RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking

100% Onsite in Houston, TX U.S. Citizenship or US Permanent Residency Required

We have an exciting opportunity for a RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking to join the team.

The RF Systems Engineer for Communications & Tracking will:

Serve as a RF Systems Engineer for the Communication and Tracking sub-systems of the Gateway and Exploration programs, a critical integration effort of the NASA Program which will return to the Moon

Write Radio Frequency communication subsystem level Interface Requirements Documents (IRD), Verification Requirements (VRs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for spacecrafts. Review IRDs, ICDs and component level requirements (Transponders, Transceivers, baseband processors)

Review Link and network layer protocols implemented on communication systems based on CCSDS recommendations

Determine the performance of Radio Frequency communication links and create link budgets using analytical methods, analysis and simulations

Actively participate and contribute to Systems Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary & Critical Design Reviews, and Technical Interchange Meetings

Perform Radio Frequency interference & compatibility analysis, Power Flux Density analysis, Spectral analysis for Space based communication systems

Assist and support NASA RF communication sub system manager with reviews, meetings and be the technical Point of Contact

Represent JSC and interface with other NASA centers, federal agencies and commercial partners

Perform analysis using software such as Matlab, Simulink and Excel

Other duties as required Requisition Qualifications:

This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate's experience, requirements, and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.

Typically requires a bachelor's degree in Engineering and a minimum of 2-5 years of experience in the field or in a related area.

On location position - situational telework only

Must have completed college level RF Communications coursework

Strong analytical skills in RF communications

Strong knowledge of communication systems such as digital modulation, demodulation, encoding/decoding, spread spectrum signals, signal detection, data formatting and packetizing

Excellent communication and organizational skills along with the ability to work in a team environment

Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation Requisition Preferences:

A BS degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited engineering school

Experience with NASA processes

Knowledge in antennas, RF propagation and network layer protocols

Familiar with CCSDS communication standards

Knowledge of Pseudo noise (PN) Ranging, forward error correction such as LDPC, radiometric (range and range rate) calculations, Orbital Dynamics

Programming languages such as C/C++ and Python