RF Systems Engineer

SSI is seeking an RF Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA, to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) services to a Government Intelligence Community (IC) customer. In this position, you will support advanced satellite communications and ground terminal solutions. This role requires deep technical expertise in RF systems engineering, SATCOM, and network integration to enable resilient, high-performance communication systems for mission-critical applications.

Key Requirements

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related field and (ten) 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 (10) years).
• Willingness to travel up to 10%

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.