Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Specialist

Job ID: 2507443

Location: EL SEGUNDO, CA, US

Date Posted: 2025-07-14

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Minimum Clearance Required: TS/SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: TS/SCI with Poly

Potential for Remote Work: No

Description

SAIC's Horizon program is seeking a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Specialist to support the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) mission of developing and fielding dominant space capabilities via the Program Executive Office for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power (SDACP). The position is available in El Segundo, California. In this position you will get the opportunity to develop, acquire, and field next generation satellite communication systems for the United States Space Force (USSF) and its partners.

The Horizon program provides engineering development and integration expertise in support of various capabilities that protect and defend the Nation's most valuable space assets. Our team serves at the forefront of this mission area, advising and assisting the Government with their architecture and full lifecycle systems engineering processes that enable capability delivery to meet warfighter needs.

JOB DUTIES:

• Architect, analyze, implement, validate, and optimize emerging, state of the art SATCOM technologies (e.g., laser optical communication, phased array antennas, advanced modulation techniques) for end-to-end communications between USSF Satellite Operations Centers (SOC) and space vehicles.
• Provide technical oversight of development efforts (i.e., design, development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, test, production and sustainment), whether they are traditional acquisition methods (e.g., waterfall, spiral) or agile/prototype.
• Develop operational concepts, requirements, and architectural designs; evolve system architectures, conduct and analyze requirements flow down, propose verification methodologies and risk mitigation approaches for communications solutions.
• Provide architectural guidance for cloud-based network infrastructure.
• Coordinate with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and commercial providers to establish terrestrial communications between the SOC and SATCOM Ground Entry Points.
• Perform network assessments and impact analyses to ensure robustness and security.
• Ensure network solutions meet accreditation requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science, Network Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field and nine (9) years or more experience with:
• Optics, photonics, electrical engineering, and hands-on experience in communications systems design, building, and testing.
• Free-space optical communications systems, digital communications systems, link budgets, and relevant software tools.
• Cloud-based solutions and cloud architecture (e.g., Ground Segment as a Service, Antenna as a Service).
• Network protocols and security (e.g., TCP, UDP, QAM, OFDM, FEC, AES).
• Transmission Security (TRANSEC), Communications Security (COMSEC), and Risk Management Framework (RMF).
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI), adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrolled in the Continuous Evaluation program (if applicable).
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartment Information and Special Access Programs and willing to consent to a Polygraph examination.

Desired Skills:

• Advanced degree in engineering, science or related technical field, with at least seven (7) years' experience.
• Experience within the National Security Space and, or the Space Control mission area.
• Experience working in development environment and, or U.S. Government weapons system program office.
• Professional certification (e.g., Professional Engineer, INCOSE CSEP, ITEA CTEP, Agile PM/PO, etc.).

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.