assistance.
      • Unlimited and Incentivized Time Off.US Salary Range$182,000 - $273,000 USD. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees.Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.
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Keywords: Anduril Industries, Chino Hills , Principal RF Communications Engineer, Space, Engineering , Costa Mesa, California