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Principal Communications System Test Engineer Verification and Validation

CesiumAstro

Job Location:

Austin, TX - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 7 October 2026 (Yesterday)

Application Deadline: 4 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Please Note:To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations the applicant must be a U.S. citizen lawful permanent resident of the U.S. conditional resident asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

AtCesiumAstro we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites UAVs launch vehicles and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment which allows us to learn develop and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on interactive and autonomous work CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate collaborative energetic and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.

We are looking to add a Principal Communication System Engineer II to our team. If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing leading-edge phased arrays for satellites spacecraft and aerospace systems we would like to hear from you.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in space communications systems engineering and hands-on RF and digital communication system this position you will serve as the technical lead for system integration test verification and validation with responsibility for demonstrating that our communication systems meet performance requirements and support their intended mission operations.

You will own the test strategy from early development through qualification and acceptance while remaining actively involved in laboratory bring-up test execution troubleshooting and performance characterization. You will coordinate activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams identify and resolve technical issues and communicate test results risks and system readiness to program leadership and internal stakeholders.

The successful candidate will communicate effectively with team members and internal stakeholders both verbally and through written content.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead communication system integration and test. Define and execute test strategies across components subsystems phased-array payloads and end-to-end communication links including interfaces with ground systems.

Develop verification and validation plans. Translate system requirements and mission concepts of operations (CONOPS) into testable acceptance criteria test cases and operational scenarios. Maintain traceability between requirements test procedures results and verification closure.

Own hands-on system bring-up and troubleshooting. Integrate RF hardware antennas digital processing FPGA firmware software modems and data interfaces. Diagnose and resolve issues that affect system functionality interoperability and performance.

Develop automated test capabilities. Create and maintain test scripts software procedures and data-analysis tools to support repeatable characterization regression testing qualification and acceptance testing.

Characterize RF and communication-link performance. Measure and analyze transmit power receiver sensitivity gain noise figure linearity modulation quality spectral performance and bit/packet error rates. Compare measured results with link budgets gain lineups cascade analyses and system models.

Verify phased-array performance. Develop and execute conducted and over-the-air tests to evaluate beam steering beam-pointing accuracy radiation patterns sidelobes polarization and performance across frequency scan angle and operating conditions.

Validate modem and data-layer operation. Test configurations interoperability synchronization throughput latency and error recovery under nominal degraded and boundary conditions.

Develop representative test environments. Define and configure laboratory test benches hardware-in-the-loop setups and channel-emulation capabilities to evaluate system behavior under mission-representative conditions including attenuation propagation delay Doppler and interference.

Lead failure analysis and corrective-action verification. Investigate anomalies isolate root causes across hardware and software interfaces document findings and verify corrective actions through targeted testing and regression coverage.

Support environmental qualification and acceptance. Coordinate communication-system testing with environmental and electromagnetic compatibility teams and assess functionality and performance before during and after testing as applicable.

Lead test readiness and results reviews. Establish entry and exit criteria assess test coverage and data quality document limitations and residual risks and produce technical reports that support system acceptance and readiness decisions.

Drive testability and program execution. Work with design teams component developers and vendors to improve observability diagnostic capabilities and interface test coverage. Define test scope equipment facilities resources schedules and risks for proposals and program planning.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.
11 years of experience in space communications including substantial hands-on experience in communication system integration testing verification and validation
Very strong background in communication theorywith the ability to connect measured system behavior to modulation coding synchronization channel effects and link performance.
Deep understanding of RF concept impairments and their effects on communication performance with demonstrated experience characterizing and troubleshooting RF signal chains.
Hands-on experience with RF and digital test equipment such as spectrum and vector signal analyzers signal generators network analyzers power meters oscilloscopes and communication test sets. Understanding of calibration measurement uncertainty and test repeatability .
Experience developing test plans procedures acceptance criteria verification matrices and technical reports including requirements management flow-down and traceability.
Experience with at least one scripting and one programming language (ideally Python & C) for test automation equipment control data collection and analysis.
Practical experience integrating testing and debugging FPGA-based systems and modern vector processing engines.
Experience with satellite communication standards including NR NTN DVB-S2X and CCSDS and the ability to translate applicable requirements into test cases and verification evidence.
Experience working with classified communication systems and red/black architectures as well as experience with optical communication systems
Ability to hold a security clearance.
Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
Ability to define work direction track milestones and demonstrate progress on large open-ended projects.
Sense of urgency with the ability to work well under pressure.
The ability to work well in teams with peers and management.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the role and associated responsibilities a candidates work experience education/training and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health dental vision HSA FSA life disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace color religion sex national origin disability protected Veteran Status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.

Required Experience:

Staff IC

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