RF Systems Engineer II

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:

Are you a space enthusiast with a passion for cutting-edge technology and a desire to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry? We have an exciting opportunity for you! Iridium is seeking a motivated RF Systems Engineer to join our Strategic Government Programs Systems Engineering Team. As an RF Systems Engineer II, you will autonomously complete tasks as it relates to radio frequency (RF) and communications analysis, generation of system requirements and their allocation, and providing inputs for system architecture designs. You will develop skills to provide technical knowledge throughout the entire life cycle of Iridium projects and you will interact with engineers across a multi-disciplinary team that include Operations, Integration, Verification, and Validation (IV&V), Systems Engineering, and Software Development. You will thrive in this role if you are looking to take your engineering career to the next level.

What You’ll Do:

Assist with 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

Assist in defining and documenting RF communication system requirements

Work collaboratively with the team on designing, developing, and testing RF communication systems through simulation and modeling

Assist with performing simulation and modeling of terrestrial and orbital communication systems

Provide support in analyzing system performance data and conducting technical feasibility analysis and trade studies for the optimization of the Iridium satellite spectral resources

Work collaboratively with others to identify, define, and develop interfaces between system segments

Work with the team to perform system top-level architecture design and specifications

Assist in translating customer requirements for RF Links and RF/Antenna subsystems into top-level system requirements and allocate to appropriate segments

Collaborate with system architects, RF engineers, antenna engineers, modem/Digital Signal Processing (DSP), and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) engineers to partition functions between hardware and software domains

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

Assist with generating 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

2+ 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 clearly present information and ideas to others

Have confidence and be able to easily build meaningful relationships with your manager and members of your team

Must be able to prioritize your tasks, be self-aware enough to identify and correct mistakes, and not be afraid to ask for help when needed

Be active in seeking out ways to improve yourself and gain new knowledge, and be enthusiastic in sharing knowledge with others

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