SATCOM Systems Engineer

At Thin Kom, we don’t just build antennas - we design high-performance, next-generation mechanical systems that connect the world across air, land, sea, and space. From Inflight Connectivity (IFC) to High-Power Microwave (HPM) systems to Defense SATCOM, our technology operates in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

We are looking for a SATCOM Systems Engineer to lead the end-to-end systems engineering for our advanced satellite communications antenna platforms, with an emphasis on RF link performance, system architecture, and regulatory/customer compliance. In this role, you will define system- and subsystem-level architectures, establish requirements baselines, and drive cross-functional engineering teams (RF, electrical, mechanical, and software) through design, verification, and certification.

Working within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) under the direction of the Director of Systems Engineering and assigned Program Managers, you will serve as the technical authority for link budgets, RF chain trade studies, compliance matrices, and terminal-level risk management across GEO, MEO, and LEO programs.

• Define system- and subsystem-level architectures for SATCOM antenna platforms, with primary responsibility for sizing and integrating the end-to-end RF chain.
• Perform comprehensive link budget, RF cascade, and adjacent-satellite interference analyses; benchmark Thin Kom platforms against competing terminal architectures.
• Conduct engineering trade studies to guide architectural decisions, component selection, and terminal performance optimizations.
• Identify, assess, and track technical risks and implement structured mitigation plans throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Requirements Flowdown & Customer Compliance:
• Author, maintain, and baseline system and subsystem specifications; flow requirements down to hardware, software, and mechanical teams with full traceability through verification.
• Interface directly with commercial customers, military end-users, and satellite network operators to interpret technical specifications, resolve interface ambiguities, and demonstrate formal compliance.
• Develop and maintain customer compliance matrices, tracking adherence to commercial and military satellite terminal standards (e.g., MIL-STD-188 series, ARINC, ITU/FCC regulations).
• Partner with multidisciplinary engineering teams to transition system concepts into production designs, resolving multi-domain technical issues as they arise.
• Collaborate with key RF and electronic component vendors to evaluate Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment, establish source specifications, and resolve technical queries.
• Formulate system-level test, verification, and certification plans in support of formal terminal qualification and operator network approvals.
• Prepare and present technical design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and trade-study findings to internal leadership, partners, and external customers.
• Support multiple concurrent flight, ground, or mobile terminal programs while adhering to company design procedures and configuration management policies.

Must-Haves:

• Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s in Systems Engineering or Communication Systems preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of direct systems engineering experience in satellite communications.
• Link Budget Expertise: Proven track record closing satellite link budgets and sizing apertures using satellite EIRP and G/T on operational GEO, MEO, or LEO satellite programs (
  
  Note:
  
  terrestrial wireless link analysis alone does not meet this requirement).
• RF Chain…