RF Systems Engineer III

Company Overview:

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities:

What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is seeking a talented RF Systems Engineer III who is ready to take an exciting step in their professional career. As an RF Systems Engineer III you’ll be responsible for identifying and independently delivering high-quality work as it relates to the development and implementation of innovative system engineering solutions for several Iridium projects. In this role, you will be part of a team who is responsible for radio frequency (RF) and communications analysis, generation of system requirements and their allocation, and providing inputs for system architecture designs. You will also play a role in providing technical knowledge throughout the entire life cycle of Iridium projects. As an RF Systems Engineer III, you will interact with a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, mentor junior engineers, as well as work with various Iridium engineering teams such as Operations, Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V), Systems Engineering, and Software Development. If you’re enthusiastic about joining an innovative team of engineers, then we want to talk to you!

What You’ll Do:

Be responsible for performing radio frequency (RF) analysis for Iridium communications systems related to coverage areas, link margins, intermodulation products, overall RF environment, and impacts of internal and external interference sources

Work independently to define and document RF communication system requirements

Design RF communication systems that meet requirements

Develop and test RF communication systems

Analyze data and conduct technical feasibility analysis and trade studies for the optimization of the Iridium satellite spectral resources

Identify, define, and develop interfaces between system segments

Work independently to perform system top-level architecture design

Translate customer requirements into top-level system requirements and allocate to appropriate segments

Develop and execute process/procedure/program training and documentation materials, and support project management documentation

Participate in implementation tracking and non-conformance resolution

Play a role in briefing summaries of project results, issues tracking, and reporting to management

Mentor and review work of junior engineers

Interact with external agencies and organizations to represent Iridium’s network and regulatory position

Generate documentation for system functional specifications and various review meetings such as Systems Requirements Review (SRR) meetings, Preliminary Design Review (PDR) meetings, and Critical Design Review (CDR) meetings

Experience & Education Requirements / EEO:

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or other engineering discipline

5+ years of relevant experience with RF and antennas in the communications industry, preferably with complex communications satellite systems

Proficiency with standard office/engineering tools required (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, STK, MATLAB) or other tools for modeling and analyzing RF systems

Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues

Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions or come up with solutions

Be comfortable managing upward, including being a proactive communicator and asking for help when needed

Have confidence and be able to establish valuable relationships with others

Must be able to prioritize key tasks and have a strong sense of ownership over your work

Be active in seeking out ways to continuously improve yourself and gain new knowledge

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

Background in the fundamentals of RF communications principles related to Mobile Satellite communications (RF, link budgets, noise figures, noise power ratio, power amplifier performance, antennas, coverages, etc.)

Knowledge of RF passive and active components in relation to satellite or ground operations

Experience characterizing radio performance at microwave frequencies

Knowledge of digital communication systems, spread spectrum, single and multi-carrier techniques, modulation types such as PSK, APSK, QAM

Understanding of electromagnetic propagation and antenna systems

Knowledge of RF transceiver architectures

Basic knowledge of systems engineering best practices

Familiarity with Tool Suite such as R4J, Jira and Confluence

Master’s degree in electrical engineering with emphasis in RF/microwave circuits or communication theory

We’ll also need you to:

Be able to travel up to 10%

Be able to work in the office at least 3 days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders

Be a US Citizen with no dual citizenships

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse and printer. For meetings in person, this position will need to be able stand, walk within the office and climb stairs on occasion.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.

Permanent