Satellite Communications Engineer

Location: Chantilly, VA

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

We’re seeking a communications engineer to support mission-critical communications for national security and intelligence operations. You will conduct research, develop innovative solutions, and analyze advanced satellite communication systems to enable design, development, and integration for secure, reliable data, voice, or video transmissions.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, aerospace engineering, or related field.
• At least 12 or more years of experience in satellite communications engineering, preferably supporting defense or intelligence programs.
• Lead research and development of novel satellite communication technologies for national security applications.
• Perform system-level analysis, link budget calculations, and simulations to optimize performance under operational constraints.
• Integrate satellite communications with ground stations, mobile platforms, and other defense assets.
• Analyze and resolve technical issues in deployed systems, including RF interference and encryption challenges.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including government and contractor personnel, to ensure mission success.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, system architectures, and compliance records.
• Support field testing, validation, and operational deployment of satellite communications hardware and software.
• Provide technical briefings and training to stakeholders and end-users.
• An active TS/SCI with a polygraph security clearance is required to be considered for this position. This position does not offer clearance sponsorship.

Desired:

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, satellite communications, or related discipline.
• Expertise in RF and microwave system design, signal processing, and satellite network engineering.
• Experience in investigating and documenting existing system architectures for defense platforms.
• Subject matter expertise in advanced system concepts related to aerospace, spacecraft, or military communications.
• Experience with DoD acquisition processes and documentation.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

July 6, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.